38 
be understood. It is accepted by those who are ignorant of 
Science, its adversaries maintain, because they are not familiar 
with the solutions of the difficulties of Nature which Science 
supplies. But so far is this from being true that the effect 
of Science is to lead us to more serious difficulties and more 
incomprehensible mysteries than any of those which it solves. 
The proof of this I must assume here ; but I will use the words 
of one who will not be suspected of any prejudice in favour 
of Religion. Speaking of ultimate scientific ideas, Mr. H. 
Spencer* says : — 
“ The explication of that which is explicable does but bring out into 
greater clearness the inexplicableness of that which remains behind 
Objective and subjective things” the man of science “ascertains to be alike 
inscrutable in their substance and genesis. In all directions his investiga- 
tions eventually bring him face to face with an insoluble enigma ; and he 
evermore clearly perceives it to be an insoluble enigma. He realises with a 
special vividness the utter incomprehensibleness of the simplest fact con- 
sidered in itself.” 
The complete result then of our argument is, that as the prin- 
ciples of Unity, Order, and Causation, which Science assumes, 
have no adequate and rational basis in those things which 
Science can investigate, and as in all cases in which Science 
traces the principles to the utmost range of its own powers, 
it is brought to that which to the human understanding is 
incomprehensible f ; therefore we must conclude, from the 
teachings of Science itself, that the ultimate basis of all cannot 
be other than an existence incomprehensible to the human 
mind. 
31. This, however, as our previous investigations have shown, 
by no means lands us in agnosticism, any more than Science 
itself does. Science has been found to point continuously in 
the direction of One infinite and almighty Intelligence as the 
only explanation of the principles it requires. That which 
these principles demand is what we know as reason. Indeed, 
apart from all other evidence of this, since reason is mani- 
* First Principles, second edition, p. 66. 
t The universe is infinitely wide ; 
And conquering Reason, if self-glorified, 
Can nowhere move uncrossed by some new wall 
Or gulf of mystery ; which thou alone, 
Imaginative Faith ! canst overleap 
In progress towards the fount of Love, — the throne 
Of Power, whose ministers the records keep 
Of periods fixed and laws established, less 
Flesh to exalt than prove its nothingness. 
Wordsworth. 
