The Washington times., 1922-01-15
By Sir Oliver Lodge,

THROUGH no action of our own we
have been accommodated with ma
terial body, composed of a varying
assemblage Of atoms of matter, wherein to
develop and grow an individuality or per-
sistent personal character
The opportunity so afforded us lasts as
long as the material instrument continues
in good order. It may be shattered by an
accident or a crime. or il may be injured
by pOisons secreted by those parasitic OF
ganisms which are commonly known as
disease-germs, or il may simply wear out
and cease to work. Under such circum-
stances the personality so far developed is
set free and continues as best It can with
out either help or hindrance from the ma
teriaI vehicle which has served It's turn
and which was automatically constructed
for its use and training
This episode OF incarnation This oppor
tunity for terrestrial existence in assocta'
ton with matter Is evidently to be appre
ciated as one OF high importance in the
total scheme-of which we know SO ntle;
and it is universally regarded repre-
hensible in the extreme to do anything that
shall curtail the laborious opportunity so
provided. Whether a second chance Is
ever accorded to an undeveloped person
ality, is a subject open for discussion: but
anything like a conclusion is AZ presen'
very uncertain
Many. perhaps most. think that the on
portunity is unique and cannot be repeated
On the other hand. some there are who
think that incarnation is often repeated.
and that a gradual rise OF the individual in
the scale Of existence is thus accomplished
Let US leave the question open. Until we
know more. safety lies in The middle path
It seems to me likely that second oppor
tunity may be permitted under exceptional
circumstances, but that reincarnation can
not be counted upon nor arranged for All
know is that existence undoubtedly con.
tinues; and suspect that the special op
portunities afforded by association with
matter are not likely to recur.
If that be so. Nervousness Of murder is
amply accounted for; and self-murder is
only one degree less criminal than the
murder OF another In either case the
period allowed for terrestrial life is VIC
lently cut short: and irreparable injury
may be done to a growing and developing
personality
Why should anyone attempt such a
thing? The usual excuse is-a fit of mad
ness But such madness may be the re
suit of untrammelled longcultivated pas
sion, and therefore may be essentially
blameworthy Self.injury is unnatural,
though In certain moods II is possible. No
one surely wishes to injure himself not his
essential self He may mutilate his body.
he may try to destroy 1t, but 1t must be
because he thinks he sees the way to some
higher good or some lesser evil Or he may
mistakenly think that he can secure eternal
Inconsistencies and determination, and
thus end both his joys and sorrows But
the Inconsistencies sought will only be
temporary.
A person in violent unbearable pain, or
smitten with an incurable disease, or-as
we have seen IN the war-so shattered as
to be a useless and helpless hulk. may seek
release from suffering not only by TEN
porary Inconsistencies, as by drugs, but
by what is thought to be the permanent
Inconsistencies OF the grave Piteous in.
deed II Is TO hear of soldier deprived Of