The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-20

either one of them. They are not
known through sensation or con-
seriousness. The process of knowing
them is purely metaphysical and
speculative. 1t is rational. They
are known as the result of the exer-
else of our reason. Their existence
is assumed as necessary to give ra-
tional explanation of the phenomena
of nature.
1t is scientific proof by the solution
of a problem, and not by the demon
stration of theorem. It is by the
same method we prove the existence
of God, the human soul, and divine
moral government.
We cannot explain the physical,
vital, mental, social, moral, and re-
ligious phenomena of the world
without these assumptions. The
proof is rational, scientific, inductive,
conclusive, but metaphysical.
The materialist try to press modern
science into the service of their phil
osophy by claiming that it is destruc
tive to all dualism in nature. It is
true that science seeks unity, but it
is not physical unity in one material
substance which it seeks. Science is
the thought Interpretation of the uni
verse, and it seeks in nature unity of
thought, plan, purpose and law, and
not of substance. The elements of
science are rational and not physical.
It is the idealization of nature. Its
object is to rationalize the universe.
To find the reason for, and not the
original cause of, its phenomena. 1t
seeks to find the laws, relations and
adjustment of things. Man has
created science. The rational human
soul interprets nature, and it does
this in the light of it's own conscious
ness, reason, intuitions, and expert
ence. The function of science is
spiritual one.
It's mission in the world is educa-
tional, moral and benevolent. Its
work in society is to make men wiser,
better and happier. None of its tri-
.umphs are in the interest of material
ism. It's victories are not victories
of matter, but of mind. It's results
show that the soul controls the body,
mind uses matter, and man appropri-
ates the elements and forces of nature.
But suppose science should de-
monstrate the existence of but one
substance in the universe and show
that all things are rooted and
grounded in it; how could material
lists prove that this substance was
matters What evidence could they
present to show that this one univer-
sal substance is not spirits This is
the opinion of many able scientists
and philosophers.
The claim of materialists that sci
ence demands certainty not only in
regard to present but future events,
SO as to give man provision of the fu-
ture, is not justified by the nature,
the method, or the functions of sci
ence. Science is acknowledgement alb
solute, but probable and progressive.
This is evident from the fact that alb
solute knowledge is impossible to the
finite mind. Man is finite being;
science is finite process and never
gives uncertain provision. So it is
not necessary to the truth of science,
that there should be introduced into
life such AN element of physical de-
terminism as would destroy mans
freedom of choice, volition and ac-
tion, and bring human life, conduct
and character under the control of
physical law. This would contra
dict mans consciousness and con-
science, abrogate moral law, derange
the moral order of society, and in
troduce social anarchy in the world.
The function of science is not to
teach how others will act in the fu-
ture, but to instruct us in our present
duties, obligations and interest. The
lessons of science are largely for this
world and this life. 1t does not pro-
pose to make us prophets and teach
us how to predict future events, but
to make us the teachers of men and
women, by precept and example,
here and now. This is the great
work.
Materialism puts us, as far as a
philosophy of being and life can do
SO, on the animal plane. If this phil
osophy is true man is an animal of
the same quality of being as the
brute. 1t is his nature to live in the