411 
“ That which seems moving proves to be stationary, that which seem3 
stationary proves to be moving ; while that which we conclude to be going 
rapidly in one direction turns out to be going much more rapidly in the 
opposite way. What we are conscious of is not the real motion of any 
object, but merely its motion as measured from some assigned position. We 
take for granted that there are fixed points in space, with respect to which 
all motions are absolute, and we find it impossible to rid ourselves of the 
idea. Nevertheless, absolute motion cannot even be imagined, much less 
known. All we can assert is that space is a relative reality, that our 
consciousness of this unchanging relative reality implies an absolute 
reality, equally unchanging, as far as we are concerned, and the relative 
reality may be unhesitatingly accepted in thought as a valid basis of our 
reasonings.” 
24. The doctrine of Newton is plain and simple, that there is 
an absolute space and motion, though we have never seen or known 
one, or witnessed the other. Mr. Spencer’s is ambiguous. Space 
and motion, he says, are relative realities, and absolute space and 
motion cannot even be imagined, and still we cannot help believing 
in their reality. They are forms of the Unknowable. Yet we may 
know, without any doubt, that they are truly represented by rela- 
tive space and motion. These, however, are all that experience 
presents to us, or our imagination can conceive. 
25. The Bible statements and popular language are thus to be 
condemned as unscientific and erroneous on this ground. We 
must take for granted an idea, of which, Mr. Spencer says, we 
cannot rid ourselves, but which, he further says, cannot be 
imagined, much less known. This seems a very precarious basis 
for an indictment of systematic error against the Word of God, 
and the customary speech of all mankind. Is it not worth while 
to look at the matter more closely, and see whether, after all, the 
mistake and illusion may not be on the other side ? 
26. The idea of relative place and motion is simple and easy. 
Let us conceive a thousand material objects, each having a distinct 
place.. There will then be nearly half a million distances and 
directions. If one of these bodies be moved, its distance from all 
the rest and their distances from it will be changed, but all the 
other distances will be unchanged. The relative changes are 
plainly mutual. If A recede from the rest, they must at the 
same time recede from it also. If four hundred keep their place 
relative of each other, and recede from the other six hundred, the 
idea is almost forced upon us that both sets are in motion, receding 
from the centre of gravity of the entire group of a thousand 
bodies. 
27. How, then, are we to define absolute motion ? It must be 
change of place with regard to no one real object, nor any number 
