-796 ; Scientific Fact and Scientific Inference, 
is everywhere recognized that our theological and me 
beliefs must agree with the accepted conclusions from science. 
But no sweeping statements can be made. Scientific ink 
have a very varying degree of probability, ranging from 
certainty to the wildest hypothesis. Proof of an inductive 
clusion is an impossibility, for it must not only be shown! 
the conclusion in question fits all the facts of the past, p 
_ and future, but also that it is the only conclusion that can 
sibly be framed to fit the facts. This is a manifest imposs! "E 
but the approximation to it may be very close. Most pers 
Would regard the circulation of the blood as a demon 
fact, and yet it has never been observed nor absolutely € 
strated. It is an inference from observed facts, but an in 
So strong that it is utterly impossible to doubt its being thet ga 
From practical certainty like this we may pass by easy stages E 
_ the wildest hypothesis. The law of gravitation; the theoy* 
: the long duration of the geological ages; the theory of 
tion; the theory of the spontaneous generation of life, 
_ the present time or in the past; the idea of a central sul? 
which all the stars in the universe are revolving,—all 
represent inferences from scientific facts, but inferences of 
l , would our scientists pretend that such a state x 
be made, for, however firmly they may believe in the & 
their conclusions, they are fully aware of the possibili 
inferences and mistaken theories. 
How is it, then, that scientific conclusions can hae 
Superior authority? The answer is, because they are, ™ 
5 = open to a more or less direct verification, and the 
with which they appeal to us is directly proportion 
» exactness of this verification. It is frequently pos 
pealing to facts of observation (which we have seen 
» OF to show it in most exact accord with all nature. : 
x piana our scientists are constantly dealing with p sak 
ee “> n their training by observation, and for a long tıme 
