114 REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS 



wholly without justice, a vague speculation, surely the speculative mode of 

 procedure and of investigation, always amply supported by, and based on, well- 

 known truths , will not be discarded as dangerous, but must, on the contrary, 

 by the enlightened and intelligent, be considered as orthodox a process of the 

 mind as direct observation. Doubtless we are intended thus to act to the extent 

 of our ability, and the true philosopher will never rest satisfied with discovering 

 what every one may ascertain for himself, but, soaring immeasurably above 

 the range of ordinary intellects, discovers the laws by which the universe is 

 governed. 



Shall we be told that such men, self-conceited and arrogant," despise the 

 Scriptures, lay aside Revelation, or become atheists? We may be answered in 

 the affirmative, and unquestionably some of the most eminent scientific men have 

 been called atheists. But we reject the imputation with scorn. A scientific 

 man may be an atheist, but does it hence follow that his knowledge of science 

 deprived him of his belief in the Deity ? Assuredly not ; for although an indivi- 

 dual so organized as to be incapable of conceiving the existence of an Almighty 

 Governor of the Universe may advance to the first rank in science or literature, 

 yet, to a mind more happily constituted, every additional fact learned or discovered 

 only serves to substantiate his belief in the one only true God, and to raise his 

 thoughts in wonder and admiration to the symmetry and presiding intelligence 

 observable alike in the minutest and apparently most trifling object in Nature and 

 the most sublime ornament of Creation. 



We do not mean to say that a belief in God and scientific knowledge by any 

 means necessarily go hand in hand, since the latter may be prosecuted in a 

 manner altogether independent of the former - ; but when they are investigated 

 jointly, the one will be found to assist the other to a degree on the outset little 

 calculated. 



We object, therefore, both to refusing credence to speculations because they are 

 such, and to undervaluing all modern theories ; and, with humble and profound 

 reverence for the Scriptures, properly studied, cannot but deprecate the false phi- 

 losophy of endeavouring to learn science from the Bible, and, above all, the absurd 

 method of remaining satisfied with that source alone, while looking down upon 

 those who advance further, or proceed in a different manner, as atheists and 

 impostors — terms which, while they frequently and generally fail to injure those 

 eminent individuals at whom they are aimed, rebound with tenfold force upon 

 the ignorant multitude ever ready to detract from the justly-earned laurels of 

 their superiors in intellectual, moral, and physical excellence. 



Of Mr. Gisborne's pages we have little further to add ; but we consider them 

 deserving of perusal, though we would not recommend implicit reliance on any 

 thing but reason, from whatever quarter emanating. 



