179 



antiquated ideas of the middle ages rather than to allow his belief to be 

 influenced by the light afforded through modern research ; yet the fact 

 is still evident that the old views concerning some of the now well 

 proved and generally accepted truths of science to some extent yet pre- 

 vail. To the earnest student of Nature, however, theie is nothing more 

 certain than that broader and truer views of the harmony and fitness of 

 all things pertaining to the material world will be presented as know- 

 ledge of these things increases, and that a grander and more correct con- 

 ception will be afforded of the great Author by whom all things have 

 been brought into existence and by whom they are harmoniously con- 

 trolled. 



There is yet one aspect of the scientific question which to us, as 

 students of Nature in all her forms, need have no direct practical inte- 

 rest but which, owing to certain circumstances, has assumed such a 

 phase at the present day as to merit a word of explanation. To many 

 of us the expression, " conflict of religion and science," is familiar 

 enough, hiit to some at least I fancy the phrase is, to a very large 

 extent, nearly meaningless. The aims of scientific investigation are, or 

 should be, the acquisition ot truth itself concerning the phenomena of 

 Nature, and its conclusions are based upon the examination of the 

 material things around us. The aims of religion are also associated 

 with the ascertainment of truth in its highest form, but these have an 

 entirelv different bearing, and are not confined to the material, but 

 rather deal with the immaterial or immortal portion of mankind. In 

 certain points these two lines of investigation tend to converge, and in 

 such cases, owing to imperfect interpretation on one side or the other, 

 or possibly on both, there is an apparent clash of opinion. 



It is plain, however, rhat science, that is, natural science, was not 

 intended as a hand-book to each religion, except, possibly by induction 

 and in its broadest sense ; and it is equally plain that there is no reason 

 why religion should be so twisted out of her natural sphere as to cause 

 any direct interference with the teachings of science, seeing that the 

 two proceed in such entirely different lines. 



Any apparent discrepancies which may exist in the interpretation 

 of the Wo books which have been given us, viz., that of Revelation 

 which we call the Bible, and that often styled the unwritten page 



