The Consolations of Science: Or, Contributions from Science to the Hope of Immortality, and ...

Front matter

Google to make the world's books discoverable online.

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject

to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books

Preface

AWOBD with the reader is asked before he enters on the perusal of the following pages. While I have no apologies to offer for imperfections that may be found in the work, I am desirous that the benefits intended in my labors shall be realized. None will dispute that the subject treated is of the very greatest magnitude and interest, — ^the most difficult to properly treat, and one in respect to which there is the most intense solicitude.

My calling in life has supplied me a many-years' intimacy with the newly bereaved and the dying not alone, but with the thoughtful people not intimately in the presence of death. And it was from the voices of minds in those conditions that I was prompted to set about these labors.

It was also seen that many times where there exists the most serene confidence that all is weli, there remain yearnings for still more definite light, — particularly from the facts of nature — ^from the established truths of science. In the present time, when the more capable minds are so strongly impressed with the results of science, and the necessity that every theory should be solvable by the facts of nature, while still choosing to believe^ entire contentment in the claim of a future life would, generally, require that some form of proof from nature should sustain it. It is also to be seen that the believer, as well as the unbeliever, is represented in the demand for light from this source.

Such a disposition is, however, not to be rated as really unbelieving. Nor, in the full light of the facts, is it to be deplored. It is characterized by a happy indication. It indicates an expectance, if not of a stronger abstract belief, still of a stronger assurance, by foreseeing the added means of belief from nature's own evidence. The power of abstract belief is in many ways of great value, when not abused ; and should be well cultivated. But in its import of good to man, it is not the equal of this much needed assurance of life's continuance in another and superior world.

Besides, this, also, has been a motive to the undertaking of the work : that, if successful, it would not only effect great relief and happiness to many, but would add new stimuli to moral and spiritual enterprises generally.

In setting about the work, it was foreseen, at once, that, to meet the ends in view, there were certain difficulties to be encountered ; provided it should be treated afBbrmatively and aggressively, as the facts were warrantiQg and as it required to be done. First, the facts to be employed were mainly in the biological and psychological field. And though they were familiar to readers of that class of literature, it was literature little familiar to the average reader; while to a very large class who were had in mind, the facts and their principles would be altogether new. And without procuring from them a

PBEPACE. 7

considerable application of thought in reading, the import would, at times, fail to be apprehended.

Also, in making the application of these facts, without this previous qualification, at times effort would be required to follow the lines of evidence, on the part of those not readily inclined to the labor of close reasoning. Then, too, though the facts might be sufficiently familiar, and so, also, the processes of reasoning employed, their new application might, for a time, be to some extent confusing. But mainly in the new appUeO' turn of old facts, lies the achievement of the work.

These difficulties were constantly in mind in its execution. Language was sought with reference to its simplicity. Figures were, for the most part, left unused. And so, too, as far as practicable, of technicalities. Facts were defined and applied in the barest forms of language possible. And it is confidently believed that by the painstaking of which the subject will, by most people, be deemed worthy, the most abstruse parts of the work teill be satisfactorily mastered, by quite nearly every one of ordinary education.

It is, however, impossible to make light reading of such a subject. Hence, it is not claimed for the booL None should be encouraged to find it of such a character. Only when one is veiling to bestow a worthy amount of labor on a subject which involves so great an interest, should he be encouraged to set out upon the task of reading it.

Besides, it is not expected to run on as smoothly as would a book of equal profundity which consists largely of but the repetition of often exhibited and familiar thoughts. It would be more proper to consider it as a text-book on the subject matter on which it treats, and to be frequently reviewed and referred to, than that a casual reading of it should suffice.

Preparatory to the main part of the work, there are placed several chapters on subjects not intimately relating thereto, by the following of which it was hoped the reader, not conversant with its line of thought, might be led in some measure to anticipate the principles employed and the manner of their employment ; thus the more readily to follow the courses of the arguments to their proper conclusions. Also, for the sake of simplicity, but few authorities are brought in. They are such, however, as are quite universally established, and which could be conveniently referred to in any place ; or, with little trouble, be procured from publishers. Many tempting references from equally good, but more obscure, authors were from this consideration set aside.

Though indirectly, in the main, the subject of a future life has been quite extensively written upon. The possibilities and probabilities as to such a state, have in this way been searched over with much care and learning ; though with quite opposite results. Generally, too, little has been attempted beyond what is merely specu-

PBEFACE. 9

lation. Hence, it is to be expected that, by many, the appearance of this work will be regarded with a negative interest — as but still another on the list of unsuccessful attempts to scientifically ground the hope of man's future life and immortality. It is, however, to be hoped that in such cases, in the prospect of a new method of treating the subject, there may be encouragement sufficient to cause an examination of the claims here submitted.

I am unconscious of having treated the subject in any place negatively or tentatively ; but in all places positively and conclusively ; from a sense of entire assurance that with an adequate exposition of the facts, their evidence of a future life not alone, but of a proper immortality, could not be disputed. Only where I have made due mention of it, have I varied from this rule. And these instances were not where the main question was under consideration ; but only where the probable conditions incident to the established fact, were canvassed.

Hence, what failures may be found in making the conclusions attained legitimate, are attributable to oversight in the clear rendering of the arguments employed, and not to a want of a requisite tendency of the facts themselves. But at no stage of an investigation is all said that can and will be said. And what has in this work been imperfectly accomplished, the future, at some hands, will make more clear and strong.

The work was originally designed in two volumes. And in changing the plan, with a view to harmony with plans concerning other forthcoming works, to bring the essential matter into the limits of one, required abridging, in some places, more than I felt sure was best. It would have satisfied me better to have expanded more under some heads. But the limits were fixed over which I could not consistently pass.

In a word to friends who have, for years, been urging me to hasten its publication, I would say that it seemed to me best to make haste slowly, and to mature thorou^y a system of evidence, which, from its being so largely new to the popular mind, might be extensively misunderstood and excite much hostile criticism. I have hastened, but not at the cost of. thoroughness. All needed time I freely gave to it. On the literature I bestowed less thought than on the subject matter. If in that respect I have been successful enough to leave my positions well understood, I am content.

J. STRAUB.

Chicago, lU., 1884.

Table Of Contents

Page Intbodugtion -.-.•-•15

CHAPTEB L The Pubpobe Indicated 25

CHAPTEB n.