THE SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS OF 1863 171 



he returns to his point — the main thing is the 

 '* pursuit of truth." And since " the most earnest 

 ecclesiastical teachers" declared that '* God is 

 truth," he could not do better than close with a 

 reminder (I quote him verbatim) of "the com- 

 promise that may be effected between science and 

 the Church." Translated into plain language, 

 that means : My dear children, fight it out as you 

 will, but respect the Church always as the main 

 thing, and you will do well, however much you 

 differ. Thus closed this remarkable Scientific 

 Congress — as quietly as a bomb that smokes noise- 

 lessly, like a whiff from a tobacco pipe. But one 

 day it will burst. 



