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ably conclude ? Simply this, that there is law in the universe 
independent of him, and of his will. And when, hy inquiry, he 
finds that such is the fact throughout all history, he becomes 
finally convinced that everywhere and at all times in the 
physical world, there is law independent of the will of the 
creature, law which somehow or other asserts, defends, and 
avenges itself. 
What is law ? Law, say the philosophers, is another and 
convenient name for an invariable order, or change, or for a 
method of action, — an order, change, and method which are 
natural and invariable, and, as we may discover, indispensable. 
We learn what law is by observation ; and, when observation has 
been sufficiently long, extended, and exact, we can make safe 
decisions about it. Wliat always happens in the same circum- 
stances happens according to law. Bodies fall through space, 
or they assume definite shapes, or they attract or repel each 
other according to law. Everywhere and in all things there 
is law. 
Whence comes law ? As we have seen it does not administer 
itself. As Mr. Fitzjames Stephen has well written in the Con- 
temporary Review of May last , — “ This idea of law does not, and 
indeed cannot stand alone. It involves other ideas of right, 
duty, sanction, and sovereignty.” Now, if we are told that 
physical law involves no moral ideas of right or duty, we cannot 
be told, with reason, that it involves none of sanction and sove- 
reignty. If there be law, the mind, by inherent impulse, refers 
to sovereignty, and to the sanction of sovereignty, in some 
form. “ Yes,” Dr. Tyndall would interpose, “ but science and 
experiment do not uncover any such thing.” Perhaps not, I 
answer, but I am free to use my reason, — nay, if I please, my 
imagination, — but here reason and logic are quite sufficient. If 
there be sovereignty and sanction, there must be ideas of will 
and power. We cannot put away these ideas. And further, if, 
as scientific men affirm, there can be no caprice, law proclaims 
method. Now, call the depository of power a personality or not ; 
call the power and will which create order and use method the 
elements of a personality or not — the mind can have no rest or 
satisfaction until it ascribes them or assigns them to an entity, 
a substance, a living, knowing thing like itself. Mind implies 
mind. Mind declares mind. The human will points to the 
Infinite will ; human reason to the Supreme reason ; human 
intelligence to the Absolute source of all knowledge, which is 
immanent in, but independent of all nature. Nay, take the 
most familiar of all ideas of the position — the scientific man 
above all others — the idea that lie is the contemplator of a 
