Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-11-27
Prof. TyndaII not an Atheist.

On tue 2sth ult., Prof. Tyndau delivered
one Of a course Of lectures TO workingmen
at Free Trade hall, Manchester, Eng. His
subject was Crystalline and Molecular
Forces. In the course Of his lecture be
described the mental process by which the
present notion Of force had been acquired.
and the extension Of that notion to the
movements of planets and the vibrations
Of atoms. Hs exhibited by means of the
electric light the capitalization Of sal am
moniac and acetate Of fleaG-experiments
which were among the most snowy Of
those presented to American audiences.
and he referred to other marvels Of na-
ture in the following words: The way ia
which atoms build themselves togethc j.
10 me perfectly astounding. You have
here n play Of power almost as wonderful
as the play Of vitality itself. Perhaps |
may have expressed myself too strongly
in calling this beautiful experiment as
tonishing. Sull I must say, although I
have seen it, to speak moderately. hum
dreds and hundreds Of times, have never
looked upon it without feelings Of aston
ishment. And depend upon it, trust me.
that the revelations of science are not in
the least degree calculated to lessen our
feelings Of astonishmeut. We are sur
rounded by wonders and mysteries every
where. have sometimes-uot sometimes
but cfien-iu the spring tide watched the
advance oil the sproutng leaves, and Of the
grass, and Of the flowers. and observed the
genera joy Of opening life in nature. and
have asked myself this question--Can it
be that there is no being or thing in nature
that knows more about these matters than
do? Do l in my ignorance represent the
highest knowledge Of these things existing
in this universe. Ladies and gentlemen.
the man who puts that question TO himself
if he is not a shallow man, if be he a man
capable Of being penetrated by profound
thought, will never answer the question
by protesting the creed Of Atheism, which
has been 81 lightly attributed to me.
will only detain you one moment more.
Everywhere throughout our planet We no.
lice this tendency of the ultimate particles
Of matter 10 run into symmelric forms.
The very molecules appear inspired with
a desire for union aud growth. and the
question Of questions at the present day is.
and it is one fear which will not be solv-
ed in our day. hut will continue to agilate
and occupy thinking mind. after we have
departed, this question of questions is how
far does this wondrous display Of mole
cular force extend. Does it give the move
ment of the sap Of trees? l 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 de-
pends? This is a point on which l offer
no opinion, tonight. I have brought YOU
to the edge Of battlefield. into which I
don't intend To enter. aud r,oni ~ hic!I
have barely escaped somew hat besratter-
ed and begrimed, but without much loss
Of hear; or hope. It now only remains for
Inc not to enter this battlefield, but to
point out TO you the position of the con-
tending hosts. You can pass on bv almost
lmpereeptlb.e -radations from this won
derIul display Of force that l have been
able to make manifest to your ewes here
tonight, TO the lowest forms of vegetable
life. You pass frOm them TO other forms
higher, and So up to the highest. I have
SItion Is this: One class of thinkers sup
poses that these actions Of crystals that
you have seen formed before YOU, the pas-
sage from that crystalline action to the
lowest forms of life, and from them to
higher forms up to the highest-I saw one
class of thinkers regards this as the growth
OF single natural process. They gasp as
it were, this act Of life, this development Of
life, as an indissoubly connected whole,
one great organic growth from the begin
ming. Others again say that it is not pos
s!ole to pass from inorganic, as we are
! pleased TO call it-for remember it is onlv
! human language we can use-from the in
organic to the organic without a distinct
| creative act and SO with regard to the
| forms that we observe only in the fos-
sil world. These forms, it is alleged, or
! considered, also require for their introduce
ton special creative acts. Here there are
two perfectly distinct positions. and if YOU
! look abroad you will find men Of equal
honesty, equal earneslness, equal intelli-
Sence, ranking themselves on two oppo-
site sides in relation to this question.
| Which are right and which are wrong is,
submit, question for grave considera-
| tion, aud 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 skepticism.
1t is not always those who are charged
with skepticism that are the real skeptics-
aud confess it is matter Of some grief to
me to see able, useful and coura Ceous men
running TO and fro upon the earth, wiring
ing their hands over the threatened de-
sIruction of their ideals. | would say, II
l dared to such men; would exhort
them TO cast out this skepticism. for this
fear has its root in skepticism. In the hu.
man mind We have the substratum of all
ideals, and rs surely as string responds tC
string when the proper note is sounded
so surely, when words of truth and noble
ness are uttered by living human soul
will those words have resonant response
in other souls aud in this faith l abide
and in this way leave the question.
GERMAN PRovERBs.-Crooked wood
makes straight fire.
Luck is round hold on to virtue.
Asses sing badly because they pitch ic
high.
Ten highwaymen cannot pull shirt of
naked mans back.
God is ySrywhere-except in Rome FOL
there he hasa vicar.
Better to deal with a whole fool thar
with half one.
The ass carries corn to mill, and get
thisues.
When all other sins grow old avarlce il
VOupu.