The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-03
RooL RexiaWa.

| MECHANISM AND PBRsorALrrY---An Outline o.
philosophy in the light OF the latest sTient rn
research. by. Francis A.. Sn0nP, ~. -, - he
fessor OF Analytical Physics, Uniyeraiy Qi We
Sonth. Sewanee, Tenn. CHM Co., publish
ers, Boston, U. B. a. =,
The author of this clever and striking book
was brgader-general in the Coniederalo
States army Afterwards he was niln I9s'i
ofthe Gospel, and now is teaching at I'M Cn l5
versitv of the South. IL Is powerful anu
ORIGINAL study of the problems which CONFRONT
thoughtful persons on all sides. III giauiy
welcomes all of the lights which science
throws upon the mystery OF our eA isl..- -.
The author does not for moment atve,nps ~
discard the conclusions wnich luteneO'It' a
honesty forces upon maniiness; ou1 ~
loo not look upon death with that
avful sadness that drives men OK
tbe STAMP of Colonel IngersoH 70 an
ever the question as 10 WhoVnol
there will be hereafter by saying r. reason
saws. perhaps: hope whispers; yes. lls 5a,i
ofthe GAP which divides mechanism anu COu-
scionsness he grows truly eloquent and says
s'tbat science does not countenance Pulo'
hold atheistic materialism, but on the con;
trarv maintains an ultimate power DenIn y, M
physical phenomena, Nhen lynuaIi
hover among philosophers, can say as he did
10 his audience at Manchester, have not
sometimes. but often. in the springtlme, oo-
served the general Joy of opening lie IN ma
ture. and have asked myself the question,
can il be that there Is no being IN nature tnat
knows more about these things than do;
DO in my ignorance represent
the highest knowledge Of these
things existing in the universe? Ladies and
gentlemen the man that puts that question
fairly TO himself. if he be not shallow man,
if he be man capable of being penetrated by
profound thought, will never answer the cues
ton by protesting that creed OF atheism wLlcn
has been so lightly attributed 70 me. It must
be conceded that rs TO a solution OF the
mystery. science IS as utterly unable 10
respond to the demands OF the rules OF evil
dence az religion itsef f. Nj. Pasteur. the great
Frenehman. uses language substantially alike
Tyndalrs, for upon taking his place IN the
French Academy he spoke 10 that great body
of sayants as follows Beyond the starry
vault above us, what is there: Other starry
skies. Well, and beyond those? The human
mind swayed by an invncible impulse, Will
never cease TO inquire what there IS beyond
and there is no point in time and space which
can set at rest the implacable question"
The book is a careful and palnstaklng study
OF the evidences of Immortality viewed from
a strictly scientific standpoint. General
Shoup welcomes all of the trophies which now
adOrn the flagstaff of science. but along WIN
it all he is what every honest, faithful man
should be- an 0ptimist. He shows IN most
healthy way how all that man can DO Ill tue
field now must always yield % the minute;
He no heartless SCOOTER like Glbbon. nor colu
and vicious reasoner such as David Hume.
but he examines what they all have to say
and gives an unanswerabe opinion against
them His soldiers training has made 1nStss G tbe
most manful battle. and his arguments VIII
carry CONVICTION o to 9an and FAINT Hs@
9snins Of modern England, Disraell,
walked in upon aobsd di S black ' SeIT5t
ebooting coat and wide-awake hat and
when called arose and o made the f1 GRT
tianitv. and said, among other things W nat
is the ouesti0n now placed before society,
with a glib assurance the most astounding
The question is this: Is man an ape or an angel:
/. NV Lord. am on the side Of the angels
To a person Of deep convictions TINS sort OF
treatment of so grave subject las somet1lns
shocking in it. 1t carries no weight, nor does
it do any good. The author of Mechanism
and Personality" approaches his subject with
distinguished ability and with the loving rev
erence which it deserves. To him death has
its sadness, but not that inexpressible grief
which must always overwhelm the mind OF
one who regards it as an eternal parting.