All these tests and criteria have been fully met by the School of Natural Science, and they are clearly outlined and set forth in the “Great Work,” addressed to “the Progressive Intelligence of the Age.”
There need be no misconception or misinterpretation at this point.
It is true that superficial thinkers and readers, enthusiasts and emotionalists, are likely to infer that the science of the soul can now be had “for a consideration” and in “a dozen easy lessons.”
All such are doomed to disappointment.
It is furthermore likely, if the average “physical scientist” pays any heed at all, that he will devise a series of “tests” and “experiments” of his own, to fit his preconceived notion of things psychical, with the latent conviction, at least, that he will be able to prove the whole thing a humbug.
These, also, are doomed to disappointment. Physical tests of psychical and spiritual laws and processes are unscientific. No spiritual problem can be solved in terms of physical matter alone.
So-called psychological science to-day is in the condition of one possessing a fine piece of ground, and gathering materials for a house, a superstructure.
The ground is already covered with bricks and stones, and sand and lumber, piled in every direction, with the purpose of one day beginning the work of construction, and the slogan, “Wait! Not yet!” “Some day we are hoping to build.”
No architect, “no designs on the trestle-board,” and so they go on accumulating “facts” and “evidence” day after day, year after year, century after century.
They have a “working hypothesis,” but no definite theorem, and they may work till doomsday on this line without a glimmer of real scientific knowledge of the human soul, yet with mountains of “facts” or of “rubbish.”