THE AGE OF SCIENCE 231 



suppose the idea here, too, is that the games are played 

 accurately; that is, to use the technical expression, without 

 errors. 



Again, there are those who seem to think that science is 

 something that has been devised by the Evil One for the 

 purpose of undermining religion. This idea is not so com- 

 mon as it was a few years ago, when the professors of 

 scientific subjects in our colleges were generally objects of 

 suspicion. The change which has come over the world in 

 this respect within my own memory is simply astounding. 

 In general terms an agreement has been reached between 

 those who represent religion and those who represent 

 science. This agreement is certainly not final, but it gives 

 us a modus Vivendi, and the clash of arms is now rarely 

 heard. Religion now takes into consideration the claims 

 of science, and science recognizes the great fundamental 

 truths of religion. Each should strengthen the other, and 

 in time, no doubt, each will strengthen the other. 



Probably the idea most commonly held in regard to 

 science is that it is something that gives us a great many 

 useful inventions. The steam-engine, the telegraph, the 

 telephone, the trolley car, dyestuffs, medicines, explosives 

 these are the fruits of science, and without these science 

 is of no avail. I propose farther on to discuss this subject 

 more fully than I can at this stage of my remarks, so that 

 I may pass over it lightly here. I need only say now that 

 useful inventions are not a necessary consequence of scien- 

 tific work, and that scientific work does not depend upon 

 useful applications for its value. These propositions, 

 which are familiar enough to scientific men, are apt to 

 surprise those who are outside of scientific circles. I hope 

 before I get through to show you that the propositions are 

 true. 



Science, then, is not simply accuracy, although it would 

 be worthless if it were not accurate; it is not devised for 

 the purpose of undermining religion; and its object is not 

 the making of useful inventions. Then what is it? One 



