Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-03-25
An Error Corrected.


A few weeks ago editor E. R.
Johnston, of the Cumberland Courier,
asked
Is time portion of eternity in the same
sense that one foot is part of all that is under
stood as the line of which the foot is part in
both directions?
P. O'Rourke, of Mt. Savage, replies
negatively, by saying:
Time is not portion of eternity; for if it
were eternity would not be eternity, duration
without end. Time is an arbitrary ex-
preston, denoting duration, as second,
month or year, anyone of which may be in.
creased or diminished; it is Unreasonable.
AS 0 Plus equals 0, 0 minus l equals 0; so
eternity plus time equals eternity eternity
minus time equals eternity. The earth is in
space, but is not part of space; so time is
in eternity, but is not part of eternity.
Without expressly affirming that Mr..
O'Rourke's "answer' is correct, Mr..
Johnston says it is "the best received"
Whatever its metaphysical value
may be, comparatively considered, it
is quite certain, however, that Mr..
O'Rourke's conclusion is erroneous.
Both thine" and eternity" are alb
stract terms, the latter but little more
indefinite than the former.
Cline" therefore, is not an ''ar-
bitrary expression" in itself, but its
cycles, typical of eternity, and seq
ments of cycles, suggestive of itself,
may be, but it is to be doubted. The
smallest recognized cycle in time is
day ; hence, day is not an "arbi-
trary expression" definitive of some
thing that may be Increased or
diminished. Hours, minutes and
seconds are not cycles, but aliquotic
designations of the smallest cyclic
measurement of duration, which can
not be increased or diminished" with
out corresponding diminution or
augmentation of aliquots.
Indeed, we do not know that the
thing called "time" ever had be-
ginning, nor do we certainly know it
will ever end. With faith in Revela-
ton we may accept both the history
which concerns its commencement and
the prophecy of its collapse, but with
equal confidence in the indestruct.
Utility of matter we may not. "Time"
and "eternity," therefore, may be,
concretely, equivalent terms.
But whether they are or not, it is
mistake to affirm that "time is not a
part of eternity" If one means limit
ed duration and the other duration
without limit" the latter must include
the former. Otherwise, the tendency
of time, intermitting the coinage of
eternity, robs the latter of its essential
quality. ''Eternity'is thinkable with
out the idea of 'time," but "time'
cannot be conceived other than as
repeating decimal" of eternity"
1t is equally erroneous to say that the
earth sis not a part of space" a no.
ton proceeding. doubtless, from the
artificial distinction occasioned by oc-
cupancy and apparent vacuity.
tall space is occupied. Mature"
throughout her boundless realm "ab-
hors cacuum." Just above the alta.
atmospheric region, and in the inter-
stellar domains, is the fathomless res
ervoir of that subtle but omnipotent
instrument of the Almighty's will,
which, at rest, holds in suspension the
solids of all systems, and, in exercise,
propels them along their orbits that
substance which is 1.-The power behind
the throne" of all vitality which pre-
sides in all the offices of motion which
energies centrifugal impulse and mod
crates centripetal affinity which, in
brief, linking mind and matter, epito-
mizes cosmos in man and makes the
universe the visible adumbration of
the invisible God.
'"Time" Is an indefinite particle of
the everything "earth" of the infinite.
thine" is measured by cyclic divisions
corresponding with degrees of longi-
tude; "earth'' angles longitude with
tropic, temperate and polar parallels.
Time is the unwasting MONDAY of a
sphere ungirdled; "earth'' the per-
petual equinox of an orb unzoned.