Science produces uniformity of belief . 141 



erroneous. A knowledge of science tends to remove 

 differences of opinion between man and man, because 

 it enables every honest examiner to obtain essentially 

 similar results. Scientific research will gradually dis- 

 close what is true and what is untrue in doctrine and 

 empirical rules ; and what is true will be retained^ 

 A universal religion or a scientific philosophy which 

 is composed of contradictory creeds cannot be wholly 

 true. Science is gradually superseding unreasonable 

 beliefs, and inaugurating a true universal gospel in 

 which all men will eventually think alike in funda- 

 mental matters. The continued discovery of new 

 truth must of necessity sooner or later lead mankind 

 to the source of all truth and to universal satisfaction 

 and happiness. It has been frequently stated that 

 science is antagonistic to religion ; it is evident 

 however that as science is so conducive to morality, it 

 cannot be opposed to true religion, but only to false 

 or unfounded beliefs. Nothing shews more plainly a 

 weakness of moral confidence and a deficiency of 

 faith in an over-ruling power, than a fear that the 

 pursuit of scientific truth will lead to results injurious 

 to mankind. What we most need to fear is, not that 

 our most cherished doctrinal beliefs may be proved to 

 be mistakes, but that we through deficiency of know- 

 ledge may be led to do wrong. 



There are plenty of questions, especially in matters 

 of theory and doctrine in concrete subjects, which 

 science cannot directly and absolutely decide either 

 one way or the other, but respecting which, by the 



