SCIENCE AND ITS ACCUSERS. 379 



be strange indeed if tlie ministers of these benefits were them- 

 selves indifferent to the very objects of their labors. 



Finally, joining hands with M. de Laveleye, Miss Cobbe de- 

 clares that science destroys religion. The only reply to give on 

 this point is just this : that, if science and religion are natural 

 enemies, one must destroy the other ; that if they are not, if each 

 has its basis in nature, then neither will destroy the other ; 

 but, after a mutual adjustment of their claims, each will con- 

 firm and strengthen the other. Science is nothing else than 

 knowledge of the facts and laws of the universe. If religion can 

 not survive the acquisition of such knowledge by mankind, then 

 it must perish ; but we should be sorry to afiirm that its position 

 is so precarious. One thing is certain, Science can not go back. 

 She has begun a series of interpretations of the great book of 

 ISTature that prove to be of ever-increasing interest from year to 

 year. She can not stop in this career. The book has only been 

 fairly opened ; the true key to its hieroglyphs has just been found ; 

 the practical results already achieved by means of the knowledge 

 acquired are full of advantage in the present and of promise for 

 the future ; what is there to do, therefore, but to go forward ? 

 Men of science may, as individuals, fall into many errors. They 

 may fail to realize the true dignity of their calling ; they may be 

 unduly swayed by party spirit or by personal aims ; they may be 

 unworthy ministers of the truths which they deliver. But sci- 

 ence, what is it but truth ? And what is the scientific s^^irit but 

 the spirit that bows to truth ? To all who are dissatisfied with 

 the present currents of thought we would, therefore, say : " Criti- 

 cise men as much as you please. Point out their errors, their fail- 

 ings, intellectual and moral, with all needful severity. Hold up 

 the standard by which you think their lives and thoughts ought 

 to be governed. Criticise theories, too. Let nothing pass unchal- 

 lenged or unscrutinized that you are not satisfied is true. Let no 

 glamour of great names, no popularity of certain modes of thought, 

 deter you from expressing your dissent from what you do not be- 

 lieve. But do not put yourselves hopelessly in the wrong by 

 attacking science, or by abusing the scientific spirit. You will 

 gain nothing by it, but will merely darken your understandings, 

 and shut yourselves out from the light that is ready to lighten 

 every man that comes into the world. Science will abide. It has 

 its roots in the everlasting rocks, and draws its aliment from uni- 

 versal nature. The scientific spirit will abide, admonishing men 

 of their errors, and leading them into all truth. It is wise to be 

 reconciled to such powers as these ; even now, while you are in 

 the way with them, make terms of peace, and find rest to your 

 souls." 



