39 
fested in man, the highest existence known to ns in the 
universe, this at least must be found in the ultimate cause of 
the universe. And if we ask still, why in One Who must, 
it seems, from the very teachings of Science, be incompre- 
hensible, we venture to speak of the human attribute of 
reason, — the voice of Religion answers (and we are now out- 
side the sphere of scientific thought, and must have Religion 
for our guide, if we would have any at all), “ God created man 
in His own image, in the image of God created He himA 
32. It is not, of course, possible for me now to follow 
out the argument which I have indicated as to the relations 
between Science and Religion, or it would not be difficult to 
prove that it would lead to results of great religious value, 
and illustrate some of the profoundest mysteries of Faith. 
But, though I have already trespassed too long on your 
patience, I must in conclusion call attention very briefly 
to one application of the argument — of overwhelming 
practical importance in the present day — which, I confess, 
most weighed with me in choosing for my address to-day this 
investigation of some very intimate relations between Science 
and Religion. It is impossible to doubt that just now the tide 
of unbelief is setting with almost unprecedented force against 
the very foundation of all Religion, the Being of God. In itself 
there is nothing in this either surprising or discouraging. 
Atheism is the logical conclusion of all forms of infidelity, and 
it is well that the infinitely momentous question should be 
brought to its real issue. Men, indeed, vastly deceive them- 
selves when they imagine that if they deny the existence of 
God they are at the bottom of the pit. There are already 
symptoms more than enough that there is a depth below this, 
and that those who are taunting rationalists and deists with 
not having carried their principles to their logical conclusions, 
will soon find out that of all systems the most illogical is one 
that demands morality, truth, and justice without God. 
But cannot Science give us some aid in our attempts, by 
God J s help, to stay the plague ? Of late years there has been, 
largely owing, I believe, to the efforts of this Society, a greatly 
improved understanding on both sides of the relations between 
Science and Religion. The present outbreak of Atheism 
assumes a flimsy disguise of Science; but, in reality, it has 
no scientific basis. It assumes that scientific conclusions can 
be proved, and are therefore to be believed ; that the existence 
of God cannot be proved, and therefore is not to be believed. 
Such fallacies deceive those who are willing to be deceived ; but 
they must disappear if once exposed to the light. But mean- 
while I know that the feelings of many of those who are 
