10G 
and earnest attention, and he would be the last man to complain when his 
own logic and inferences are tested by them. 
It seems to me also that argument and criticism should be more largely 
used than they have been by Christian theologians and philosophers in their 
well-meant and much-needed efforts to arrest the progress of the Atheistic 
ways of thinking, which at the present day are at once so plausible and so 
superficial, so arrogant and yet so unscientific. I am confident that in my own 
country, the most effectual method to oppose these tendencies is to subject 
them to a candid, yet thorough scrutiny, to concede every position and some- 
what more than a truly scientific thinker would venture to maintain to assert, 
and to expose every failure of experiment or logic with a fearless spirit. 
Simple protestations or denunciations, however earnest and fervent, will avail 
little against those solid squares of self-complacent agnosticism and denial, 
into which so many teachers of science have succeeded in gathering their 
disciples. But sharp and penetrating arguments are powerful agents when 
uttered in a candid and truth-loving spirit. 
I think we have some advantage in this country, in that to a considerable 
extent thus far our higher institutions of education and research have recog- 
nised the scientific study of nature as a means of culture equally important 
with the study of the humanities, and have aimed to train their pupils in 
both directions after the methods which are appropriate to each. Theolo- 
gians and scientists are for this reason forced to consort with one another on 
an equal footing, and often in familiar relationships, except so far as new 
theories and methods of education have separated them by the establishment 
of special schools and colleges that are limited to mathematical and physical 
culture. Notwithstanding these advantages, we are beginning to experience 
serious evils from strong tendencies to intellectual separation and alienation 
on the part of both theologians and scientists. So long as both parties are 
forced to plead the cause of truth, whether it be theological or scientific, at a 
common tribunal, so long shall we be able to teach and to learn from one 
another. 
I take great pleasure in saying that Professor Tyndall is a personal friend 
whom I have had the pleasure of meeting as the guest of our college, and 
that he has acknowledged in a most cordial manner the courtesy as well as 
the severity of my criticisms. While as a scientist, in some of his moods, he 
moves me to wonder, as a poet and a man he seems to me not infrequently 
to utter the sentiments of one who ought not to be far from the kingdom 
of God. The pupil who could so beautifully describe, and so fervently respond 
to the child-like prayer of his great master Faraday has the stuff in him 
into which may yet bo kindled a rational and fervent faith upon the altar 
and within the sanctuary of true science. 
