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crucifixion ; and we must try to discover what is involved in 
the Apostles* preaching of the cross, and in such words as 
propitiation and ransom, reconciliation and eternal redemption. 
Then we shall scarcely be satisfied with the opinions of Anselm, 
or Abelard, or Bernard of Clairvaux, but we shall endeavour 
to include the whole of the Scriptural statements in our great 
conception of the Saviour* s sacrifice. 
I have thus endeavoured to illustrate some of the points of 
analogy between the methods of interpreting Nature and 
Revelation ; and it is on this account that the present lecture 
has been written, for I want to plead for the larger introduction 
of the study of Natural Science into our schools of Theology. 
The power and usefulness of the Christian ministry in the 
future will depend little on their ability to make verses in dead 
languages, or on their knowledge of the differential calculus, 
but it will depend greatly on their being abreast of their fellow- 
thinkers in their appreciation of those processes by which truth 
is arrived at. Every parish priest, and every teacher of re- 
ligion, must be more or less an expounder of the word of God, 
audit is surely desirable that he should enjoy, as far as possible, 
the advantage which may be derived from a knowledge of 
those methods of investigation which have proved so fruitful 
in a kindred region of thought, — a region where calmness is 
more easy, for human passions and human interests are less 
involved in the issue, — a region, too, where the conclusions are 
more readily brought to the test of direct experiment than 
they generally can be in the domain of Theology. I do not 
forget the greater importance of those studies which bear 
directly on the duties of the sacred office, but I plead for the 
study of Natural Philosophy because I believe in its peculiar 
adaptation as a trainer of the mind in the pursuit of truth. 
There will be also minor advantages. A better acquaintance 
with physical science will remove distrust, and enable the 
sacred teacher to feel as wrnll as to repeat, “ The word of the 
Lord is right, and all His works are done in truth.** And then 
again it will furnish the preacher with an abundant store of 
illustrations, such as adorn Moses*s Song of the Rock,* or 
Paul*s argument about the resurrection of the body.f 
I feel that my train of reasoning has led me to speak of the 
services rendered by natural science to theology rather than 
those rendered by theology to natural science. The advantage 
of their mutual intercourse would seem to be on the side of 
theology. Perhaps it is so, and perhaps it is right that it should 
be so. Theology is the queen of sciences : it is befitting that 
* Dent, xxxii. 1 — 43. 
t 1 Cor. xv. 35-44. 
