496 



called Theology ; and to that smaller mass of belief and action 

 which is called Religion? 



Some express the relation very briefly, by saying that Science 

 and Religion are opposed to each other. Others again that they 

 have nothing in common. These expressions are true of certain 

 classes of minds ; but the greater number of thinking and edu- 

 cated persons see, that though the ultimate truths taught by each 

 are of quite distinct nature, and can by no moans come in conflict, 

 inasmuch as they have no point in common ; yet so far as these 

 truths are embodied in human language, and manipulated by 

 human interests, they have a common dominion over the soul of 

 man. According to the method of their government, they may 

 then come into collision even as the temporal and spiritual sover- 

 eigns of Japan occasionally did, before the recent changes in that 

 country. 



In answering the query above proposed, it will be necessary to 

 separate the essential truths of religion from the accessories of 

 tradition, usage, and most of all, organizations and interpreta- 

 tions, which have in the lapse of time gathered around the primi- 



With the latter, the scientific man must deal exactly like other 

 men, he must take it, or reject it, according to his spiritual gifts; 



assail it as a man of science, for within his domain of investiga- 

 tion it does not belong. 



With regard to the accessories of traditions, interpretations, 

 etc., our answer may be clearer, when we have briefly reviewed 

 some recent events in what has been written about as the Conflict 

 of Religion and Science. Some centuries ago, great theological 

 disgust was produced by the announcement that the sun and not 

 the earth was the centre of the planetary system. A few decades 

 ago profound dissatisfaction was shown that the evidence of or- 

 li.-.nii- Y.u- on the planet was very am i -nt. R.venth some annoy- 



be suggested. 



