closely related to ordinary matter, there ought to be some
traceable indications of the fact. At least, until the contrary
can be shown, we must refuse to believe that all the testimony in
a case like this is utterly inaccessible; and accordingly, so
long as none is found, especially so long as none is even
alleged, we feel that a presumption is raised against their
theory.

These illustrations will show, by sheer contrast, how different
it is with the hypothesis of an unseen world that is purely
spiritual. The testimony in such a case must, under the
conditions of the present life, be forever inaccessible. It lies
wholly outside the range of experience. However abundant it may
be, we cannot expect to meet with it. And accordingly our failure
to produce it does not raise even the slightest presumption
against our theory. When conceived in this way, the belief in a
future life is without scientific support; but at the same time
it is placed beyond the need of scientific support and beyond the
range of scientific criticism. It is a belief which no imaginable
future advance in physical discovery can in any way impugn. It is
a belief which is in no sense irrational, and which may be
logically entertained without in the least affecting our
scientific habit of mind or influencing our scientific
conclusions.

To take a brief illustration: we have alluded to the fact that in
the history of our present world the development of mental
phenomena has gone on hand in hand with the development of
organic life, while at the same time we have found it impossible
to explain mental phenomena as in any sense the product of