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the word of God in Revelation, there is yet what St. Paul spoke of, the 
opposition of science, falsely so called, which it is the great object of this 
Institute to combat. It is not so much with the great leaders of scientific 
thought with whom we have to deal, but rather with their followers, who 
pervert their utterances, who misuse the doctrines of science and religion, and 
bring about a seeming clash where there is in reality none. (Hear, hear.) 
In the spread of knowledge at the present day the great point to be 
attained is to keep clearly before the minds of those to whom the facts 
of science often come for the first time that they are not antagonistic to the 
faith of their youth. (Hear, hear.) These things, rightly understood, are 
not antagonistic to the faith of their forefathers, but are only two forms of 
the same truth. I would say, therefore, to the theologian, Remember that in 
quietness and confidence is strength—do not be frightened by some seeming 
contradiction ; while to the would-be scientist I would say, Do not be in a 
hurry—no half-knowledge of science, even in its best-known branches, should 
teach you that, by some seeming contradiction, you have upset the faith of 
ages. And I would ask, Is it a new thing that there should be this seeming 
antagonism ? We need only turn to the early Christian apologists to find 
that almost the same battles were being fought in the first three centuries 
as we are fighting now, and we may safely have confidence that, although the 
loss may be to us if we are on the wrong side, the truth will not suffer. The 
truth shall prevail ; but there is one danger to be guarded against, and it is 
this : that there are many scientific men who feel profoundly sure that there is 
no antagonism, yet, as they never bring their minds to see what the alleged 
antagonism seems to be, they cannot get into sympathy with those who fancy 
there is an antagonism, and thus are led to stand entirely aloof from the 
controversy, having a true sense of its hollowness, but at the same time 
a false idea that it does not matter. Hollow as it is, it does matter if a 
false view of religion and science is spread abroad, as it has been spread 
abroad, among the hali-educated classes. (Hear, hear.) Our object is, as 
far as we can, to help the establishment of those principles which have been 
so well laid before us this evening, both among those who clearly understand 
the subjects dealt with; and those who only half understand them, well 
knowing that the truth will prevail, and that we need not fear the result, if 
we are but faithful to that truth. (Applause.) 
The following address, by Professor R. L. Dasney, D.D., LL.D., of 
Texas University, was then, in the author’s absence, read by Mr. D. Howard, 
V.P.I.C.,—a member of the Council. 
