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Theology, which those who are old enough to remember it, will call to mind as 

 having characterized the discussions which arose at the infancy of Geological 

 Science in our day — I allude to the subject of Sir Charles Lyell's late work on the 

 Antiquity of Man. The conclusions that have been indicated by men of science 

 and exaggerated (as is often the case) by their followers on this topic, have 

 naturally startled the minds of many by the conflict suggested with some received 

 theological views. I do not think it is sufficiently borne in mind that the whole 

 history of physical science during the last four centuries affords sufficient con- 

 firmation of the belief that there is no just cause for the least apprehension on this 

 ground. But this is not all. It is not enough to say that any existing or apparent 

 antagonism between science and religion will die out ; this would be the truth, 

 which we often hear : but it is wanting in fairness to science because it is not the 

 whole truth. A reflection, in some respects even more important, may be 

 derived from looking back upon the influence which science — however once 

 shrunk from and dreaded for the conclusions it seemed to threaten — has even- 

 tually produced, in its gradual and insensible absorption within the very centre 

 of religious thought and language, enlarging and expanding the views it was once 

 apprehended that it would overturn, and it was at any rate believed to invade. 

 The history of Astronomy in the seventeenth century is apt to be forgotten in this 

 day. But it may be appealed to with advantage as that of a campaign far more 

 fierce and lasting than probably advancing science will ever witness again, and 

 compared with which our disputes are a mere mockery of warfare, and an echo 

 of the fear that once overspread Christendom. Yet who, in the present day, 

 would exchange the chart and title-deeds of Christian faith for those maintained 

 befor? the progressive hand of science had spread in our view the field of creative 

 wisdom and goodness as it is now understood and appreciated ? 



Had Wicliffe been asked what he thought of the progress of Physical Science 

 in reference to Revelation, it is possible he would scarcely, if at all, have recognised 

 the pertinence of the question. The very relation between them had not suffi- 

 ciently awakened to assume the form of antagonism. Of the storm raised in the 

 theological world by the discoveries and doctrines of Copernicus and Galileo, we 

 can scarcely, at this distance of time, form a conception. In the case of Astronomy 

 this storm has long passed away ; but it has not left a mere negative atmosphere 

 behind it. As the antagonism with theological opinion, mistaken for discrepancy 

 with religious Truth, died away, the relation that suggested it survived, and the 

 scientific study of the wonders of Creation was found in powerful alliance with 

 the very truths it had been supposed to threaten. It entered into the very 

 language of religion ; it did more, it became a part of religious thought, and 

 practical devotion. It is one of the purest pleasures of a life devoted to scientific 

 pursuits, to mark, when once the true reading of a complicated problem has been 

 obtained, how all the difficulties which had previously blocked up the path like 

 piles of ruin, are one by one cleared away, not by being destroyed, but by being 

 harmonised and reduced to consistency and order. Things which appeared 

 hopelessly antagonistic, are found necessary to the elucidation of each other, and 

 to the comprehension of the whole of which they form a part. And thus from 



