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LIBRARY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA. 
 
 Accession 516.7.9.2 Class ... 
 
An Essay on Creation. 
 
AN ESSAY 
 
 ON 
 
 CREATION 
 
 COMPREHENDING THE 
 
 BEGINNING, COURSE, AND END 
 OF TIME 
 
 JOSEPH W. McEwEN, MJX 
 
 PHILADELPHIA. NEW YOBK. CHICAGO 
 
 THE F. A. DAVIS COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 
 1900 
 
Af 13 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1900, 
 
 >r 
 JOSEPH W. McEWEN, M.D. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 INTRODUCTION, 5 
 
 OBIGIN OF THE PLANET, 7 
 
 LIFE DEVELOPMENT, 11 
 
 COMMINGLE OF COUNTERPAET GERMS ESSENTIAL TO 
 
 LIFE DEVELOPMENT, 16 
 
 APPROXIMATION OF TIME SINCE THE INITIATION OF 
 
 FIRST LIFE, 20 
 
 CLASS LIFE DEVELOPMENT, 23 
 
 NATURE'S METHODS OF PROTECTION AND DEFENSE, . 29 
 
 NATURE'S DEFENSE AGAINST DISEASE, ... 32 
 
 DESTRUCTIVE VITALITY, 37 
 
 AIR NOT LIFE SUPPORTING, 43 
 
 A RESUME OF VITALIZATION, 48 
 
 ORIGIN OF MINERALS, 52 
 
 FORMATIONS OF GAS AND OIL, 55 
 
 PURE CARBON, OR THE DIAMOND, .... 57 
 METALLIC MINERAL FORMATIONS, . . . .61 
 
 PHYSICAL SURFACE CONSTRUCTION, ... 65 
 
 PHILOSOPHY OF MATTER, 68 
 
 THE RELATIONSHIP OF MIND AND MATTER, . . 71 
 
 (3) 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 BEFORE submitting this essay to the pub- 
 lic, I wish to notice the fact that there is a 
 popular theory antagonizing science with 
 revelation, thereby setting up an incompati- 
 bility which is difficult to reconcile. 
 
 Now, if these premises are well taken, it 
 must be conceded that religion is a matter 
 of personal belief, while philosophy is an 
 established fact, because the operations of 
 nature are self-evident and inconfutable. 
 
 The existence of God, or a supreme ex- 
 ponent possessing unlimited power, coupled 
 with all the attributes necessary to combine 
 perpetuity and supremacy, is the conviction 
 of every true scientist ; on this faith he 
 rests the strongest evidence of natural de- 
 velopment. 
 
 Believing the true God to be a power 
 which holds every operation of nature in the 
 hollow of His hand, guiding and directing 
 their consummation through cycles of all 
 
 (5) 
 
 96792 
 
O INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ages and even beyond, to a period when 
 time will meet and unite with eternity. 
 
 On these conditions, and with the proofs 
 and deductions set forth, I now submit the 
 rest to impartial scrutiny for a verdict. 
 
:\BKvOt 
 
 .,.. ' " 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE PLANET. 
 
 WHEN contemplating nature's methods 
 of consummation, it seems physically pos- 
 sible that there should be concomitant 
 means of bringing about all results, no mat- 
 ter how complicated they may appear. Un- 
 doubtedly a first cause must precede first 
 life; consequently reason ought to be ade- 
 quate to a solution of primary construction 
 of a planet like the one we now inhabit, 
 when bringing into account the millions of 
 other planets which have preceded ours, 
 and have for numberless years been spin- 
 ning their course through space at such a 
 rapid rate ; it would appear reasonable that 
 there must necessarily be a great amount of 
 stray gases left in their wake. 
 
 The nearest conception of space ex- 
 pressed would be vacuum unbounded ; not- 
 withstanding that this infinite expanse is 
 not absolutely void, its representatives 
 
CREATION. 
 
 are so remote from each other that the 
 distance is almost immeasurable, but to the 
 light of vision they would seem countless. 
 It is reasonable to conjecture that each 
 individual planet is surrounded by an at- 
 mosphere of gaseous compounds corre- 
 sponding to its bigness or bulk, a part of 
 which is continually being detached and 
 left to stray and float about undisturbed, 
 but cannot in any way be returned to the 
 original source, conclusively must be left to 
 remain and further accumulate until by 
 attraction and cohesion they begin to indi- 
 vidualize as a distinct body ; this being 
 once established, the accumulation must be 
 very rapid until a vast dimension may be 
 attained. 
 
 By chemical action, brought about by 
 the contact of different characteristic gases 
 which are most likely to be conglomerated, 
 also by the force of attraction and repul- 
 sion, caused by currents accessory to the 
 influence of other already developed bodies 
 in the course of their circuit, must of 
 necessity develop a most tempestuous com- 
 motion, resulting in a series of electrical 
 
. 
 
 VoFTHfc 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 Of 
 
 ORIGIN OP THE PLANET. 
 
 explosions, which would materialize these 
 aeriform fluids, and develop substance which 
 naturally must gravitate to a center, form- 
 ing a nucleus, giving birth to a globe of 
 molten, seething matter, to be momentarily 
 increased by further explosions from fric- 
 tion, brought about by constant disturbance 
 of the fluids, which on the outer or more 
 remote limits are exceedingly ethereal and 
 intensely frigid. These gases through a 
 natural circulatory process are driven in 
 contact with the glowing heat of the mete- 
 oric mass, then through chemical changes, 
 again are forced back into the surrounding 
 strata, producing a continuous round of 
 circulation; this action continually going 
 on for a period of millions of years could 
 transform these liquids by a gradual proced- 
 ure to a more solid mass, and through the 
 cycles of time would most likely consume 
 all the surrounding pabulum, and in the 
 course of events commence to cool down 
 and form into solids ; also by the admixture 
 of the outer cold strata with the superheated 
 currents near the surface should eventually 
 produce other chemical reactions, sufficient 
 
10 CREATION. 
 
 to generate immense volumes of aqueous 
 vapors ; these, by expansion, must be carried 
 into the surrounding and more remote 
 atmosphere, there to be condensed and 
 changed into water, facilitating a rapid cool- 
 ing down, until by spontaneous evolution 
 the globe would become so tempered as to 
 produce a condition precursory to receiving 
 the influence of that great life-inspiring 
 Power at Whose touch, as by a magical 
 flash, universal vitality burst into an ocean 
 of counterpart living sparks, which set in 
 motion the whole system of life-power, mys- 
 teriously ushering in the dawn of primeval 
 parentage. 
 
 There is but little doubt that comets are 
 nothing short of planets in the incipient 
 stage of development, which in the fullness 
 of time will take their places in the ranks of 
 the celestial multitude, adding other links 
 to that unending chain which bounds the 
 incomprehensible limit of space. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 LIFE DEVELOPMENT. 
 
 THE springing into existence of the pri- 
 mary spark of vitality formed the basis, or 
 foundation, which supports all the varied 
 forms of organic substances. This one 
 touch of nature electrified, animated, cre- 
 ated, and initiated every form of life with 
 as much accuracy as the artist's camera 
 stamps the image by the rays of the same 
 first cause. This universal act was per- 
 formed by a most reasonable and account- 
 able process. Heat and light acting upon 
 and tempering water to a certain condition, 
 causing the nascent state, eventually, as by 
 magic, produced the germs which were sub- 
 sequently requisite to reproduce every form 
 of vitality; consequently establishing, in 
 the twinkling of an eye, the whole of the 
 great fact of First Parentage, all else being 
 the result of time, place, and circumstance. 
 
 (11) 
 
12 CREATION. 
 
 After the first germ is established 
 through the creative process, it follows that 
 development produces a natural store-house 
 for future germination. Fecundation and 
 propagation are the first acts of progressive 
 identity. Each separate germ subsequently 
 forms the basis of a distinct species, or class, 
 and no philosophy can prove that nature 
 diverges from its course ; but reason plainly 
 points out that the original germ tends 
 throughout the course of time to the unerr- 
 ing result, which result must follow after 
 the primary cause without deviation. 
 
 The atom which nature designs to 
 produce (the genus Homo), develops that 
 certain species. The original of a lion 
 grows into a race that must identically fol- 
 low. The same rule carries out in relation 
 to a fish, a fowl, a tree, or a plant. Local- 
 ity with certain degrees of atmospheric 
 influence tends towards facilitating the 
 growth of the numerous varieties of vital 
 productions ; we have ample proofs of these : 
 millions of undeveloped germs that pervade 
 space are capable, under proper conditions, 
 of growing into every conceivable form of 
 
LIFE DEVELOPMENT. 13 
 
 either animate or inanimate life, subject to 
 their original design. 
 
 Each day brings forth advances, and 
 will continue to do so throughout the period 
 of ages, and progression must march onward 
 until perfection bursts the bubble and time 
 will be no more. 
 
 Everything within the bounds of com- 
 prehension must have an initiation and 
 consequently a termination, or a beginning 
 and an ending. As soon as animation 
 sprang forth, it would eventually follow that 
 life must terminate, vitality not being self- 
 supporting, and the planet being, as yet, 
 devoid of organic remains. The conse- 
 quence is that destruction must precede 
 propagation, which conclusively proves that 
 the first animations were of a very ephem- 
 eral character, the stronger forms absorbing 
 the weaker, and, at best, the space of life 
 must have been of exceedingly short dura- 
 tion ; but each repetition brings forth ad- 
 vancement of prolongation and the strength- 
 ening and lengthening of the vital forces as 
 time marches onward towards the period 
 where mind and matter, coupled with reason 
 
14 CREATION. 
 
 and intellect, become the factors in the 
 progress of time's mechanism. 
 
 Although no direct unfolding of the 
 mysteries of the past through revelation by 
 tangible evidences is possible, yet the light 
 of reason is fully capable of following out, 
 link by link, the concatenations of circum- 
 stance, until a chain of evidence may be 
 unraveled, without a single break, to the 
 point where the condition of things waved 
 the magic wand, producing first life, or cre- 
 ating, as it were, a new element, which sub- 
 sequently set into motion the great vital 
 process. The union or selection of the 
 fellow-germs, and the blending together of 
 two atoms of the same class, are the proc- 
 esses of fecundation and fructification 
 results that must of necessity be universal, 
 in order to assure propagation of the differ- 
 ent classes of organic life. These processes, 
 once established, repeat themselves, and 
 increase by the convolutions of time, but 
 carry out the same identity, until a full 
 development is fairly established. 
 
 If each separate class of germs did not 
 accurately maintain its own specific order, 
 
LIFE DEVELOPMENT. 15 
 
 or class, the result would be an absolute 
 conglomeration, producing nothing short of 
 monstrosities, as well as frustrating the orig- 
 inal purpose. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 COMMINGLE OF COUNTERPART GERMS ESSEN- 
 TIAL TO LIFE DEVELOPMENT. 
 
 FROM the foregoing it being one of the 
 self-evident facts that the combination of 
 germs is necessary to produce a single 
 species it must conclusively follow that, 
 after all the rudimental germs were called 
 into existence, it was requisite that each 
 separate class should select its own fellow 
 before the process of germination of the 
 respective classes could possibly commence 
 a progressive action. They also must be in 
 a condition conducive to the encouragement 
 of development in order that each separate 
 atom of what is to mature into the future 
 representation of vitality may attain its 
 progressive action. Germs of different 
 (16) 
 
COMMINGLE OP COUNTERPART GERMS. 17 
 
 species might meet and pass each other for 
 the period of a thousand years without 
 producing any result; but, as soon as the 
 counterparts of the same order and class 
 come in contact they immediately blend, 
 vitalize, and commence to germinate into 
 what is to form the basis of each distinct 
 race. Each in turn, and through the 
 course of time, selects its fellow-germ, until 
 all the varieties, both of animal and vege- 
 table life, create themselves through the 
 same process. 
 
 Research has most conclusively demon- 
 strated the fact that all organic substance is 
 the result of contact or mingling of micro- 
 scopic germs, which subsequently, through 
 a vitalizing transition, advance towards ma- 
 turity and pass through their existence, 
 strictly adhering to the original identity, 
 but approaching nearer the perfection of 
 complete development, firmly laying a 
 foundation on which must rest the secret, 
 as well as the solution, of the great problem 
 of First Life. 
 
 Life, animate as well as inanimate, is an 
 act of constant interchange of demanding 
 
18 CREATION. 
 
 and supplying. The destructive waste from 
 one form of vitality is the source of suste- 
 nance to another; while the one is receiv- 
 ing, the other is exhausting, acting and 
 reacting with a precision equal to the rising 
 and going down of the sun ; one period of 
 the diurnal changes favoring one, the other 
 another operation, while all are being bene- 
 fited by the transposition and rotation of 
 this kaleidoscope of nature's most admi- 
 rable process. The refuse of animal life 
 supports vegetation, while, in turn, the 
 products of vegetation principally support 
 the animal, acting on the principle of giving 
 and taking, thereby augmenting by the 
 law of reciprocity, and tending, through a 
 sure but gradual movement, toward a final 
 progressive development; advancing, circle 
 by circle, through the continuation of the 
 space of time since the initiation of the 
 primary spark of vitality, and by a suc- 
 cessive onward march toward the comple- 
 tion of the present stage of organism, clearly 
 solving the many mysteries and knotted 
 problems of progressive life. The foregoing 
 self-evident circumstances unquestionably 
 
COMMINGLE OF COUNTERPART GERMS. 19 
 
 prove that organic creation, subject to the 
 original cause, was the creation of itself. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 APPROXIMATION OF TIME SINCE THE INITIA 
 TION OF FIRST LIFE. 
 
 IT is feasible, by arithmetical calcula- 
 tions, to place within the grasp of human 
 comprehension an approximation of the 
 space of time elapsed since the accumu- 
 lation of organic deposit commenced to 
 overlay the original or primary rocks. In 
 the initiatory period of development the 
 process of deposit was of exceedingly slow 
 growth. However, later on, the action 
 must of necessity advance by almost a geo- 
 metrical progression, in order to accomplish 
 such extraordinary results as the present 
 phase of geological proportions now present 
 to the vision of reason. 
 
 The following calculation, although far 
 within the most reasonable facts, will suffice 
 to place before the thoughtful intellect evi- 
 dence plain enough to be comprehensively 
 grasped and fully understood, that this 
 (20) 
 
APPROXIMATION OF TIME. 21 
 
 planet which we now occupy has been 
 spinning onward in its course for millions 
 of years, even since first life was a factor 
 of its mechanism, for example, we may 
 rationally presume that within the space of 
 ten years organic residuum might accumu- 
 late to the extent of one-thirtieth of an 
 inch over the entire surface of the globe. 
 Thirty multiplied by twelve, the number of 
 inches to one foot, produces three hundred 
 and sixty thirtieths; this, multiplied by 
 ten, gives a period of three thousand six 
 hundred years to complete one foot of 
 organic deposit at the present stage of de- 
 velopment, and allowing one thousand feet 
 of surface deposit which will come far 
 short of the actual condition of things 
 this, multiplied by three thousand six 
 hundred, yields, in plain figures, three 
 million six hundred thousand years, which, 
 within all reasonable bounds, may, in per- 
 fect safety, owing to the backward result of 
 even arithmetical retrogression, be multi- 
 plied by thirty-three and one-third, which 
 would bring the product up to the enormous 
 number ol one hundred and twenty-five 
 
22 CREATION. 
 
 millions of years, and which is clearly within 
 the scope of reason, based on the most sub- 
 stantial and inconfutable data. This gi- 
 gantic problem proves itself by the presence 
 of organic deposit resulting from maturity 
 and decay, or succession of life and death, 
 and carries within it the evidence of immor- 
 tality, which must and will continue to 
 work out the progression of life through the 
 ages of all time. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 CLASS LIFE DEVELOPMENT. 
 
 THE distinctive development in animal 
 as well as vegetable life is influenced to a 
 very great extent by the action of climate. 
 Animals of the lower order of vitality adapt 
 themselves, in a great measure, to the neces- 
 sities and demands of their natural wants, 
 it being beyond doubt that the great end 
 and first law of life is the inherent prompt- 
 ing towards sustenance, preservation, com- 
 fort, and protection. 
 
 In high latitudes animals not in pos- 
 session of reason are provided by nature 
 with suitable coverings to preserve warmth, 
 and also with physical powers to withstand 
 the influences of atmospheric vicissitudes, 
 although, after fortifying against the rigors 
 of winter, they gradually dispose of the 
 superfluous covering as the coldness be- 
 comes sufficiently tempered by milder cur- 
 rents of summer air. This change adjusts 
 
 (23) * 
 
24 CREATION. 
 
 itself by a natural evolution of circumstance 
 and without any absolute will-power of the 
 recipient. On the other hand, animals pos- 
 sessing a greater degree of discriminating 
 power and mental ability, as, for example, 
 mankind, provide shelter, supply heat, and 
 temper the atmosphere, by the power of 
 reason, to the genial warmth of a perpetual 
 spring-time, proving that one grade of ani- 
 mation makes provisions, while another 
 grade is provided for; showing, however, 
 that in both cases they are prompted by the 
 same cause, viz. : the dictations of nature, 
 which have to be supplied either by natural 
 adaptation or intellectual sagacity. Zoolog- 
 ical science distinctly points out the various 
 methods of alimentation, by making in each 
 and every case a distinctive organic con- 
 struction to harmonize with the different 
 methods of obtaining sustenance, and with 
 a clearness not to be misunderstood by the 
 most casual observer. 
 
 The general outlining, as well as the 
 special construction of the different organs 
 of the body, substantially reveal each sepa- 
 rate method of obtaining subsistence, and 
 
CLASS LIFE DEVELOPMENT. 25 
 
 also show the progress of vitality, as marked 
 out through the traces of time, with suffi- 
 cient strength to verify the fact that the first 
 principle of animate life is the attainment of 
 self-sustenance and individual support suffi- 
 cient to carry out their identities to the limit 
 of maturity. This being consummated, 
 nature's act is complete ; but the repetition 
 must continue by the same regular process, 
 carrying out the productive and reproduc- 
 tive evidence, and showing that everything 
 moves in the same direction and tends 
 towards the same end, demonstrating the 
 fact that First Life was the outcropping of 
 an incidental condition of circumstances. 
 
 Evidently vitalization being a physical 
 action produced by the process of heat 
 tempering water to a certain condition 
 that condition being once established, under 
 similar circumstances must continue to re- 
 produce similar results, thereby establishing 
 a subsequent law. 
 
 There are innumerable circumstances 
 which serve to prove the fact that life is a 
 natural result produced by nature's own 
 generative power, through an immutable 
 
26 CREATION. 
 
 law and by a comprehensive process, though 
 it conclusively follows that the primary con- 
 stituents must be present at every moment, 
 in order that a continuation may be per- 
 petuated withdraw these prime factors, 
 and the whole vital system will suffer imme- 
 diate dissolution. 
 
 Heat, light, and water tend to life, but 
 cold antagonizes it. The universe is gov- 
 erned by a great circulatory process, vitality, 
 of course, forming no exception. The 
 greatest representative down to the most 
 diminutive atom carries out the same prin- 
 ciple and is governed by the same law. 
 
 As soon as cold dominates heat to the 
 extent of obstructing the circulatory process, 
 the result is destruction of that special rep- 
 resentative; or, if even a portion of the 
 animal or plant be affected by cold to the 
 extent of occlusion, the result is the destruc- 
 tion of the part so affected, demonstrating 
 the principle that the opposite of life carries 
 out its precision to the very line of demar- 
 kation. 
 
 The portion of the globe which is ex- 
 empt from the blighting effect of cold is 
 
CLASS LIFE DEVELOPMENT 27 
 
 strikingly marked in relation to the char- 
 acter of its productions. The general off- 
 spring of the soil is exceedingly soft, thrifty, 
 and succulent; especially so with the an- 
 nual varieties. However, the seasons are 
 distinctly divided into humid and parched, 
 necessitating a demand upon nature's pro- 
 tecting power in favor of the perennial 
 varieties against lack of moisture, e.g., 
 tropical trees are provided with hard fibre, 
 close texture, slow growth, and torpid circu- 
 lation, as well as large, deep penetrating 
 roots, which afford resistance to a long con- 
 tinuation of the heated period, while the 
 annual varieties pass away with the moist 
 atmosphere, to be reproduced on its return. 
 Thus it is seen that the absence of moisture 
 is a sure cause of the suspension of vitality. 
 This has been previously cited in the ex- 
 ample of the deserts of Egypt, where every- 
 thing lies a barren waste until by moisture 
 the slumbering germs are resurrected 
 germs that without this influence would 
 have slept on forever. 
 
 From the foregoing it seems that suffi- 
 cient weight of evidence is given to bear 
 
28 CREATION. 
 
 ample testimony in favor of the premises, 
 and further multiplying would only serve to 
 weaken instead of to strengthen the con- 
 clusion. This conclusion granted, one of 
 the inkiest clouds of darkness is magically 
 transformed into a tower of crystal spray, 
 reflecting images of revelation from each 
 atom of its silvery mass, and virtually prov- 
 ing that the Creator works by a fixed law, 
 and not by mere chance. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 NATURE'S METHODS OF PROTECTION AND 
 DEFENSE. 
 
 ALL varieties of life have their methods 
 of defense and preservation ; all have their 
 respective means of resisting the incursions 
 of their natural enemies. The natural ene- 
 mies of each class of vitality are the counter- 
 classes that look for subsistence from the 
 destruction of another form of life, to 
 which, otherwise, they must succumb. 
 
 Thus it follows that the course of nature 
 is a succession of preying and of being 
 preyed upon. It also follows, in order that 
 any form of life may be extended to a great 
 length of time, that it must necessarily pos- 
 sess power of superiority. The ephemeral 
 and defenseless order of animation is swept 
 out of existence for the purpose of supply- 
 ing aliment for a superior vitality. The 
 great secret of longevity is comprehended in 
 the one power of resistance, and in this 
 
 (29) 
 
30 CREATION. 
 
 respect the human species in particular has 
 pre-eminent superiority, having ability to 
 resist the discomforts of heat and cold, as 
 well as the attacks of all natural enemies, 
 looking upon them with careless compla- 
 cency, fully assured that their weapons are 
 but as harmless arrows, easily diverted by 
 human intelligence, and reduced simply to 
 known but governed enemies. This power 
 of reason also, in a great measure, controls 
 accidents, external violence, and liability to 
 injury. 
 
 There still remains, however, a most 
 destructive enemy of life one which so far 
 has been, to a remarkable degree, compara- 
 tively speaking, overlooked, viz.: vitality in 
 the form of microscopic life ; and the subse- 
 quent object of this work will mainly con- 
 sist in an attempt to apply the foregoing 
 facts, with the view to alleviate disease, as 
 well as to extend the natural period of life 
 also, to point out methods to be pursued, 
 through channels of research, to prevent the 
 liability to microscopic animalcular disease. 
 Notwithstanding the fact that the philoso- 
 phers of ancient times were in complete 
 
PROTECTION AND DEFENSE. 31 
 
 darkness as to the true cause of so much of 
 their discomfort, they, nevertheless, struggled 
 against it with comparative success. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 NATURE'S DEFENSE AGAINST DISEASE. 
 
 THE profound philosophers of ancient 
 times were so impressed with the necessity 
 of strict obedience to rules of health that 
 they ordained a goddess to preside over 
 regulations pertaining especially to this sub- 
 ject. The foremost and supreme command 
 was strict obedience to the laws of cleanli- 
 ness and purification, although at that time 
 science had developed no revelation, disclos- 
 ing the fact that life is one of the principal 
 enemies of life, the whole of space being per- 
 vaded by myriads of living germs. Every- 
 thing teems with life ; water, air, food, even 
 the odor exhaled from fragrant blossoms 
 all are no less than impresses of vital sparks 
 upon the sensory nerves, which may develop 
 elements of destruction, if permitted to 
 mature within the structure of the body, 
 thus furnishing evidence of the fact that dis- 
 (32) 
 
NATURE'S DEFENSE AGAINST DISEASE. 33 
 
 ease or perverted action of the system, in 
 numerous cases, is only the result of a colo- 
 nization of microscopic vitality in the differ- 
 ent organs, which, if allowed to continue 
 undisturbed, would soon show evidence of 
 disease in the part so attacked. 
 
 The fact of the existence of life needs no 
 further proof of requirement for its subsist- 
 ence ; consequently constructive vitality is 
 necessary for the development of other life 
 forms. In pursuance of the foregoing it 
 follows that no vital growth can possibly 
 progress without demand and supply. It 
 would be easy to comprehend the reality of 
 an inability to erect a structure without 
 material to construct with ; so it is equally 
 as impossible for vitality to progress without 
 sustenance. 
 
 It only remains now to solve the great 
 mystery of natural progress, actual growth, 
 character, and means of development. 
 
 Life and death are incompatible ; hence, 
 conclusively, we can immediately grasp the 
 fact that dead matter cannot construct or 
 even enter into the construction of vital 
 growth. 
 
34 CREATION. 
 
 Food for the building up of living mat- 
 ter must be vitalized before it is fit for 
 assimilation; eventually nourishment must 
 undergo a vivifying process before it could 
 possibly form a part in the structure of liv- 
 ing tissue or be appropriated as available 
 supply. 
 
 This reasoning goes to substantiate a 
 theory disclosed through microscopic re- 
 search, which is that vital construction is 
 produced by means of cell development, 
 these cells deriving their support through 
 the action of circulation, but must primarily 
 be supplied by alimentation. 
 
 If it were possible to strengthen the 
 microscope far beyond its present power it 
 would doubtless reveal facts sufficient to 
 demonstrate that every cell is inhabited 
 by myriads of vital sparks, and that or- 
 ganic existence is a mass of life-germs 
 equal to the bulk of each individual repre- 
 sentative. 
 
 It being conceded beyond hesitancy that 
 vital pabulum must be received in the form 
 of life, and not as dead or decaying material ; 
 also that the circulatory process distributes 
 
NATURE'S DEFENSE AGAINST DISEASE. 35 
 
 those vitalized atoms over the whole mech- 
 anism, thereby developing growth as well as 
 supplying natural destructive waste. 
 
 This process is clearly demonstrated 
 through the action which is known to take 
 place after food is taken into the receptacle 
 of advanced animal life and retained for a 
 certain period to undergo digestion or other- 
 wise to be prepared for assimilation. This is, 
 in reality, the incubating process ; after the 
 completion of this action the vitalized par- 
 ticles are separated from the dead or refuse 
 matter. The former are received into the 
 nutrient vessels to be mixed with the blood 
 or life fluid for the purpose of building up 
 cell growth, the latter being disposed of as 
 refuse matter and carried out of the system 
 through the alimentary tract, thus proving 
 that digestion is the process of vitalizing 
 nourishment, also that any portion of food 
 taken into the stomach which fails to be 
 capable of vitalization must be discarded as 
 effete matter. 
 
 Should any useless material accidentally 
 be taken up and mixed with vital aliment, it 
 has to be separated from the circulation by 
 
36 CREATION. 
 
 means of the different glands and be carried 
 off as refuse. 
 
 Each individual organ of the whole body 
 has its office or function to perform in order 
 to keep up the process of development. If 
 these natural operations were not beset by 
 the numerous accidents that life is subjected 
 to, existence might be prolonged to an al- 
 most unlimited period. This conclusive 
 reasoning shows that the body or the single 
 individual is a hive containing millions of 
 billions of vital sparks which have to be fed 
 and supported each day to keep in motion 
 the machinery of a solitary representative of 
 advanced life. 
 
 How vividly the image must appear 
 when it breaks upon the retina of the mind, 
 displaying a portrayal of immutable laws 
 and self-evident conclusions in abundance, 
 to dissolve the clouds which separate the 
 workings of the Creator from the eyes of 
 the creature ! 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 DESTRUCTIVE VITALITY. 
 
 REASON appears to have conclusively 
 elucidated the great mystery of animate ex- 
 istence by distinctly proving life to be a 
 mass of vital sparks. It also appears from 
 self-evident circumstances that each separate 
 individual is the exponent of a combination 
 of an incompatible constituency or opposing 
 forces which are perpetually antagonizing 
 each other. The legitimate power we may 
 class as health ; the opposite is piratical and 
 constantly in search of opportunities to 
 make aggressive advancements towards pro- 
 curing possession of the different organs of 
 the body for the purpose of appropriating 
 them to their own use. This is destructive 
 vitality or disease, which will now be taken 
 into careful consideration. 
 
 Conceding mankind far in advance of all 
 other life forms, it is reasonable to infer 
 that progression may advance until a final 
 
 (37) 
 
38 CREATION. 
 
 point may be reached where mind will con- 
 trol matter to such a degree that the mortal 
 may possibly achieve immortality. 
 
 The initiatory steps to make an ap- 
 proach to such an end must be by a uni- 
 versal combination of forces so as to combat 
 the secret and invisible enemies that pervade 
 every portal of life's avenues, and to bar the 
 gates against their ingress. This can only 
 be accomplished through vigilance and leg- 
 islative restrictions. In these rest the only 
 available means necessary to remove the 
 cause and prevent the otherwise inevitable 
 result. All forms of disease can, in a great 
 measure, be met by efficacious means and 
 reasonable precautions. 
 
 By baffling the cause we defeat the pur- 
 pose. If in this comparatively conclusive 
 reasoning we can locate the bane of life, it 
 will be less difficult to provide an antidote 
 which there is no reason to doubt will come 
 in due form through the perfecting of time's 
 revolutions. Now there are three different 
 open portals by which disease or antagonistic 
 vitality can easily assail the system: first, 
 by the lungs; second, through the ali- 
 
DESTRUCTIVE VITALITY. 39 
 
 mentary tract ; and, third, by contact with 
 the skin or outer covering of the body. 
 
 It is most important, in the first place, 
 to guard the gates to the approach of each 
 of these avenues with sentinels possessing 
 an absolute knowledge of the character of 
 the enemy to be repelled, and doubtless the 
 great engine necessary to conduct the van- 
 guard will be the microscope, strengthened 
 with power to discriminate the character of 
 each individual foe to be combated. 
 
 When the capacity and ability of an 
 enemy is forestalled, victory is but a second- 
 ary consideration. However, if the invad- 
 ing force gets possession of the system, then 
 specifics and panaceas are uncertain de- 
 pendencies too often a forlorn hope. No 
 counteracting remedy is adequate to dispos- 
 sess many of the diseases which otherwise 
 could be averted by prophylactic means. 
 
 The author of the adage " An ounce of 
 prevention is of more value than a pound of 
 cure " unconsciously proclaimed a prophecy 
 more potential than anything which has 
 ever before emanated from the lips of any 
 one, either human or divine, when we 
 
40 CREATION. 
 
 pause to consider the value of fortifying 
 against the encroachment of destructive 
 vitality with a full knowledge of the dev- 
 astation which must follow in its wake if 
 allowed to pursue an undisturbed course. 
 The prediction stands out like a pillar of 
 fire, illuminating the pathway leading to 
 safety. Notwithstanding withal, it is aston- 
 ishing to realize that it is possible for intel- 
 ligence to sleep with death stalking around 
 unopposed while its willing victims com- 
 placently slumber on, dream, and behold 
 visions of safety until the last vital spark is 
 consumed by the great destroyer. 
 
 If mortals still close their eyes and 
 permit the enemy to continue its undis- 
 turbed way, there is no likelihood of ever 
 being able to stay its progress. 
 
 There are numerous remedies suggesting 
 themselves to reasonable minds which could 
 be arrived at with little difficulty ; however, 
 legislation is the first necessary step to take 
 towards the abatement of disease by contact. 
 We are already in possession of laws pro- 
 hibitory of the ingress of infection from 
 outside influence, but have no protection 
 
DESTRUCTIVE VITALITY. 41 
 
 from the scattering of it by social inter- 
 course. There are no restrictions placed oil 
 individuals of families who have the most 
 virulent maladies in their households from 
 going to places of general business, getting 
 into public conveyances, or attending the- 
 atres or churches. The church is, in the 
 superlative degree, the hot-bed where con- 
 tagion is disseminated and propagated, more 
 especially in Catholic churches, where serv- 
 ices are almost perpetually going on, and 
 all classes and every grade, from the haunts 
 of squalor to the halls of magnificence, are 
 admitted on the same basis and subjected to 
 the same atmosphere. The lady from the 
 palace of luxury bows down side by side 
 with the beggar from the dens of filth and 
 degradation. With such a regime as this, 
 can contagion ever be stopped or disease 
 abolished I 
 
 These are some of the many defects 
 which must be overcome by legal restric- 
 tions. The most obstinate minded will 
 undoubtedly perceive at a glance the pro- 
 priety of modifying the present state of sani- 
 tary regulations and urge a more restrictive 
 
42 CREATION. 
 
 means prohibiting the indiscriminate ming- 
 ling of humanity. 
 
 With the present stage of progress in 
 science, assisted and abetted by wholesome 
 legal enactments, there are no grounds for 
 apprehension that, in a very short period 
 hence, disease will be baffled and death 
 fettered to such an extent that the course of 
 mortal sojourn on earth may be consum- 
 mated and extolled to so near a state of 
 perfect security as to render it nothing more 
 than a voyage of prospective emancipation 
 tranquilly subsiding into a restful repose 
 preparatory to awakening to the realization 
 of that immortal existence which instinct so 
 emphatically promises to mankind. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 AIR NOT LIFE SUPPORTING. 
 
 THE ocean of fluid surrounding the 
 earth and extending for several miles into 
 space, and which is recognized and spoken 
 of as air would not, within itself, be life 
 supporting as pure air, but by the admixture 
 of moisture or humidity it is so rendered, 
 when tempered by sufficient heat, which not 
 only gives warmth, but, through expansion 
 and contraction, produces currents, estab- 
 lishing the circulatory process, so absolutely 
 essential for the purification of all fluids. 
 Without this constant motion destruction 
 would result to every form of vitality. 
 Thus, the same reasoning leads to the same 
 conclusion, that life is dependent upon the 
 original cause, viz. : the sun and the ocean. 
 
 These great motive powers keep up the 
 circulatory process ; suspend this action, and 
 
 (43) 
 
44 CREATION. 
 
 the inevitable result must follow. This 
 mechanism of nature is of most wonderful 
 precision and perfection, and in nowise 
 likely to get out of order. The action of 
 the sun absorbs the moisture from the 
 ocean, and the air acts as a vehicle to sus- 
 pend it and to carry it through space, while 
 attraction and chemical action cause the 
 currents, thereby producing circulation and 
 condensation, forming clouds to be dis- 
 charged later in the form of rain, fertilizing 
 the soil, while the superabundance is con- 
 ducted through the natural channels back 
 to the original source, to be purified and 
 returned through the same process. 
 
 It is manifest that this principle of circu- 
 lation in nature must be carried out in the 
 operations of every-day life. If moisture 
 be allowed to remain at rest it very soon 
 becomes a mass of corruption, developing 
 germs of vitality and producing poisonous 
 effects within the limits of its reach. Also, 
 without ventilation the most spacious apart- 
 ments become non-tenable, showing that 
 nature's laws must be obeyed or life will be 
 the forfeit. 
 
AIR NOT LIFE SUPPORTING. 45 
 
 Pneumatology and hydrodynamics con- 
 jointly show that through the commingling 
 of fluids a generating power is imparted, 
 giving birth to the elements which furnish 
 support for subsequent vitality, and also 
 reveal more clearly the natural development 
 of heat. 
 
 It is a generally accepted theory that the 
 sun is not a heat furnishing source, but a 
 heat producer through natural operations. 
 The denser atmospheric fluid in close prox- 
 imity to the surface is kept in active motion 
 by the presence of the sun's rays producing 
 chemical changes, together with mechanical 
 co-action, which cause great friction, thereby 
 producing heat more rapidly than at a 
 remote distance or greater elevation. After 
 air becomes rarefied and devoid of moisture 
 it is no loonger capable of producing heat, 
 but is frigid and non-life-preserving, show- 
 ing that heat is furnished by action, and not 
 by distribution. This conclusion carries 
 within it proof that the primary elements 
 conjointly combine to produce even the first 
 requisites of life. These facts prove that 
 the operations of nature are performed with 
 
46 CREATION. 
 
 a nicety of precision and with most whole- 
 some results, while they also convey with 
 every act an admonition which must be 
 faithfully observed, otherwise nature's pen- 
 alty is sure to follow. More than half of 
 the discomforts of life would be escaped if 
 this course were carried out and strictly 
 adhered to. Just as soon as the animate 
 life wars against the elements it may expect 
 to be vanquished its destruction is in- 
 evitable. 
 
 Were science applied to searching after 
 the causes of maladies which fasten upon 
 the system it would be doubly effective, 
 e.g., if a band of marauders were known to 
 be approaching a certain locality for the 
 purpose of obtaining booty, it would be 
 much more politic to institute means of re- 
 pulsion than to be searching out remedies 
 for the alleviation of possible damages likely 
 to be received at the hands of such an 
 enemy. A well-planned defence is more 
 effective than all the generalship that can 
 be brought to bear upon the field of action ; 
 and so it is with disease; if the cause be 
 searched for, and proper remedies used to 
 
AIR NOT LIFE SUPPORTING. 47 
 
 baffle its progress, the victory is complete 
 and a panacea is not required. Prophy- 
 lactic measures universally yield rich results. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 A RESUME OP VITALIZATION. 
 
 HAVING arrived at a point where it 
 becomes necessary to speak individually of 
 the primary sources of life, we note, in 
 short, that which has been attempted to be 
 proven in detail, so as to comprehend, in a 
 few words, the substance of the object of 
 this work. 
 
 Guided by reason and the dictates of 
 supreme laws, we are forced to acknowledge 
 that whenever there is an effect there must 
 be a cause: consequently, knowing life to 
 exist, it follows that it must have had a 
 source, and, reasoning from effect, no ra- 
 tional cause presents itself short of the period 
 when heat and moisture, combined, devel- 
 oped the event of germinal production. 
 
 The essentials of life are light, heat, 
 
 moisture, and motion. The sun furnishes 
 
 light, and its rays, acting through chemical 
 
 and mechanical means, produce heat, induc- 
 
 (48) 
 
A RESUME OP VITALIZATION. 49 
 
 ing currents, and thereby establishing 
 motion and circulation. The ocean fur- 
 nishes an inexhaustible supply of moisture, 
 as well as affords a great reservoir for reno- 
 vation and purification, and from this ma- 
 ternal source springs all the nourishment 
 which goes to the support of every atom of 
 vitality that exists on the face of this planet. 
 
 From the most careful reasoning, sup- 
 ported by the laws of natural philosophy 
 and substantiated by the strongest circum- 
 stantial evidence that it is possible to bring 
 to bear on the subject to be proven, all 
 clearly point to the same conclusion that life 
 is the result of a natural process produced 
 through an action of the sun's rays upon 
 the waters of the ocean, and from this cause 
 establishing first parentage. Each succes- 
 sive development is the perfecting of time's 
 untiring revolutions, which more than likely 
 will go on producing and reproducing won- 
 ders forever. 
 
 Now the inevitable consummation of life 
 is death, which may manifest itself in two 
 distinct forms, viz. : normal and abnormal. 
 Normal death is that condition where all 
 
50 CREATION. 
 
 the vital parts have respectively wasted their 
 powers and terminate with a restful satisfac- 
 tion, having reached the attainment of 
 nature's purpose. Abnormal death is the 
 dissolution of vitality as the result of acci- 
 dent or disease, which affects one or more 
 of the organs of the body essential to the 
 continuation of life, and in consequence 
 demands the sacrifice of the whole system 
 hence the dread of this form of death. By 
 far the most prolific cause of this source of 
 dissolution is the result of disease generated 
 through microscopic animalcular encroach- 
 ment. As soon as science provides a 
 remedy for the destruction of microscopic 
 vitality, or a preventive to bar the progress 
 of minute animal propagation, it will have 
 achieved the crowning act, enabling man- 
 kind to assume possession of power to control 
 and extend the limit of life to the true 
 period of maturity, as well as to mark out 
 the approach toward the terminal point as a 
 journey possessed of pleasurable prospects, 
 beautified with all the visionary imagina- 
 tions by which advanced intelligence em- 
 bellishes the unknown realms, and which 
 
A EESUMi! OP VITALIZATION. 51 
 
 are hoped and looked for, but only to be 
 possessed after death resolves the mortal 
 into immortality. Such an advancement of 
 science would rob death of all its horrors, 
 and endow it as a legacy possessed of the 
 magical charm of a tableau of the golden 
 sunset on the placid waters of an undis- 
 turbed sea. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 ORIGIN OF MINERALS. 
 
 IN stepping from vital productions to 
 mineral formations it only requires addi- 
 tional links to complete the chain which 
 leads on to a completion of nature's consum- 
 mation. 
 
 Owing to the great importance which 
 the carbonaceous deposits occupy in the 
 economy of life, they will be given primary 
 consideration. While viewing the various 
 strata comprising the earth's crust, it is 
 almost bewildering to the comprehension 
 how to dispose of such a ponderous problem. 
 Notwithstanding, when we revert to the fact, 
 there are conclusive evidences proving the 
 space of time since the process of deposit com- 
 menced to be far beyond a hundred millions 
 of years it affords the intellect greater scope 
 to grasp the realities that present themselves 
 for investigation. In the first place, I pur- 
 pose to offer reasons showing the cause of 
 (52) 
 
ORIGIN OF MINERALS. 53 
 
 origin of the vast fields or deposits recog- 
 nized by geologists as coal, or nearly pure 
 carbon. It is almost beyond cavil, from 
 proofs deduced through the closest micro- 
 scopic research, that coal is the refuse 
 deposit from vegetable growth, this stratum 
 being similar throughout all sections of the 
 globe. These carbon deposits, almost with- 
 out exception, are found in the form of 
 fields or flats showing a few degrees of slope 
 which is designated by miners as the " dip " 
 of the mines and is evidence that at the 
 commencement the formations were on a 
 nearly level plain, clearly indicating that it 
 is the accumulation of centuries of repetition 
 of growth similar to that known to be pro- 
 duced from swamps or marshes in the course 
 of a thousand or more years. The water, 
 constantly filtering through this rooty de- 
 posit, acts against a destructive waste and fa- 
 vors a continuous growth, making a semi- 
 solid mass of carbonaceous generating 
 material. When this surface equilibrium is 
 disturbed by undulations of gases pent up 
 in subterranean vaults and set in motion by 
 volcanic disturbance the drainage through 
 
54 CREATION. 
 
 this natural process is cut off and sufficient 
 obstructions are developed to cause these 
 plains to be submerged, producing lakes, 
 and consigning the carbon deposits to sleep 
 beneath their waters for other thousands of 
 years, meanwhile to be enveloped by the 
 refuse deposits or destructive waste of ani- 
 mal life, giving birth to rocks of carbonated 
 lime or mixed concretion as the circum- 
 stances may bring about in a further devel- 
 opment, and which must continue to amass 
 until another reaction bursts the confines of 
 the waters, restoring solid surface to be 
 again exposed to the accumulation of mixed 
 refuse, each change working out a period of 
 time's wonderful progress. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 FORMATIONS or GAS AND OIL. 
 
 IN taking another step still deeper into 
 the mysteries of earth's creative power, the 
 afore-mentioned facts go far towards facilitat- 
 ing farther research. Having rationally 
 accounted for solid carbons, they in turn 
 become the basis which may produce, 
 through a chemical change, new results, 
 viz. : gas and oil, which are known to 
 abound so extensively within the deeper 
 recesses of the earth and which are doubt- 
 less the causes of the many changes con- 
 stantly taking place beneath the surface. 
 It has been demonstrated, through the sink- 
 ing of very deep shafts for the purpose of 
 mining, that at these great depths the earth 
 becomes so superheated as to render it im- 
 possible to go beyond certain limits, giving 
 sure data and furnishing good reasons for 
 the belief that beneath these known limits 
 the heat is increased sufficiently to extract 
 
 (55) 
 
56 CREATION. 
 
 and distil the solid carbons and dissolve 
 them into the form of gas. This conversion 
 into gas causes the displacement of a vast 
 mass of solid matter, and thereby develops 
 caverns and subterranean vaults. The proc- 
 ess, being continued from century to century, 
 must of necessity open out vast areas of 
 space, which are filled only by these natural 
 gases. This action goes on until incomput- 
 able billions of cubic feet are excavated or 
 consumed. 
 
 These gases by great pressure are forced 
 through every fissure and crevice of the 
 rocks that confine them in place, and thus 
 work their way nearer to the surface into a 
 cooler temperature which causes condensa- 
 tion, thereby giving birth to the carbon oils 
 so extensively extracted from the substrata 
 of the earth, and which now fill so impor- 
 tant a place among its mineral products. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 PURE CARBON, OR THE DIAMOND. 
 
 THE principal carbon formations having 
 been considered, it remains only to discuss 
 the pure form, which is the rarest of nature's 
 productions. It is known to be more com- 
 pact as well as to possess the power of 
 reducing every other mineral substance, 
 while resisting the action of all, demonstrat- 
 ing the impossibility of producing the 
 rounded pebble form of these gems by any 
 process of wear, since it is well known that 
 nothing but diamond cuts diamond. This 
 fact renders it necessary to look beyond all 
 known causes for this development. From 
 an acute microscopical scrutiny it is found 
 that pure carbon is composed of thin layers, 
 showing that its growth has been by 
 accumulative progressive action. 
 
 (57) 
 
58 CREATION. 
 
 Diamonds usually are found in close 
 proximity to volcanoes or in volcanic coun- 
 tries. They are universally found possess- 
 ing the same peculiarity as to shape, show- 
 ing that the formation is similar no matter 
 in what region of the earth's surface they 
 may be produced. 
 
 It has also been proven that pure carbon, 
 notwithstanding its wonderful durability and 
 power of resistance, can without difficulty 
 be consumed by the action of heat, showing 
 that heat readily disintegrates and resolves 
 it into the original component gases and 
 proving that it is the compactness of ad- 
 hesion which gives to it such inpenetrability. 
 It is also the unalloyed personification of 
 purity. In it appear no spots, specks, nor 
 blemishes which are likely to present them- 
 selves and combine with all other produc- 
 tions. It appears to be the solitary excep- 
 tion to that which otherwise is a universal 
 rule. 
 
 From reasonable and tangible evidence 
 the atmosphere remote from the surface is 
 both ethereal and frigid judging beyond 
 experiment it would naturally lead to a con- 
 
PURE CARBON, OR THE DIAMOND. 59 
 
 elusion that at a very great distance from 
 the surface space would become almost a 
 complete vacuum. 
 
 It is a known circumstance that volca- 
 noes become, at times, convulsed, belching 
 forth volumes of fire and smoke, as well as 
 clouds of superheated gases, generated by 
 the consuming carbon mass within the 
 depths of the earth and by the force behind, 
 driven far above the regions, where in any 
 likelihood there would be atmospheric resist- 
 ance, and into a temperature far below any- 
 thing known, but which no doubt would be 
 certainly sufficient to immediately chill the 
 carbon gas forming filmy clouds, which by 
 a natural process are condensed and reduced 
 to nucleuses, to revolve about and increase 
 until by their weight and force of attraction 
 they are brought to the surface in form sim- 
 ilar to hailstones, but in substance pure, 
 clear, unalloyed carbon, thus reasonably dis- 
 closing the fact that diamonds are generated 
 in the core of the earth and subsequently 
 elevated beyond the reach of contamination 
 for gestation and birth, developing through 
 a natural process into a miracle of perfection 
 
60 CREATION. 
 
 before returning to earth a clear, pure, 
 sparkling gem. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 METALLIC MINERAL FORMATIONS. 
 
 IN treating of metals the necessity is 
 involved, in the first place, of seeking out 
 the origin of mineral productive develop- 
 ment. 
 
 It is shown from the most careful chem- 
 ical analysis that all mineral products are a 
 combination of specific gases with a base. 
 This being the case, it naturally follows that 
 under favorable conditions they may be self- 
 producing. This problem proves itself 
 more clearly from the fact that heat, prop- 
 erly combined and applied, is adequate to 
 the reduction of all minerals to original 
 bases, by evolving the constituent gases, 
 showing that these mineral developments 
 must have been originally the offspring of a 
 specific action, brought about by a natural 
 combining of predominating constituents. 
 
 (61) 
 
62 CREATION. 
 
 As the surface-soil, in a great measure, 
 must be in a productive condition before it 
 can yield a specified order of plants, and 
 must contain the elements, including heat 
 and moisture, before any result can be 
 looked for so, also, in like manner, it is 
 essential for the substrata to be possessed 
 of certain conditions in order to develop 
 mineral growth. 
 
 The continuous action of heat going on 
 in the deep recesses of the earth renders 
 practicable this synthetical outcome of met- 
 amorphic transition by freeing the required 
 gases, which then unite with their respective 
 bases. For example, the combining of cer- 
 tain gases with a natural base gives birth 
 to metallic producing substances known as 
 mineral ores, viz. : iron, lead, zinc, copper, 
 silver, and gold, which are, by the well- 
 known smelting process, reduced to pure 
 metals. 
 
 Although many metals are found in a 
 state of comparatire purity, through a 
 natural process of reducing ores to the pure 
 product, yet this change is evidently the 
 result of volcanic action, and also indicates 
 
METALLIC MINERAL FORMATIONS. 63 
 
 that these precious metals are produced 
 from the very deep strata of the earth ; for 
 instance, when the gold-bearing ores are 
 subjected to the liquefying effect of volcanic 
 heat, the gold, as well as other molten 
 masses, is thrown out by the eruptive explo- 
 sion, to cool, forming vast crystalline rocks, 
 known as gold-bearing quartz, while the 
 small drops which form and are thrown out 
 with the ashes and found in scales or glob- 
 ules, recognized as scale and shotted gold, 
 are, by the action of water, carried over the 
 surface and along the beds of rivers and 
 procured by diverting the course and wash- 
 ing the alluvium this is known as placer 
 gold, although it must of necessity get its 
 birth through the original chemical action 
 before being able to yield this specific result. 
 All metallic products follow out about 
 the same natural law, each having its dis- 
 tinctive inductive procedure tending to its 
 separate growth, and all being produced 
 under different conditions, but clearly adher- 
 ing to the principles of a fixed law, which 
 neither yields nor is broken throughout the 
 many and mysterious operations of nature, 
 
64 CREATION. 
 
 and indicating that everything is guided by 
 an unerring hand. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 PHYSICAL SURFACE CONSTRUCTION. 
 
 BY scanning the broad expanse of na- 
 ture's chart it is unmistakably apparent that 
 the earth's crust has at intervals undergone 
 wonderful geographical changes. The fos- 
 sils in different formations serve as charac- 
 ters to fully explain the numerous transmuta- 
 tions which time's operations have wrought. 
 
 The pampas of the south and the broad 
 prairies of the north, on the continent of 
 America, furnish evidence that at some 
 period in time's past history they were the 
 beds of vast oceans, yielding the element of 
 subsistence to numerous tribes of animal 
 life, which under no possibility could exist 
 out of the water, thus showing that portions 
 of this earth's crust, where at one time, 
 beneath the rolling billows sported the 
 whale, the dolphin, and the vicious shark, 
 afterward afforded a retreat for the bison 
 and the antelope, and now produce the 
 
 (65) 
 
66 CREATION. 
 
 means of sustenance to millions of man- 
 kind. 
 
 The sandy desert plains of Asia and 
 Africa give more recent evidence of the sub- 
 sidence of the waters, which periodically 
 deluged the surface of the globe. This forms 
 another link in the chain of evidence, which 
 it is possible to trace out unbroken until its 
 completion. 
 
 Another geological mystery presents 
 itself for solution in the indisputable evi- 
 dence that portions of the earth's surface 
 within the regions of the temperate and 
 tropical zones clearly show traces of a past 
 period of perpetual ice, which, according to 
 their present altitude, would be a physical 
 impossibility. We also have proofs in fos- 
 sils of tropical plants and animals exhumed 
 from glaciers, of mountain regions which 
 are and have been crowned with perpetual 
 snow for an unknown period. 
 
 These circumstances lead to the sure 
 conclusion that this condition of things owes 
 its origin to the sinking and rising of the 
 surface of the earth, which has already been 
 shown to be one of the essential events of 
 
PHYSICAL SURFACE CONSTRUCTION. 67 
 
 nature's process following the great destruc- 
 tion of substrata through heat action, and 
 thereby opening up leagues of cavernous 
 space, which in time must be rilled in from 
 the surface. 
 
 The crust of the earth gradually weak- 
 ens and suddenly gives way, to be precipi- 
 tated into the immeasurable depths, trans- 
 posing lofty mountains to occupy the places 
 of the bed of the seas, while in turn from 
 ocean depths the mountain ranges rise, 
 which slept securely, undisturbed while 
 silent centuries passed by, and now stand as 
 immovable sentinels, proclaiming the edict 
 of the flood, " thus far shalt thou go and no 
 farther." 
 
 Each operation, though wonderful in all 
 its proportions, is nothing more than the 
 fulfillment of a law of natural philosophy. 
 This view of tilings fully elucidates all 
 geological problems, which otherwise would 
 still remain enshrined in mystery. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 PHILOSOPHY OF MATTER. 
 
 HAVING thus far gone through with 
 many of the phases of organic transforma- 
 tions, there appears to be a universal phys- 
 ical testimony bearing out the conclusion 
 that no supernatural revelation or divine 
 inspiration can be looked for to cast light 
 on the subject under consideration, but a 
 solution of the problem must be gathered 
 from a close perusal of the book of nature, 
 the pages of which extend over the length 
 and breadth of the earth, stamped in distinct 
 hieroglyphical imprints so plain and with 
 such precision as to be deciphered by all 
 nations of the globe. 
 
 No confounding of tongues nor miscon- 
 struction of language could have power to 
 obliterate a single syllable from one of the 
 many leaves of this great book containing 
 more than one hundred and twenty-five 
 millions of pages, each one of these noting 
 (68) 
 
PHILOSOPHY OP MATTER. 69 
 
 accurately the annual transactions of time's 
 intricate work since the ushering in of the 
 fact of first life, and from these all deduc- 
 tions lead to one and the same conclusion, 
 viz. : that out of the two original sources 
 come every spark of nature's offspring. 
 
 And now admitting the facts set forth to 
 be sufficiently well founded, their principles 
 must propagate other truths, and, further- 
 more, disclose new wonders, and so continue 
 their onward march until that period 
 arrives when the billows of time break 
 against the shores of eternity and burst into 
 curling vapors, to be dissolved and lost in 
 the mysterious regions of boundless space, 
 consummating nature's allotted task and 
 also bringing about the fulfillment of the 
 great prophecy that all material substances 
 shall be destroyed, and even time itself must 
 terminate. Notwithstanding that appalling 
 and sublime finale^ it would not within itself 
 necessarily result in final destruction. The 
 disintegrated atoms could by natural reac- 
 tion combine again through the process of 
 attraction and adhesion, thereby reconstruct- 
 ing the lost world, as well as marking the 
 
70 CEEATION. 
 
 advent of a roll of other time, verifying the 
 inspiration of a new heaven and a new 
 earth, to be gladdened by the rising of a new 
 sun to embrace the pure, clear, sparkling 
 waters of a new ocean, and with the same 
 power to again create First Life, thus form- 
 ing the last link necessary to complete the 
 great chain of events compassing time and 
 eternity. 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 THE RELATIONSHIP OF MIND AND MATTER. 
 
 HAVING heretofore refrained from com- 
 menting in any way upon the mental philos- 
 ophy of animate existence, I hope to be 
 pardoned for venturing a few thoughts in 
 connection with mind and matter. 
 
 It seems, through philosophical reason- 
 ing, that the soul of man is a concentration 
 of a certain individuality held together by 
 the body of the possessor, forming an iden- 
 tity entirely belonging to that personage, 
 and in no manner connected by any other 
 power, force, or characteristics. There can 
 in nowise be any outside party interest pos- 
 sessed, but it must be in absolute ownership 
 of the custodian but the expansion and 
 development in a great measure can be 
 assisted by the influence and intermingling 
 of surrounding circumstances. After the 
 dissolution of the mind and body the tan-' 
 
 (71) 
 
72 CEEATION. 
 
 gible intercourse is lost to all material com- 
 munications ; apparently the link that binds 
 mind to matter is severed, and absolutely 
 annihilated. All former relationship now 
 stops. 
 
 Nevertheless there is an instinctive 
 monition installed in the mind of everyone 
 that points to a future continuation of an 
 individuality which will be perpetuated, 
 endowing each identity with an existence of 
 immortality. 
 
 After having thrown off the bonds of cor- 
 ruption, the immortal part is freed from all 
 the cares of mortal existence. Conclusively, 
 the soul now enters the realms of bliss; 
 hence there is no further requirement for 
 intercommunications of the terrestrial and 
 celestial relationship. The mind, being now 
 disenthralled from the fetters of mortality, 
 severs all alliance coincident in any way 
 with its future and perpetual existence. 
 
 Unquestionably the most natural deduc- 
 tions to be drawn from the foregoing prem- 
 ises are that the great aim and end of life 
 should be to expand the mind to the great- 
 est possible extent so as to qualify the soul 
 
THE RELATIONSHIP OP MIND AND MATTER. 73 
 
 for a higher sphere beyond the tabernacle 
 of this flesh. 
 
 Life, beyond doubt, is a gift in trust 
 from the Great Source of vitality, and the 
 possessor is simply occupying a position of 
 stewardship temporarily. 
 
SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 FIRST LIFE. 
 
 Through the Creator's power ordained 
 Spontaneous sparks the life proclaimed 
 With laws decreed and orders given 
 The act was done conceived in heaven. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE, OR A RELIGION 
 OF THOUGHT. 
 
 MORAL PHILOSOPHY is the most feasible 
 faith which is likely to become the basis of 
 a universal following. It bars none from 
 absolute freedom to membership. The only 
 conditions are a full determination to act in 
 accord with righteousness, justice, goodness, 
 and truth ; also to disclaim all mythological 
 obligations; but to observe a strict adherence 
 to the one great source of safety, which is 
 comprehended in the combined words: right- 
 eousness and justice. This faith has no 
 mystery, no false hope, no hidden device, 
 no unknown land of promise, but possesses 
 all the attributes of the Creator and Disposer 
 of the workings of animate life. No doubt 
 but that the adoption of this plain course 
 would bring about universal happiness to 
 mankind and dispel the desire to choose evil 
 for good, crooked for straight, but rather in- 
 
78 CREATION. 
 
 stall a pleasurable satisfaction in the onward 
 march toward that unending state with which 
 death will consummate the crowning act es- 
 sential to an immortal existence. 
 
 When temporal existence leads up to 
 completion, time will then dissolve and be 
 lost to this special representative, but may 
 be continued through the insertion of another 
 link to that endless chain representing eter- 
 nity. Every hour fulfills the penalty of 
 myriads of earthly tenants; an act essential 
 to the release of mind from the fetters of mat- 
 ter, the single possible method of freeing the 
 soul to occupy its assignment, which can 
 only be purchased through an expiation for 
 accepting vitalization. The disembodiment 
 of the mind brings new life, new light, as 
 well as a perpetual abiding-place to the re- 
 generate spirit. Tangible evidence, com- 
 bined with philosophical reasoning, points to 
 a mental expansion befitting to individual 
 classification, showing cause for the thought 
 that there are higher and lower circles of 
 spiritual destiny, notwithstanding each in its 
 respective locality is in full possession of per- 
 fect immunity from earthly responsibilities. 
 
THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE. 79 
 
 However, it would seem that there might be 
 a possibility that very heinous, rebellious, and 
 perverse actions while serving the time of 
 mortal incarceration could provoke an eternal 
 condemnation, thereby completely annihilat- 
 ing that special identity. The act of self- 
 destruction would indicate by direct evidence 
 that the creature has lifted his hand against 
 the edict of the Creator in an attempt to 
 shorten the sentence pronounced upon mor- 
 tals, verifying the prediction that there is a 
 sin even unto spiritual death. Nevertheless, 
 many dim imprints which gleam through 
 Heaven's portals render sufficient encour- 
 agement for mortals to train the mind up to 
 the highest possible grade so as to fit it for 
 a perpetual sojourn. Viewing future hope 
 through this channel, how easy it would be 
 to bear the yoke that couples mind with 
 matter ! 
 
 After all things being considered, natural 
 philosophy seems clearly and simply to verify 
 the premises that the primary act of vitali- 
 zation is a consequence essential to the ac- 
 ceptation of death as a condition which must 
 absolutely follow, also showing that the com- 
 
80 CREATION. 
 
 ing in contact of counterpart vital sparks 
 ignites the flame that dooms to final destruc- 
 tion. The spontaneity of life carries within 
 it an inevitable conclusion that life is the 
 awaking power, and death a restoration of 
 final repose. 
 
 Life is the advent, death the completion 
 of the quickening process, thus consummat- 
 ing one of nature's perfect operations, and 
 showing forth the sublimity of the workings 
 of the Creator. 
 
 No power, no force, no device or com- 
 bined strength would be adequate to reverse 
 a single principle of the machinery of nature's 
 silent progress, even if all the combined 
 momentum of millions of planets that rep- 
 resent the make-up of the universe were 
 brought to bear against the unlimited power 
 of the Creator; it would be as the ability of 
 a single sunbeam t6 dissolve the mist of im- 
 penetrable darkness. 
 
 The source of wisdom plans out from 
 eternity and extends to the same limit. 
 Nothing can stand in the way of this power 
 and its operations from the governing of the 
 universe to the creation of an atom; all 
 
THE PHILOSOPHY OP LIFE. 81 
 
 must be subject to the same law and be 
 guided by the same hand. Conclusively, the 
 lesson of natural philosophy teaches through 
 instructions, developed by concurrent events, 
 the boundless powers of the Creator and the 
 insignificance of the creature, thus admon- 
 ishing all of animate life to move in strict 
 obeyance with nature's laws; any act of re- 
 bellion is a sure prelude to absolute destruc- 
 tion. If rational intelligence was brought 
 in accord with natural methods, most of the 
 ills of life could be averted, and existence 
 on this planet might be changed to a course 
 of peaceful sojourn. Any theory or practice 
 antagonizing the object of nature's process 
 will prove to be a blight and a sure cause 
 of absolute disappointment. Any device or 
 plan against the consummation of natural 
 law is the acceptation of utter defeat. Any 
 voice lifted up against the great first cause 
 is quickly hushed to silent oblivion. Any 
 personality that offers immunity for a trans- 
 gression of nature's immutable commands 
 will be swept out of existence, but strict 
 obedience to the true principle of life is the 
 solitary method of attaining advancement 
 
82 CREATION. 
 
 toward that goal which instinct promises the 
 mind and impels the soul to strive after. 
 This ultimatum of hope, this consummation 
 of vital anticipation, this resolving of the 
 mortal into immortality are the finish to the 
 last act necessary to separate the gold of 
 purity from the dross of matter. Hence, 
 Phoenix-like, new life rises out of the ashes 
 of destruction. Thus ends the beginning 
 and abolishes time yet regenerate spirits 
 go on forever. 
 
PROTOBIOLOGY, 
 
 OR 
 
 ANALYTICAL PHILOSOPHY. 
 
 IN conclusion, permit me to say that, 
 having exhausted all deductive methods of 
 arriving at other philosophical conclusions, 
 would suggest to some liberal handed 
 philanthropist to provide a powerful micro- 
 scope, together with a suitable laboratory 
 for analytical arid synthetical manipulations, 
 and in return I will demonstrate in general 
 every physical mystery either animate or 
 inanimate coincident with the make-up of 
 this planet. 
 
 JOSEPH W. McEwEN. 
 
 332 South 19th Street, 
 
 Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 (83) 
 
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 "An Essay on Creation" (F. A. Davis Company, Philadel- 
 phia), by Joseph W. McEwen, M.D., is the argument of a biologist 
 and student of science for the complete reconciliation of science 
 and revealed religion. He says: "The existence of God, or a su- 
 preme exponent possessing unlimited power, coupled with all the 
 attributes necessary to combine perpetuity and supremacy, is the 
 conviction of every true scientist; on this faith we rest the 
 strongest evidence of natural development." It is in conformity 
 with this reverent belief that Dr. McEwen briefly surveys the field 
 of modern biological and physical science and presents his deduc- 
 tions with perspicuity, fullness of knowledge, and cogency of 
 reason. The Press, Philadelphia, Pa., March 30, 1901. 
 
 "An Essay on Creation, Comprising the Beginning, Course, 
 and End of Time." By Joseph W. McEwen, M.D. Philadelphia, 
 F. A. Davis Company, 1900. Dr. McEwen leads us into a vast 
 subject in this work. It is one which is necessarily and perennially 
 fascinating to thoughtful minds. At many points these abstruse 
 questions touch the wide periphery of medical science and thought. 
 Therefore it need occasion no surprise if from time the subject is 
 approached from a fresh point of view by one whose training has 
 been in the schools and practice of medicine. This book is not 
 large, and is well worth perusal. In brief chapters the author ad- 
 vances from one end to the other of its course in logical continu- 
 ity .The Medical Bulletin, Philadelphia, Pa., July, 1900. 
 
 "An Essay on Creation," by Joseph W. McEwen, M.D., has 
 been issued by the F. A. Davis Company, Philadelphia. It traces 
 the history of matter and life from their origin, and while draw- 
 ing facts from nature alone, expresses a belief in the existence of 
 life apart from physical accompaniments. To the student of bi- 
 ology the work will especially appeal. The Call, Philadelphia, Pa., 
 October 20, 1900. 
 
 (85) 
 
86 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 The F. A. Davis Publishing Company, Philadelphia, issue "An 
 Essay on Creation, Comprehending the Beginning, Course, and End 
 of Time," by Joseph W. McEwen, M.D. This is a somewhat ambi- 
 tious attempt to explain the processes of the creation, growth, and 
 final destiny of the universe founded on the idea of an omnipotent 
 Creator who works in the simplest manner to accomplish his ends. 
 Evolution from a germ cell for all that is living and from the effect 
 of gravity and motion on elementary gases for all non-living matter 
 is the process. The thoughts are not new, but they are marshaled 
 in an orderly and concise way. Immortality of the soul is a part 
 of the natural scheme of creation and existence. Nebraska State 
 Journal, October 22, 1900. 
 
 In "An Essay on Creation" Dr. Joseph W. McEwen seeks to 
 reconcile religion and certain accepted theories of modern science 
 apparently in conflict with it. F. A. Davis Company, Philadel- 
 phia. Globe Democrat, St. Louis, Mo., October 20, 1900. 
 
 We have received from the author, Dr. Joseph W. McEwen, a 
 volume containing "An Essay on Creation, Comprehending the 
 Beginning, Course, and End of Time." He states that he is con- 
 vinced that there is no real conflict between religion and science, 
 and that the true God is a power holding every operation of nature 
 in the hollow of his hand. Dr. McEwen then proceeds to discuss 
 the origin of this planet, life development, nature's defense against 
 disease, etc. He treats, as well, of the origin of minerals, forma- 
 tion of gas and oil, metallic mineral formations, the philosophy 
 of matter, and the relationships of mind and matter. The mind 
 of man is never weary of speculating upon cause and effect and 
 the problems of the present and the future. Therefore, many 
 readers will follow this writer with interest in his wandering 
 through time and space, and will, possibly, arrive at the same 
 conclusions. Portland Daily Press, Portland, Me., November 21, 
 1900. 
 
 "An Essay on Creation." In a book of about seventy pages 
 Dr. Joseph W. McEwen explains the origin of this planet, examines 
 the primal spark of vitality, fixes the minimum time of organic 
 development on the earth at 125,000,000 of years, explicates all the 
 
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 87 
 
 principal processes of nature, explains the origin of minerals and 
 gas and oil, presents a philosophy of mind and matter, and proph- 
 esies of a period when the billows of time will break on the 
 shores of eternity, and burst into curling vapors. It will prob- 
 ably be a long while before any competitor breaks the doctor's 
 record by doing as much as this in sixty pages. F. A. Davis Com- 
 pany, Philadelphia. News Letter, San Francisco, Cal., November 
 10, 1900. 
 
 "An Essay on Creation." By Joseph W. McEwen, M.D. F. A. 
 Davis Company, Philadelphia, Pa. In the brief compass of this 
 single volume Dr. McEwen unfolds his theory of creation, "Com- 
 prehending the Beginning, Course, and End of Time." He believes 
 in God and evolution, and says that life is a "gift in trust from 
 the great source of vitality, and the possessor is simply occupying 
 a position of stewardship temporarily." Picayune, New Orleans, 
 La., October 28, 1900. 
 
 "An Essay on Creation," by Joseph W. McEwen, M.D., is an 
 effort to reconcile the antagonizing theories of science with divine 
 revelations. The essay therefore develops an interesting line of 
 reasoning based upon the author's theories of the origin of the 
 planet, development of life, philosophy of matter, and the relation 
 of mind to matter. The book is published by the F. A. Davis 
 Company, Philadelphia. Express, Los Angeles, Cal., February 27, 
 1901. 
 
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