of human intelligence in the face of that which transcends human intelligence.  While towards the traditions and authorities of men its attitude may be proud, before the impenetrable veil which hides the Absolute its attitude is humble—­a true pride and a true humility.  Only the sincere man of science (and by this title we do not mean the mere calculator of distances, or analyser of compounds, or labeller of species; but him who through lower truths seeks higher, and eventually the highest)—­only the genuine man of science, we say, can truly know how utterly beyond, not only human knowledge but human conception, is the Universal Power of which Nature, and Life, and Thought are manifestations.

We conclude, then, that for discipline, as well as for guidance, science is of chiefest value.  In all its effects, learning the meanings of things, is better than learning the meanings of words.  Whether for intellectual, moral, or religious training, the study of surrounding phenomena is immensely superior to the study of grammars and lexicons.

* * * * *

Thus to the question we set out with—­What knowledge is of most worth?—­the uniform reply is—­Science.  This is the verdict on all the counts.  For direct self-preservation, or the maintenance of life and health, the all-important knowledge is—­Science.  For that indirect self-preservation which we call gaining a livelihood, the knowledge of greatest value is—­Science.  For the due discharge of parental functions, the proper guidance is to be found only in—­Science.  For that interpretation of national life, past and present, without which the citizen cannot rightly regulate his conduct, the indispensable key is—­Science.  Alike for the most perfect production and highest enjoyment of art in all its forms, the needful preparation is still—­Science.  And for purposes of discipline—­intellectual, moral, religious—­the most efficient study is, once more—­Science.  The question which at first seemed so perplexed, has become, in the course of our inquiry, comparatively simple.  We have not to estimate the degrees of importance of different orders of human activity, and different studies as severally fitting us for them; since we find that the study of Science, in its most comprehensive meaning, is the best preparation for all these orders of activity.  We have not to decide between the claims of knowledge of great though conventional value, and knowledge of less though intrinsic value; seeing that the knowledge which proves to be of most value in all other respects, is intrinsically most valuable:  its worth is not dependent upon opinion, but is as fixed as is the relation of man to the surrounding world.  Necessary and eternal as are its truths, all Science concerns all mankind for all time.  Equally at present and in the remotest future, must it be of incalculable importance for the regulation of their conduct, that men should understand the science of life, physical, mental, and social; and that they should understand all other science as a key to the science of life.