Science affects our most cherished beliefs. 143 



corrections of the intellect are applied to the evidence 

 of the senses and feelings. The correctness or other- 

 wise of our present beliefs will be tested in the future 

 as others have been in the past, and the new experi- 

 ences requisite for the purpose will probably be 

 obtained by means of original research. It is a great 

 mistake to suppose that the warrantable inferences 

 deduced from scientific knowledge will not sooner or 

 later profoundly influence questions relating to the 

 highest hopes and aspirations of the human race, such 

 as the independent existence and immortality of the 

 human soul; that of a personal Ruler of the Universe; 

 freedom of the will ; the origin of evil ; future 

 reward and punishment ; &c. By extension of know- 

 ledge a scientific system of morality will be formed. 

 The great principles which govern the phenomena of 

 all bodies are gradually being discovered, and when 

 found we deductively apply them to ourselves, and 

 thus arrive at a knowledge of our true position in 

 nature, our duties, our proper course of conduct, &c. 

 Science also by disclosing to us the true relations of 

 matter to mind in the human brain, will probably not 

 only make known to us the true limits of our mental 

 powers and of the knowable, but also help to solve 

 the problems of the relations of the Universe and of 

 Man to an intelligent Creator. It will decide such 

 questions, largely by shewing us whether or not the 

 ideas we entertain respecting them are consistent 

 with the more extensive knowledge evolved by 

 research. A part of the data from which we may 



