22 Introduction. | Jan. 
many things which readier pens or abler minds would have treated 
with accuracy and clearness, we have a few parting words to add to 
our readers, and more especially to a large class to whom we look for 
considerable support, and who may do much to facilitate our labours ; 
we mean ministers of religion. 
It would avail us little, if, after intimating, as we have done in the 
preceding pages, that the social, and even the political bearings of 
Science will not be overlooked, we were to remain silent on the great 
question of Theology. To do this, would be simply to arouse suspi- 
cion, and lead to misconstructions which a frank exposition of our 
views may obviate: and we have less hesitation in approaching so de- 
licate a question, from the conviction that however adverse may be the 
views of individuals, or even, here and there, of some body of narrow- 
minded theologians, a vast majority of our religious teachers look with 
anxiety, and without apprehension, upon each new revelation of the 
laws of nature, and watch with interest its bearings upon theological 
inquiry. Scientific knowledge will never lower man’s religious nature, 
nor render it any less devotional, unless it be employed for worldly 
purposes, or perverted to private ends by the promptings of passion. 
Sound Science must make some enemies, for, as we have already said, 
it drives superstition before it, as chaff is driven before the wind, and 
it may answer this or that prophet of our day to sneer at its propounders 
as self-righteous, or to hold them up to scorn as infidels; but every 
sincere and devoted preacher of the Truth, knows it to be not only to 
his interest, but that it is indispensable that he should be acquainted 
with other branches of knowledge than those immediately connected 
with his vocation, and that he should at least march abreast with, if 
not precede, the foremost rank of lay intelligence. That many such 
inquiring men will be amongst our readers, as they may already be 
found amongst our contributors, we have no doubt whatever, and the 
question arises, how shall we deal with such subjects as are supposed 
to have a more or less direct bearing upon Theology ? 
‘There need be no hesitation in furnishing the reply. 
Tt would ill serve the ends of truth in any form, if we were to in- 
terfere with the free discussion of scientific topics on the ground that 
the views enunciated might give offence to the believers in some par- 
ticular theological doctrine. Such a course would defeat rather than 
promote the ends of true religion, and it may even be necessary that 
we should now and then be tolerant of the expressions of what may 
appear erroneous or extreme views, for the purpose of ultimately elimi- 
nating the truth. Whilst, however, we have too much faith in the good 
taste and right feeling of our collaborateurs to suppose that freedom 
of discussion would ever be employed as a cloak for irreverence, we 
