1879.] 1^'J [Chase. 



Faith cannot take the place of action or of reason ; action cannot take the 

 place of faith or of reason ; reason cannot take the place of faith or of ac- 

 tion. The province of faith is, however, the highest, hecause it deals direct- 

 ly with eternal verities, and because it furnishes the sole authority for ac- 

 tion and reason ; the province of action is next in order of dignity, because 

 it determines character ; the province of reason is the lowest, because it 

 deals mostly with temporal and worldly relations, and because it indicates 

 a defective intelligence, which can only slowly and laboriously reach a clear 

 understanding of the contents of simple intuitions. 



None of the facts, either of theology or of metaphysics or of physics, 

 can be gainsaid. Some of them are naturally, and some are spiritually dis- 

 cerned. They may all be known, because God has revealed himself, not 

 only as Power and as Way, but also as Wisdom and Love, as Truth and Life. 

 In the coincident union of perfect humanity and perfect w T isdom is found 

 the Divine image, in which man was made and by which we are able to have 

 the positive assurance, of full and indisputable self-evidence, in regard to all 

 things which God has been pleased to reveal to us and which we are wil- 

 ling to accept. Theories have no binding authority upon any one, and they 

 have no value except as they may be made tributary to the discovery or to 

 the application of new truths or new harmonies. Theologians, metaphy- 

 sicians and physicists should all be mindful of the behest, "ne sutor ultra 

 crepidam;" they should also remember that the best interpretation of any 

 truth is the one which accords most fully with all other truths. The high- 

 est philosophy is that which is best fitted for the highest capabilities of im- 

 mortal intelligence. The surest foundation for philosophy is the one on 

 which Christianity is built, the Rock of Ages, the Eternal Word and Wis- 

 dom of God. 



Stated Meeting, January 3, 1879. 



Present, 5 members. 



Vice-President, Mr. Fraley, in the Chair. 



A letter requesting exchanges of Proceedings, was received 

 from Mr. P. Casamajor, Corresponding Secretary American 

 Chemical Society, No. 11 East Fourteenth street, ISTew York 

 City, dated January 1, 1879. On motion the name of that 

 Society was ordered to be placed on the list of correspondents 

 to receive the Proceedings. 



A letter requesting exchanges was received from Prof. 

 Carus, editor of the Zoologischer Anzeiger, through Mr. E. 

 L. Mark, Instructor in Zoology in Harvard University, 

 dated 48 Shephard street, Cambridge, Mass., December 23, 



PBOC AMER. PHILOS. SOC. XVIII. 103. T. PRINTED MARCH 10, 1879. 



