133 
because what is wanted is not infinite space, or infinite linear 
projection, but infinite personality, or being. But, although 
nothing better than this is offered in proof, it is assumed that 
the position is established. And from the existence of “semi- 
tangible objects, such as trees, mountains, rivers, the sea, the 
earth,” which are supposed to contain sensuous elements of 
infinitude, Mr. Muller tells us, “ These objects supply the 
material for what I shall propose to call semi-deities ; ” while 
of “ intangible objects , such as the sky, the stars, the sun, the 
dawn, the moon,” we are told that “in these we have the 
germs of what hereafter we shall have to call by the name of 
deities ” * Let us here take notice, that all these are material 
things of which, by hypothesis, our senses inform us, and yet 
they are the semi- deities and the germs of deities, which man 
has to find for himself, and to which he is to affix the predicate 
God. 
Having indicated an unlimited source for the supply of 
gods, our lecturer proceeds to show how their names were 
obtained. And here we have some curious speculations as to 
the origin of language, on which we should make no remark 
but that the origin and growth of language is, in these 
lectures, represented as mixed up with, or travelling in lines 
parallel to, the origin and growth of religion. We are told 
that 
“ Language breaks out first in action. Some of the simplest acts, such as 
striking, rubbing, pushing, throwing, cutting, &c., were accompanied then, 
as they frequently are even now, by certain involuntary sounds — sounds at 
first very vague and varying, but gradually becoming more and more de- 
finite. At first these sounds would be connected with the acts only. Mar, 
for instance would accompany the act of rubbing, polishing stones, without 
any intention, as yet, of reminding either the speaker or others of anything 
else.” 
After showing how by change of accent mar would become 
an imperative verb, the speculation proceeds : — 
“ After a time, however, a new step would be made. Mar would be found 
useful, not only as an imperative, addressed in common to oneself and others 
{mar * let us work !’); but, if it was found necessary to carry stones that had to 
be smoothed, from one place to another, from the sea-shore to a cave, from 
a chalk-pit to a beehive hut, mar would suffice to signify, not only the stones 
that were brought together to be smoothed and sharpened, but likewise the 
stones which were used for chipping, sharpening, and smoothing.” f 
This is pure theory unsustained by facts, and utterly in- 
consistent with the conditions supposed. First, there is no 
uniform involuntary sound uttered by men in the act of 
* Hibbert Lecture, p. 180. 
f Ibid. pp. 183-4. 
