The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-06

wins view of instinct, and as for heredity
he holds that what we term hereditary
influences are due to chemical poison in
the blood. In the treatment Of the diff
cult problem of consciousness he seeks
to show the dependence of intangible
thought upon the brain itself, and de-
votes himself to the task of explaining
the instincts on the basis of the physi-
cal and chemical qualities of protoplasm."
Touching the WILL he will delight the fol-
lowers of Herbert, as he attaches but lit
tie Importance to it, declaring that 1T
is only function of the mechanism of
associated memory" He attacks the
views of the metaphysicians on this
point, holding that their view sis clear
~ the outcome of an illusion due to the
necessary incompleteness of self-obser-
vation'' He holds that the real problem
with which physiology is concerned, 'is
the mechanics of protoplasmic conductlv-
ity,'' problem no longer biological, but
a problem of physical chemistry.
The only specific function of the brain,
or certain parts of it, which we have
been able to find is the activity of asso-
ciative memory" This most incomplete
and very brief reference to his treatment
of the brain, taken in connection. with
his recent utterances respecting the
origin of life, and the means whereby
the action of the heart is sustained indi-
cate far reaching changes in opinions
touching this life, and which will make
radical departures from present methods
of education. The treatment of this sub
iect is wholly materiaiistic. The molding
of character, the formation of habits, the
influence of mind upon mind will still
belong to the duties of instructors of the
young but the process will be physio-
logical, and heimeans employed may be
found in laboratories of physics and
e 80
from the act of a divine creator who
breathes into it (the body or objec) the
breath of life yand it becomes a living
SOIL, but it is simply the result of the
union of certain chemical substances.
1t is a new and startling situa ton, and
for time will doubtless mystify teach
ers. 1t will not lead to immediate and
radical changes in methods of instruc"
ton, but another decade may show an
Increasing conformity to these opinions.
Z Always closely associated with sclen~
tiic discussion is the subject of religion,
not because these two are antagonistic,
but because they are inseparahly. con-
meet. UnquestionabiY many ministers
are adapting themselves to new points
of view announcements of sermons from
texts like the following:
THE Christ of the twentieth century, :,
1.-THE religion of the twentieth century, .
"A twentieth century view of the b.
hle'' indicate the trend of church feeling
and influence. Here are great questions
that must profoundly interest every lover
of mankind Prof. Goodwin Smith, in a
recent issue of the Contemporary Re
view treating of the Genesis and Out
look of Religion under the depressing
influences of the cosmic chill of unbelief,
expresses the opinion that science and
destructive criticism have made every
dogma of the church untenable-eVen
that of a personal deity. He asks: ITO
wards what bourne then is thought, sci
entific and critical, tending?" 1t is ap-
parently tending to the belief from which
our inmost nature recoils, in a uniVersa :
without guidance or plan, the relation Of
man to which can never be known "
Prof Smith is not materialist, holding
that the word law implies a law maker
and that its use by rationalists hides
a fallacy." I'm the universe revealed by
science he says, "hlind chance under
the form of evolution, rather than any
determining authority seems to reign. .
His belief is that Christianity is already
far advanced towards extinction. He Is
profoundly gloomy. and is unable to
speak hopefully of the future He is an
authority that surely no one can ridi-
cule or ignore. What are the problems
then confronting teachers today? In
what spirit should their solution be un-
derraken, and what preparation should
the teachers make? / shall not answer
these questions, but they are funda-
mental, and no teacher can refuse to
consider them. Having merely suggested
them I shall take up practical affairs in
my next. A. J. Smith.