168 DR. Clarke's address. 



mena, is converted into a beautiful and consistent sclieme, of which 

 symmetry, harmony, and order, are the unvarying and essential attri- 

 butes. It is this principle which distinguishes modern science from the 

 labours of the ancients — which deposes from their usurped authority 

 the powers which Ignorance raised up to direct, control and preside 

 over the phenomena of the world. It is this principle which, as Science 

 advances, gathers fresh proofs of the profound mechanism of the uni- 

 verse, and which, amid all the seeming discrepancy and real dissimi- 

 larity — the vast complexity and inexhaustible variety — the infinitely 

 minute and inconceivably great — shews all nature to be interpenetrated 

 and pervaded by Laws whose operation is constant, unvarying, and 

 universal ; and as the discovery of truth almost necessarily implies the 

 exposure of error, it is by this principle that the human mind is disen- 

 thralled from the baneful influence of superstition, and the road to truth 

 disencumbered of the impediments which retard our progress. 



Lastly, and certainly not the least important consequence of the in- 

 ductive philosophy it is, that as the bounds of our knowledge are ex- 

 tended, the single Personality of the Deity becomes a more convincing 

 and unimpeachable truth, and our views of the Divine perfections grow 

 more exalted and sublime as they become more just and rational. 



And when we contemplate the magnificent array of science — the 

 accumulated wisdom of the world — the reflection which is forced on our 

 minds is — not any shallow boast of knowledge — not any overweening 

 pride of reason — but a humble yet confident hope, a deep and influ- 

 ential conviction, that the being who has thus lifted up the veil from 

 the seeming mysteries of Nature — who has penetrated, as it were, the 

 counsels of the Deity, and brought to light countless proofs of his 

 wisdom, goodness, and power, must be with Him an object of care and 

 favour ; and that we are not only thereby raised in the scale of moral 

 intellectual existences, but permitted, in some degree, a foretaste and 

 anticipation of that state of being when we shall no longer behold His 

 image darkly shadowed forth in His works, but shall see him "face 

 to face " in the fulness of knowledge. 



