The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-28

right solution for such an observer would be the
recognition OF some unknown agency or agent.
IT must be admitted that explanation in
terms OF a vague entity called vital force would
be useless and might be so worded to be
misleading; whereas a statement In terms OF
mechanics and physics could be clear and
definite and true as far as 1t went, though 1t
must necessarily be incomplete.
but, 1t will be said, this is unfair. for We
know that there is design in the Forth Bridge
Of the Nile Dam; we have seen the plans and
understand the agencies at work We know that
It was conceived and guided by life and mind
II Is unfair to quote this though it could
simulate an automatic process.
Not at all Say the extreme school OF bolo-
gsts whom am criticising, or ought to say II
they ere consistent, there is nothing but chem.
istry and physics at work anywhere: and the
men;al activity apparently demonstrated by
those structures is only an illusion. an
epiphenomenon; the laws OF chemistry and
physics are supreme. and they sufficient to
account for eyerythng
Well, they account for things up to point;
they account in part for the color of sunset
Tor the majesty OF mountain peak, for tho
glory of animate existence. But do they &C.
count Tor everything completely? Do they
count for our own feeling of JOY and eXaltation
Tor our sense of beauty, for the manifest beauty
existing throughout nature? Do not these
things suggest something higher and nober
and more joyous. something for the sake OF
which all the struggle for existence goes on?
Surely there must be a deeper meaning in
volved In natural objects. Orthodox explana
lions are only partial though true as far as
they CO.. When we examine each particolored
hide, and realize that tho varying shades on
each are SO placed as to contribute to the gen
sral design and pattern. it becomes exceedingly
difficult to explain how this organized
operation OF parts, this harmonious distribu.
ton OF pigment cells, has come about on merely
mechanical principles 1t would be as easy to
explain the sproutng of tine cantileyers of the
Forth Bridge from its piers, or the focking OF
the TN stones of the Nile Dam by chemiotaxis.
fruit tempts animals to eat 1t in order to carry
seeds. But these explanations cannot be final.
we have still to explain the insects. So much
beauty cannot be necessary merely to attract
their attention. We have further to explain
this competitive striving toward life Why do
things struggle to exist? Surely the effort must
have some significance the development some
aim. We thus reach the problem Of existence
itself and the meaning OF evolution
The mechanism whereby existence en-
trenches itself is manifest. or at least has been
to large extent discovered. Natural selection
Is a vera causa, so far as 1t goes but If
much beauty is necessary for insects, wha.
apout the beauty OF landscape or Of clouds?
what unitarian object do those subserve?
beauty In general Is ne. taken into account by
science Very well, that may be all right. but
It exists nevertheless 1t is not my function to
discuss 1t. No; but it is my function to remind
the universe. and that IL we dogmatize in
negative direction and say that we can reduce
everything to physics and chemistry. we gibbet
ourselves as ludicrously narrow pedarts and are
falling far short of the richness and fullness
OF our human birthright. How far preferable
Is the reyerent attitude of the Eastern poet:
The world with eyes bent upon thy feet
stands in awe with all its silent stars"
specifically and physically we are very
limited. Our sense organs are adapted to the
observation of matter, and nothing else d.
tectly appeals to u.s. Our nervemuscle-system
Is adapted to the production of motion in mat.
ter In desired ways, and nothing else IN the
material world can we accomplish. Our brain
and nerve systems connect with the rest OF
the physical world. Our senses give us infor.
nation about the movements and arrange.
ments OF matter. Our muscles enable us to
produce changer In those distributions That
Is our equipment for human life. and human
history is a record OF what we have done with
these parsimonious privileges.
Our brain. which by some means yet to bo
discovered connects us with the rest OF the
material world. has been thought partially to
disconnect us from the mental and spiritual