some of you to be contrary to reason, to be unreasonable and
impossible. It is so above reason, that till two hundred years ago,
no one suspected that it was true. And yet it is strictly true.

What is more soft and yielding, more frail and vanishing, than steam?
And what is stronger than steam? I know nothing. Steam it is which
has lifted up the mountains from the sea into the clouds. Steam it
is which tears to pieces the bowels of the earth with earthquakes and
volcanoes, shaking down cities, rasping the solid rocks into powder,
and scattering them far and wide in dust over the face of the land.

What gives to steam its enormous force is beyond our reason. We do
not know. But so far from being contrary to our reason, we have
learnt that the laws of steam are as reasonable as any other of God's
laws. We can calculate its force, we can make it, use it, and turn
its mighty powers, by reason and science, into our most useful and
obedient slave, till it works ten thousand mills, and sends ten
thousand ships across the sea.

Above reason, I say, but not contrary to reason, is the mighty power
of steam.

And God, who made all these wonders--and millions of wonders more--
must he not be more wonderful than them all? Must not his being and
essence be above our reason? But need they be, therefore, contrary
to our reason? Not so.

Nevertheless, some will say, How can one be many? How can one be
three? Why not? Two are one in you, and every man. Your body is
you, and your soul is you. They are two. But you know yourself that