As one looks upon the complex condition surrounding us, and dwells thoughtfully upon the verdict of the senses, the impression is,—there must exist a power, in comparison to which man (mortal mind) sinks into utter insignificance; and yet, to the senses, man has made great and wonderful inventions. Man supposes the primitive cause of all knowledge to be based on material law, and he saps this supposed law for his benefit, receiving for a time, perhaps, a gratification of the desires of sense.
The great English scientist, Professor Tyndall, tells us that all force is derived directly or indirectly from the sun; that in all forms of life the sun is the primeval cause; that heat is a mode of motion; that thought is merely the clashing together of molecules in the brain, induced by latent heat received in some manner from the solar lays. As to the modus operandi of this force, natural scientists are silent.
It is acknowledged at the present day, by our most noted scientific men, that our solar system, as well as other systems in the universe, can be traced back, through successive changes, till a condition is reached, even now to be seen in some part of the heavens, of a primitive source of matter, defined as nebulae,—a state in which (as above stated) our own system appeared at a very remote period, and which is called fire-mist. If the mind of man can trace the world's epochs back to its first material manifestation, fire-mist, there it halts. Mortal mind has found its limit.
