The San Francisco call., 1896-10-11
Do Things ~Just Happen" "
Without Cause?

Have you ever thought of the relation
which may exist between what we are ac-
Gust omed to call ''mere condolences? A
phrase like this explains nothing, but
simply notes that occurrences which seem
to have no connection with each other,
startles attention.
You are sitting in idle reverie and the
image of friend comes vividly into your
mind, perhaps in connection with some
unknown event. Later you learn that at
the very time you were thinking of him
he did pass through that experience and
wished that you were with him. Or you
arise some morning with an inner convic-
ton that relative has died. He was
well when you last heard of him. There
is apparently no reason why you should
suppose he has passed from life, but you
believe it, Notwithstanding these facts.
In few days inform alton comes that he
died on the night when your impression
was received. Are these cases ''mere CO.
incidences"
1t has been observed that crime fre-
quently becomes epidemic after the COM
mission of some deed which excites gen.
eraI horror. Is this again only coinci-
dence? Wars, panics and pestilences are
said to recur generally. Are these ''coin-
cidences" too? A thousand illustrations
might be cited of concurring events and
rrlo foo oto oxxy,i ofr 70
escape observation, but whose significance
is evaded for lack of explanation by the
repetition of phrase. Surely it is peril
nent to inquire if there may not be some
reason why they coincide? We may
properly question too whether circum-
stances are ever due to chance.
The idea that anything happens seems
oddly out of place in a world confessedly
governed by laws. From the smoothing
of a pebble to the evolution of mind order
prevails in natural processes. The connec-
ton between cause and effect is always
maintained. Each kingdom claims it's
own and puts forth no unrelated thing.
Law governs the formation of a globe
from ire-mist, evolving it's various ele-
ments by orderly means that permit no
chance results, no causeIess changes.
The millions of existing creatures are
under its sway. Law makes the rain to
fall and the mist to mount upward. 1t
causes fire to consume and light to speed
forth into space. Even the shifting wind
obeys the path way it has traced. Where,
! then, does the element of chance enter
into natures domain?
We may be told that while law GER
tainly does control the phenomena of this
material world, it has nothing to do with
such concerns as have been suggested.
| Such reply, although clearly an as
sumption, is perhaps justified by the
| present state of scientific attainment The
| laws of matter have been carefully in
| vestigated, but the realm of causes imma-
terial has escaped observation. No laws
have been discovered therein; conse-
| quently it is assumed that none exist.
| But the widespread interest in mental
phenomena which has been developed
during the past decade or two has grad
ually led up to different view. The in
| visible is no longer the non- existent. The
tangible is not the only real. So many
unsuspected, or at least discredited,
powers of mind have been disclosed that a
solution is now readily given to problems
which had long rem aimed inscrutable mys-
| teries. In some cases scientific expert
ment has proven the reality of these
powers, as that of suggestion, so amply
demonstrated in hypnotic practice. Other
cases have been as well verified by private
investigation, leaving no room for doubt
in tho minds of candid aypiorars that
mental powers include a capacity to act
beyond the confines of the brain. A whole
series of marvellous possibilities has been