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have produced all the diverse and most definite forms of

crystallization, which are characteristic of different minerals,

are for us mysterious.

Any and every such object demands a cause for its actually

being in the place it is, at the time it is there, for its size, its

shape, etc., and for all its relations to surrounding things,

as well as for any special qualities of its own internal condi-

tions. These special conditions would demand a cause, even

if such a body existed alone and by itself in an otherwise

empty universe if we may permit ourselves to frame for

a moment so absurd an hypothesis.

Therefore, everything which can be seen not to contain

a sufficient cause for its own existence within itself, must be

due to some cause or causes external to it. Nothing which is

composite, capable of division, or which gives evidence of

having had a beginning, can be so seen to contain within

itself a sufficient cause for its being.

Moreover, this perception of the necessity of causation is

not, as before said, the mere result of a mental impotence of

the imagination it is not a negative inability to imagine a

complex thing uncaused but a positive and active power

of perception. Let the reader first consider his own idea

of a stone of some definite shape and size, made of two or

more mineral substances. Then let him ask himself whether

he does not actively and positively see that its shape and

composition must positively be due to influences of different

kinds, or whether he finds himself merely passive and unable

to help himself to an actively intelligent conviction on the

subject.

The idea of a " cause " is closely connected with the con-

ception of " power " or " force " ideas gained through our

own personal experience. When we make strenuous efforts,

or are overborne by the active energy of somebody or some-

thing else, we have this experience. We know, also, our own

have produced all the diverse and most definite forms of

crystallization, which are characteristic of different minerals,

are for us mysterious.

Any and every such object demands a cause for its actually

being in the place it is, at the time it is there, for its size, its

shape, etc., and for all its relations to surrounding things,

as well as for any special qualities of its own internal condi-

tions. These special conditions would demand a cause, even

if such a body existed alone and by itself in an otherwise

empty universe if we may permit ourselves to frame for

a moment so absurd an hypothesis.

Therefore, everything which can be seen not to contain

a sufficient cause for its own existence within itself, must be

due to some cause or causes external to it. Nothing which is

composite, capable of division, or which gives evidence of

having had a beginning, can be so seen to contain within

itself a sufficient cause for its being.

Moreover, this perception of the necessity of causation is

not, as before said, the mere result of a mental impotence of

the imagination it is not a negative inability to imagine a

complex thing uncaused but a positive and active power

of perception. Let the reader first consider his own idea

of a stone of some definite shape and size, made of two or

more mineral substances. Then let him ask himself whether

he does not actively and positively see that its shape and

composition must positively be due to influences of different

kinds, or whether he finds himself merely passive and unable

to help himself to an actively intelligent conviction on the

subject.

The idea of a " cause " is closely connected with the con-

ception of " power " or " force " ideas gained through our

own personal experience. When we make strenuous efforts,

or are overborne by the active energy of somebody or some-

thing else, we have this experience. We know, also, our own