The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-11-14
Professor Tyndall on His Defence

PROFESSOR Iyndall recently delivered in
Manchester lecture on "Crystalline and
Molecular Forces" In concluding his dis
course, after some beautiful experiments
showing the constructive power of molecular
forces, as following what he might call their
architectural instincts, he said;-
The way which these atoms build them
selves together is 10 me perfectly astounding.
You have here play of power almost as
wonderful as the play of vitality itself. Per-
haps may have expressed myself too strong
ly in calling this beautiful experiment aston
ishing. Still must say, although I have
seen it, to speak moderately, hundreds and
hundreds of times, have never looked upon
it without feelings of astonishment. And de.
pend upon it, trust me. that the revelations
of science are not in the least degree calcula-
ted to lessen our feelings OF establishment.
We are surrounded by wonders and myster-
les everywhere. l have sometimes-not
sometimes. but Often-in the springtide
watched the advance of the sprouting leaves,
and OF the grass and of the flowers, and OBJ
served the general joy of opening life in ma
ture, and have asked myself this question:
Can it be that there is no being or thing in
nature that knows more about these things
than do? Do in my ignorance represent
the highest knowledge of these things exist.
ing in this universeP Ladies and gentlemen,
the man who puts the question to himself If
he be not a shallow man,-if he be man ca
pable of being penetrated by profound
thought, will never answer the question by
protesting the creed of atheism, which has
been so lightly attributed TO me. will only
detain you one moment more. Everywhere
throughout our planet we notice this tenden-
cy of the ultimate particles Of matter to run
into symmetric forms. The very molecules
appear inspired with a desire for union and
growth, and the question of questions at the
present day is, and it is one, l fear, which
will not be solved in our day, but will con-
tinue to agtate and occupy thinking minds
after we have departed, this question of
questions is, How far does this wondrous dis
play of molecular force extend? Does it give
the movement OF the sap of trees? I reply
with confidence, assuredly it does. Does it
give US the beating of our own hearts, the
warmth of our own bodies, the circulation of
our own blood, and all that thereon depends?
This is point on which l offer no opinion
tonight. l have brought you to the edge
of a battlefield, into which I don't
intend to enter, and from which 1
have barely escaped, somewhat spattefed and
begrimmed, but without much loss of heart
or hope. 1t now only remains for me not
to enter this battlefield, but to point out to
yOu buC pOoltlOu VI tuC COutCuuluS uOSlSs
You can pass on by almost imperceptible
gradations from this wonderful display of
foroo that have been able to make manifest
to your eyes here tonight, to the lowest
forms of vegetable life. You pass from them
TO other forms higher, and so up to the
highest. have spoken of contending hosts.
and their position is this: One class Of
thinkers supposes these actions of crys-
tails that you have seen formed before you
the passage from that crystalline action to
the lowest forms of life, and from them to
higher forms up to the highest. I say one
class of thinkers regards this as the growth
of single natural process. They grasp, as
it were, this act of life, this development of
lite as an indissOlubly connected whole, one
great organic growth from the beginning.
Others again say that it is not possible to
pass from Inorganic, as we are pleased to call
it. for remember it is only human language
we can use, from the inorganic to the Or
ganic with distinctive creative act; and so
with regard to the forms that we observe not
only in he fossil world. These forms, it is
alleged, or considered, also require for their
introduction special creative acts. Here
there are two perfectly distinct positions,
and if you look abroad you will find men of
equal honesty, equal earnestness, equal in
telligence, ranging themselves on two oppo-
site sides in relation to this question. Which
are right and which are wrong it, I submit.
a question for grave consideration, and not
for abuse and hard names. ] am afraid that
many OF the fears that are now entertained
on these subjects really have their roots in a
kind OF scepticism. 1t is not always those
who are charged with scepticism that are the
real sceptics; and confess it is matter of
some grief to me to see able, useful and cour-
ageous men running to and fro upon the
earth, wringing their hands over the threat
ened destruction of their ideals. l would
say, if dared, to such men; would exhort
them to cast out such scepticism, for this
fear has its root in scepticism. In the human
mild we have the stratum Of all ideals, and
as surely as string respond to string when the
proper note is sounded, SO surely, when
words OF truth and nobeness are uttered by
living human soul. will those words have
resonant response on other souls; and in
this faith abide and in this way leave the
question,