JOACHIM ELMENDOBF. 11 



dently by himself and many of the most eminent geolo- 

 gists that have lived. And then after citing discoveries 

 of authoritative microscopists in different countries, 

 which bear against their theory, and the impression these 

 have made he declares, "it may be, that all that we can 

 do, will be required to rescue from total ruin the results 

 of our labors.'' 



Such are the experiences, in connection with the nat- 

 ural modesty of really gifted natures, which make true 

 scientists so cautious and unassuming in their assertions 

 of and claims for scientific knowledge. In its very na- 

 ture all finite knowledge that is not axiomatic is progress- 

 ive. ' ' Knowledge grows, ' ' remarks Prof. Youmans, 

 and throughout his writings we find such statements as 

 these : " Perhaps the most correct conception of science 

 that has yet been formed is that, which regards it as the 

 highest stage of growing knowledge." In another place : 

 "It matters nothing whether the subjects are stones or 

 stars, human souls or the complication of social relation ; 

 that most perfect knowledge of each, which reveals its 

 uniformities constitutes its special science. Science, 

 therefore, he adds, is the revelation to reason of the 

 policy by which God administers the affairs of the 

 world." 



Prof. Dawson years ago said: "In the wider sense 

 of the term science, it really includes all that intellectual 

 education can effect." 



Dr. Peabody declares: "Science is literally appli- 

 cable to all knowledge, and its use might be extended to 

 daily events and ordinary affairs without any departure 

 from the peculiar or technical sense in which it is com- 

 monly employed." 



So we see that, from the atom of the universe up to its 

 Infinite Creator and Governor, whether it be earth or ele- 

 ment, creature, material or sentient, body, mind, spirit, 

 anything, concerning which a rational theory can be pro- 



