In addition to the solids, liquids and gases which compose the
Chemical Region of
the[pg 062]Physical World there is also a finer grade of matter called Ether, which
permeates the atomic structure of the earth and its atmosphere substantially as science
teaches. Scientists have never seen, nor have they weighed, measured or analyzed this
substance, but they infer that it must exist in order to account for transmission of light
and various other phenomena. If it were possible for us to live in a room from which the air
had been exhausted we might speak at the top of our voices, we might ring the largest bell
or we might even discharge a cannon close to our ear and we should hear no sound, for air is
the medium which transmits sound vibrations to the tympanum of our ear, and that would be
lacking. But if an electric light were lighted, we should at once perceive its rays; it
would illumine the room despite the lack of air. Hence there must be a substance, capable of
being set into vibration, between the electric light and our eyes. That medium scientists
call ether, but it is so subtile that no instrument has been devised whereby it may be
measured or analyzed and therefore the scientists are without much information concerning
it, though forced to postulate its existence. [pg 063]
We do not seek to belittle the achievements of modern scientists,
we have the greatest admiration for them and we entertain high expectations of what
ambitions they may yet realize, but we perceive a limitation in the fact, that all
discoveries of the past have been made by the invention of wonderful instruments applied in
a most ingenious manner to solve seemingly insoluble and baffling problems. The strength of
science lies vested in its instruments, for the scientist may say to anyone: Go, procure a
number of glasses ground in a certain manner, insert them in a tube, direct that tube toward
a certain point in the sky where now nothing appears to your naked eye. You will then see a
beautiful star called Uranus. If his directions are followed, anyone is quickly and without preparation,
able to demonstrate for himself the truth of the scientist's assertion. But while the
instruments of science are its tower of strength they also mark the end of its field of
investigation, for it is impossible to contact the spirit world with physical instruments, so the
research of occultists begins where the physical scientist finds his limit and are carried
on by spiritual
means. [pg 064]
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