SUNS POTS AND SOME OF THEIR PECULIARITIES. 



73 



doctrine from Ptolemy they proceeded to identify it in the Bible 

 also, and the Holy Congregation of the Index of 300 years ago 

 has faithful analogues even amongst Protestants at the present 

 day. 



If any of us believe that the Bible was meant to teach us the 

 physical sciences, and that the most literal interpretation of its 

 words is the most authoritative, then we must admit that there 

 is no scientific fact more plainly taught in it than that the earth 

 is immovable, and that the sun does move round it. But none 

 of us now interpret any passage of Scripture in this sense. If 

 the earth is spoken of as being immovable, it is understood that 

 the sacred writer is simply using the ordinary language of the 

 day without any reference to a scientific controversy at all. 



Surely then the Papal authorities of 300 years ago were 

 putting Holy Scripture to a wrong use when they tried to 

 support a theory of physical science not by observation and 

 experiment, but by claiming that the theory was taught in the 

 Bible. The Scriptures never claim such a purpose for them- 

 selves, but a different and a far higher one. " All Scripture is 

 given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for 

 reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the 

 man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good 

 works." 



If we wish to learn about natural objects, we must go for 

 instruction to the natural objects themselves. If we wish to 

 learn of spiritual things, of the things of God, it is to God 

 Himself that we must go for instruction. And He has revealed 

 Himself in His Son and in the Written Word. It is true, not 

 only of the Gospel of St. John, but of all the books of the Bible : 

 " These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the 

 Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life 

 through His Name."' 



The Meeting adjourned at 6.20 p.m. 



