particles, in the other no further cooling of the body. However, I will riot dwell further upon this objection, as it does not, I believe, present itself with equal force to every mind. A reason less open to dispute, as being less subjective, against the aggregation of infinitely remote particles as the origin of our universe, is contained in the physical objection. In this objection we consider that the appearance presented by our universe negatives the hypothesis of infinitely prolonged aggregation. We base this negation upon the appearance of simultaneity ~ presented by the heavens, contending that this simultaneity is contrary to what we would expect to find in the case of particles gathered from infinitely remote distances. Whether these particles were endowed with relative motions or not is unimportant to the consideration. In what respects do the phenomena of our universe present the appearance of simultaneous phenomena? We must remember that the suns in space are as fires which brighten only for a moment and are then extinguished. It is in this sense we must regard the longest burning of the stars. Whether just lit or just expiring counts little in eternity. The light and heat of the star is being absorbed by the ether of space as effectually and rapidly as the ocean swallows the ripple from the wings of an expiring insect. Sir William Herschel says of the galaxy of the milky way:-- "We do not know the rate of progress of this mysterious chronometer, but it is nevertheless certain that it cannot 293 last for ever, and its past duration cannot be infinite." We do not know, indeed, the rate of progress of the chronometer, but if the dial be one divided into eternal durations the consummation of any finite physical change represents such a movement of the hand as is accomplished in a single vibration of the balance wheel. Hence we must regard the hosts of glittering stars as a conflagration that has been simultaneously lighted up in the heavens. The enormous (to our ideas) thermal energy of the stars resembles the scintillation of iron dust in a jar of oxygen when a pinch of the dust is thrown in. Although some particles be burnt up before others become alight, and some linger yet a little longer than the others, in our day's work the scintillation of the iron dust is the work of a single instant, and so in the long night of eternity the scintillation of the mightiest suns of space is over in a moment. A little longer, indeed, in duration than the life which stirs a moment in response to the diffusion of the energy, but only very little. So must an Eternal Being regard the scintillation of the stars and the periodic vibration of life in our geological time and the most enduring efforts of thought. The latter indeed are no more lasting than "... the labour of ants In the light of a million million of suns." But the myriad suns themselves, with their generations, are the momentary gleam of lights for ever after extinguished. 294