INTRODUCTOKY. 23 



that those who can misrepresent the opinions of others 

 in order to strengthen their own arguments, would 

 have little hesitation in falsifying facts to subserve a 

 similar purpose. They talk of reUgion and infidelity. 

 There is no profession of religion more offensive than 

 that which, under the assumption of superior piety, 

 attempts to vilify the honest convictions of others; the 

 " stand aside because I am holier than thou art," is 

 in general as void of reality as it is wanting in Chris- 

 tian humility and charity. They talk of reconcihation 

 between the utterances of science and religious beliefs, 

 as if true religion and sound science ever have been 

 or can be at variance. If religion means belief in 

 certain dogmas and adherence to certain ritualistic 

 forms, science and religion may often be in conflict ; 

 but if, on the other hand, the exercise of religion con- 

 sists in search after truth, regard to the relations in 

 which we are placed to the universe, and devotion to 

 the Great Author of all, then science and religion are 

 at one, and need no reconciliation. 



We are anxious at the outset to place the ques- 

 tion on a fair footing as regards its reUgious aspects, 

 because men of science have hitherto been too much 

 deterred from giving expression to their opinions 

 through fear of incurring accusations of scepticism and 

 infideUty. There is nothing more frequent than de- 

 nunciations from the pulpit and platform against the 



