The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

INORGANIC ELEMENTS. 99As we have seen, all that appears m motion,is transmutation or conversion of energy; accordinglyit follows, that there is change ofposition, but no destruction of energy, or absolutedisappearance of it from existencc.This generalization is illustrated by a mostattractive series of observations, introducingto a fuller knowledge of the laws of heat.The natural tendency of ordinary observationis to favor the opinion that when work hasbeen done, energy is spent or lost. And thispopular notion, which has a kind of accuracy,in so far as it is needful to make fresh draughtsupon available resources, is favored by referenceto the economy of our bodily existenceconstantly renewing its demand for fresh foodsupply. But this popular tendency is easilyexplained by the circumstance that ordinaryobservation makes much more account of thephenomena of motion, than of the developmentof heat as a direct consequence. Themachinist can not, indeed, afford to make littleof the consequences of friction; but theordinary observer makes much more of mass,and complication of mechanical contrivance,&!d velocity of movement. From this hepasses easily to the fabric, or other produc-