38 THE LIGHT OF DAY 



mind which makes science or exact knowledge possi- 

 ble — a state of muid which in our time, I am aware, 

 is carrying things with a high hand. I know full 

 well that science does not make up the sum total 

 of life ; that there are many things in this world 

 that count for more than exact knowledge. A 

 noble sentiment, an heroic impulse, courage, and 

 self-sacrifice — how all your exact demonstrations 

 pale before these things ! But I recognize the fact 

 that within its own sphere science is supreme, and 

 its sphere is commensurate with human reason ; and 

 that, when an appeal is made to it, we must abide 

 by the result. Theology assumes to be a science, 

 the science of God, and as such the evidence, the 

 proof upon which it relies, must stand the test of 

 reason, or be capable of verification. Religion, as a 

 sentiment, as an aspiration after the highest good, is 

 one thing ; but formulated into a system of theology 

 and assuming to rest upon exact demonstration, is 

 quite another. As such it is exposed to the terrible 

 question. Is it true ? In other words, it comes 

 within the range of science, and must stand its fire. 

 When miracles are brought forward as an evidence 

 of the truth of Christianity, the natural philosopher 

 is bound to ask, Do miracles take place ? 



If our life were alone made up of reason or of 

 exact knowledge, science would be all in all to us. 

 So far as it is made up of these things, science must 

 be our guide. But probably four fifths of life is 

 quite outside of the sphere of science ; four fifths of 

 life is sentiment. The great ages of the world have 



