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ON THE GENERAL DIFFUSJuN OF KNOWLEDGE. 



In the next place we hmd it as a matter of 

 particular importance, that the instructions of 

 science be conducted in such a manner as to 

 make a moral impression upon the heart. An 

 objection has frequently been raised by religious 

 people against the study of science, from its ten 

 dency to produce a spirit of intellectual pride ; 

 and it can scarcely be denied that there is some 

 ground for the objection, when the pursuits of 

 general knowledge are entirely separated from 

 religion. But the objects of science, when pro 

 perty exhibited, and accompanied with appropriate 

 reflections, have a very different tendency. When 

 we consider the numberless multitudes of beings 

 which exist in the universe, and the immense 

 variety of processes incessantly going forward 

 in every department of nature ; when we con 

 sider the infinite wisdom and intelligence, far 

 surpassing human comprehension, which they 

 display ; when we consider the immense magni 

 tude and extent of the universal system of created 

 beings, and the probability that man stands near 

 the lower part of the scale of rational existence, 

 and is only like an atom in the immensity of 

 creation, we perceive the most powerful mo 

 tives for humility and self-abasernent. When 

 we consider the benevolent arrangements in the 

 elements around us, and in the structure and 

 functions of animated beings, and the provision 

 made for their subsistence, it has a natural ten 

 dency to inspire the heart with gratitude and af 

 fection towards Him from whom all our comforts 

 flow. And when we reflect on the grandeur of 

 the Deity as displayed in the magnificence of 

 his empire, and in his incessant agency through 

 out all its provinces, should it not inspire us 

 with reverence and adoration, and with a lively 

 hope, that a period will arrive when we shall 

 behold the wonders and glories of his creation 

 more clearly unfolded? Such sentiments and 

 emotions, the works of God, when rightly con 

 templated, are fitted to produce 5 and to overlook 

 them in our instruction to the young, is to de 

 prive theln of some of the purest enjoyments, 

 and some of the greatest advantages, which flow 

 from scientific knowledge. When their minds 

 are deeply impressed with such emotions, they 

 are in some measure prepared for listening with 

 reverence to the declarations of the inspired 

 volume, and for perceiving the force and subli 

 mity of the description it gives of the character 

 of God. 



It would perhaps excite a smile of contempt 

 in some, who would spurn at the idea of being 

 ranked in the class of infidels, were I to insinuate, 

 that our scientific meetings and lectures should 

 be opened with prayer, and adoration of the Di 

 vine Being. It might indeed admit of a doubt, 

 whether it would be expedient to attempt such a 

 practice in the present state of society. But I 

 have no hesitation in affirming, that, to acknow 

 ledge God in all our pursuits, and to pay Him a 



tribute of adoration, are dictates of natural M 

 well as of revealed religion, and that a deist, were 

 he to act in consistency witli his avowed princi 

 ples, would engage in daily prayer to the Great 

 Author of his existence. It is expressly enjoinsd 

 in the Scriptures, &quot;In all thy ways acknowledge 

 God, and he shall direct thy steps ;&quot; and it is de 

 clared to be one of the charactei istics of the wick 

 ed man, &quot; that God is not in ail his thoughts,&quot; 

 and that, &quot; through the pride of his countenance 

 he will not call upon God.&quot; If we firmly believe 

 there is a God, we must also believe that he is 

 present in all places, and privy to all our thoughts, 

 that all our circumstances and wants are open to 

 his Omniscient eye, and that &quot; he is able to do 

 for us above all that we can ask or think.&quot; Al 

 though we are ignorant of the precise physical 

 connexion between prayer and the bestowment 

 of a favour by God, yet we ought to engage in 

 this duty, because it is accordant with the idea of 

 a Supreme Being on whom we are every moment 

 dependent, and has therefore been acknowledged 

 by the untaught barbarian, as well as by the en 

 lightened Christian ; because it is positively en 

 joined ; because there is a connexion established 

 by the Creator between asking and receiving ; 

 because it tends to fix our thoughts on the Omni 

 presence of the Divine Mind, to impress our 

 hearts with a sense of the blessings of which we 

 stand in need, and to excite earnest desires after 

 them; and, because it is one way in which we 

 may hold a direct intercourse with our Creator. 

 I would not envy the Christian feelings of that 

 man who can habitually engage in literary com 

 positions or scientific discussions, without ac 

 knowledging his Maker, and imploring his direc 

 tion and assistance. Religion degenerates into 

 something approaching to a mere inanity, when 

 its spirit and principles are not carried into every 

 department of human life and society, nor its re 

 quisitions attended to in every secular business in 

 which we engage. Till the principles of Chris 

 tianity be made to bear in all their force on every 

 department of human actions, and especially on 

 the business of education, we can scarcely ex 

 pect, that its benign tendency will be generally 

 appreciated, or that society will reap all the be 

 nefits which it, is calculated to impart. 



There are, however, certain descriptions of 

 literary characters, who, although they consider 

 it expedient to pay an occasional compliment to 

 Christianity, would consider such remarks as 

 bordering on superstition or fanaticism. When 

 we talk to them about the Christian revelation 

 in general terms, they do not choose to say any 

 thing directly against its excellence or divine au 

 thority ; but if we descend into particulars, and 

 expatiate on any of its fundamental doctrines, or 

 attempt to reduce to practice its holy requisitions, 

 we are frequently met with a contemptuous sneer, 

 or a cry of enthusiasm, and sometimes withar 

 harangue against the follies of Methodism, or of 



