334 



SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGA TION 



views are discovered to be less true than was supposed and 

 the old doctrines not so false as had been asserted. At 

 length the new generalizations are laughed at and discarded, 

 and sometimes very old inferences are revived. Just at 

 this time indeed, we are assured that the philosophy of 

 more than two thousand years ago is after all the only true 

 philosophy, and that which alone should receive the support 

 of modern science. Men who consider themselves most 

 advanced scientific thinkers are endeavouring to persuade 

 us to revert to doctrines the general acceptance of which 

 would soon lead to changes that would render progress no 

 longer possible, and bring about a revival of the darkest 

 ages through which intellectual man has passed. It has 

 been affirmed that scientific progress will gradually force upon 

 us the conviction that the belief in Omnipotence must be 

 given up. And this, notwithstanding the fact, that at least 

 up to this present time, some of the most distinguished 

 scientific investigators have been eminently religious per- 

 sons. The bearers of names that will never be forgotten 

 have left behind them evidence of their devotion to the 

 cause of religion, and have not hesitated to record the help 

 and encouragement religious faith has afforded them in the 

 steady prosecution of their never-ceasing labours. 



But it may be fairly questioned whether the scientific 

 investigator of these days should start as it were in his 

 enquiries from the side of faith ? Ought he to pursue his 

 scientific investigations only with the sanction and under 

 the guidance of the teachers of religion ? I feel no hesita- 

 tion in confidently expressing the opinion he ought to be 

 entirely free as free to report facts that may seem to be 

 utterly incompatible with religious views as to publish re- 



