46 INDOOE STUDIES 



been stored, sprung from minds which held correct 

 views of the physical universe. Indeed, if the 

 growth and maturity of man's moral and intellectual 

 stature were a question of material appliances or 

 conveniences, or of accumulated stores of exact 

 knowledge, the world of to-day ought to he able 

 to show more eminent achievements in all fields of 

 human activity than ever before. But this it can- 

 not do. Shakespeare wrote his plays for people 

 who believed in witches, and probably believed in 

 them himself; Dante's immortal poem could never 

 have been produced in a scientific age. Is it likely 

 that the Hebrew Scriptures would have been any 

 more precious to the race, or their influence any 

 deeper, had they been inspired by correct views of 

 physical science ? 



It is not my purpose to write a diatribe against 

 the physical sciences. I would as soon think of 

 abusing the dictionary. But as the dictionary can 

 hardly be said to be an end in itself, so I would 

 indicate that the final value of physical science is its 

 capability to foster in us noble ideals, and to lead 

 us to new and larger views of moral and spiritual 

 truths. The extent to which it is able to do this 

 measures its value to the spirit, — measures its value 

 to the educator. 



That the great sciences can do this, that they are 

 capable of becoming instruments of pure culture, 

 instruments to refine and spiritualize the whole 

 moral and intellectual nature, is no doubt true; but 

 that they can ever usurp the place of the humani- 



