COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



asserted alike by Christianity and by inferior 

 historic religions — is asserted with equal em- 

 phasis by that Cosmic Philosophy which seeks 

 its data in science alone. Thus, as Mr. Lewes 

 long ago observed, the remark of Comte, that 

 the heavens declare no other glory than the 

 glory of Hipparchos and Newton, and such 

 others as have aided in detecting the order of 

 sequence among celestial phenomena, seems as 

 irrational to the scientific inquirer as it seems 

 impious to the religious mind. The Cosmist 

 may assert, as consistently as the Anthropomor- 

 phist, that " the undevout astronomer is mad." 

 Though science must destroy mythology, it can 

 never destroy religion ; and to the astronomer 

 of the future, as well as to the Psalmist of old, 

 the heavens will declare the glory of God. 



Before proceeding further to expound this 

 theorem, in which science and religion find their 

 reconciliation, it is desirable to turn aside for a 

 moment and contrast the views here expounded 

 with the views maintained by Comte concerning 

 the true object of the religious feeling. We 

 shall thus the better elucidate our own position, 

 while once more pointing out the world-wide 

 difference between our philosophy and Positiv- 

 ism. Let us examine the conception of Deity 

 formed by the thinker to whom the heavens 

 manifested no other glory than that of Hip- 

 parchos and Newton and their compeers. 

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