198 The Microscope. 



nostic. We," as students of nature, are not dependent upon met- 

 aphysics but find at our doors constantly the evidence of the 

 truth. 



Mr. Smith hinted at the great work already accomplished 

 by the study of science which has resulted in the ocean cable 

 and other inventions having a bearing on our comfort and pro- 

 gress. He said that he presumed that all the members of his so- 

 ciety are believers in the Darwinian theory, and spoke of the 

 evidences of development as shown in a pure tone from the pul- 

 pit and other things from the forum and the exchange. It was 

 far from his purpose, he said, to urge a further study of science 

 in the schools and more science from Ihe pulpit. All this will 

 come in time. Such a student as he who discovered the influence 

 of the electric current, on the magnetic needle has done more for 

 the world than the demagogue who struts his brief time on the 

 stage of human existence and then disappears. That quiet dis- 

 covery by a Copenhagen student has had an immense influence 

 on all branches of industry from the telegraph to electro-plating. 



The speaker referred satirically to those good old days when 

 men grew old before their time, when geologists were considered 

 akin to infidels, when the divine right of kings was believed in 

 and the luxuries which we now enjoy were unknown. It is quite 

 the fashion to rave about those good old times, but we would 

 not want them back again. We would scarcely give up our rail- 

 roads and telegraphs and our table luxuries, nowWcessities, for 

 the good old times. As we look upon the luxury of the present 

 as compared with the past we may ask, " How did our grand- 

 mothers live ?" They did not live, growing old as they did before 

 their time, but they were comparatively far advanced beyond 

 what their ancestors were. Every gathering like the present 

 has its benefit in human progress. We sometimes hear of con- 

 flict between science and religion, but it is only apparent, It 

 was but a few years ago when good men looked upon geology 

 as akin to infidelity, forgetting that astronomy had at one time 

 been considered equally dangerous, but had come to be re- 

 cognized as attesting the glory of God. So in time geology has 

 become recognized as not in conflict with true religion. Profes- 

 sor Smith said that he could remember when physicians were 

 shy of the microscope. To-day, while there are a few old prac- 



