The Very Greatness Proves Our Impotence To Grasp It, Proves
The Futility Of Our Speculations, And Should Help Us Best Of
All Though Outwardly So Appalling, To Stand Calm While The
Snake Of Unbelief Writhes Beneath Our Feet.
The unutterable
insignificance of man and his little world connotes the
infinity which leaves his possibilities as limitless as
itself.
Spectrology informs us that the chemical elements of matter
are everywhere the same; and in a boundless universe where
such unity is manifested there must be conditions similar to
those which support life here. It is impossible to doubt, on
these grounds alone, that life does exist elsewhere. Were we
rashly to assume from scientific data that no form of animal
life could obtain except under conditions similar to our own,
would not reason rebel at such an inference, on the mere
ground that to assume that there is no conscious being in the
universe save man, is incomparably more unwarrantable, and in
itself incredible?
Admitting, then, the hypothesis of the universal distribution
of life, has anyone the hardihood to believe that this is
either the best or worst of worlds? Must we not suppose that
life exists in every stage of progress, in every state of
imperfection, and, conversely, of advancement? Have we still
the audacity to believe with the ancient Israelites, or as
the Church of Rome believed only three centuries ago, that
the universe was made for us, and we its centre? Or must we
not believe that - infinity given - the stages and degrees of
life are infinite as their conditions?
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