The affairs of this world are managed in
the light of history. It is technically called precedent. There is yet
no history of astronomy. In the desired actual placing of the present
positions of the stars there would be a record which, 25,868 years
hence, would enable the observer of those times to accurately measure
movements of the earth now beyond mortal ken for lack of history. By
the character of those movements, the force, speed, heat, and
OTHER QUALITIES OF GRAVITATION
might possibly be determined. Now I cannot connect the idea of
selfishness with this view of the aspirations of humanity. Proctor and
Airy absolutely know that they will be forgotten so far out in on-coming
time, but still they drudge away, in the belief that man can only
acquire knowledge of God's works as the coral reef attains continental
proportions--that is, by the infinitesimal contributions of countless
unselfish individualities. They are desirous that man should some day
know the truth. Is there any unselfishness in the aspiration?
THE ATHEIST
says: "First and last of all, we have no idea of anything beyond, above,
or superior to these curious bodies of ours.
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