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The Secret of the Universe
"God, Man and Matter"
By 
NATHAN R. WOOD
New York: F. H. Revel & Co.[1932]
 
INTRODUCTION
 W 
HEN
the Hebrew Singer, marveling at the fact of which he had no doubt, that man is visited by God, exclaimed "When I consider Thy Heavens," he was undoubtedly comparing the apparent littleness of man with the vastness of the universe of which he wasconscious. The expression "Thy heavens" included for him that universe whose existence was demonstrated by the "Moon and the stars." Evidently it was a song composed at night.Like all inspired expressions it was inclusive. How much it included, the Singer certainly did not know. How vast the universe is, we even now do not know. But to-day we know its vastness far better than David did. Science bewilders us with its affirmations as to its extent.This enlargement of apprehension does but accentuate for thinking minds the wonder of it,and creates what we now often describe, borrowing Haeckel's words, as "The Riddle of theUniverse." To recognize a riddle, is to postulate a solution. Finally, somewhere, somehow,there must be a whole, which resolves all parts into itself. Perhaps we should say 
—
that is theconviction of faith, which is the last word of reason. The mind of man has been seeking ever for a statement of that Whole in terms which include all the parts, in other wordsasking "What is the Secret of the Universe?" For every suggestion which Philosophy hasmade we are grateful, for its blunders which have needed correction and so have helped us,as well as for its recognitions of principles and laws which abide.To that great Quest President Nathan Wood has made a contribution in this book. To meit is more than a Quest, it is a Conquest. In bulk this book is small. In reach it is as vast asthe Universe. I could describe it as "The Philosophy of the Universe." The Authorprobably would prefer to call it "A Philosophy of the Universe." Whether "The," with itssuggestion of finality, or "A," calling for further investigation, it is Philosophy, and must make an appeal to all who are seeking light on the fascinating mystery.Personally when Dr. Wood did me the honor of allowing me to peruse the manuscript, Iread it with growing amazement, at the final inclusiveness of its outlook, and the clear andcogent statement of its examination of those parts which interpret the whole. The first threeparts of the book are as fascinating as a Fairy Story. That perhaps is an unfortunate figureof speech as it may suggest something fanciful. I employ it rather in the sense that truth isstranger than fiction. The final part requires more careful, or shall I say slower reading, asthe Author gives us a keen and penetrative analysis of the Universe.It is not the work of an introduction to give away a "secret." That must be discovered by thereader of the book. At least I do not hesitate to say here is a book, startling, challenging,scholarly, sane, courteous; and it must make its appeal to the consideration of those whoare not content to drift through life taking things as they are, but desire to challenge life, not only in its passing hours, and nearest dust, but in its vastness and entirety. In this age, whenPhilosophy has really had nothing new to say for many generations, but has been satisfied with garbing in new terminology the thinking of other days, here is a book which will surely make men stop-look-and-listen. I would like to put a copy first in the hands of every 
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