[72] July, 1864.
[73] Stewart's Dissertation in "Encyclopædia Britannica," vol. i. p. 142.
[74] Even physical science rejects the notion of "pure space," and it may be reasonably doubted whether "absolute vacuity" has any place in the universe of God. As a question of science, the existence of the "vacuum" is doubtful. "It may be safely asserted that hitherto all attempts at producing a perfect vacuum have failed."—Grove, "Correlation of Physical Forces," p. 134. The general tendency of science is toward a denial of its existence (p. 137). As a question of metaphysics, the human reason can only find satisfaction in believing in a spiritual Being, a living Will which "inhabiteth eternity and immensity," and "filleth all in all" with living and life-giving fullness, so that "in Him we live and move and have being."—McCosh, "Intuitions of the Mind," p. 225.
[75] "By empty space I mean distance, I mean direction: that steeple is a mile off, and not here where I sit, and it lies southeast and not north."—Herschel, "Familiar Lectures on Scientific Subjects," p. 455.
[76] Taylor, "Physical Theory of Another Life," p. 26.
[77] "The idea of space—the idea of extension—is the logical condition of the admission of the idea of the body."—"History of Philosophy," vol. ii. p. 217.
[78] "Extension is only another name for space."—"Lectures on Metaphysics," vol. ii. p. 113.
[79] "Space and extension are convertible terms."—"First Principles," p. 48.
[80] See "Intuitions," p. 223, where the terms are employed as synonymous.
[81] "L'immensité ou l'unité de l'espace."—Cousin, "Histoire de la Philosophie du xviiime Siècle," p. 121. "Infinity of extension."—McCosh, "Intuitions," p. 223. "Infinite immensity of space."—Hamilton, "Discussions," p. 36.