134 
to draw attention to the theme, happy if in its treatment I do 
not damage it in the estimation of those more competent to 
discuss it than myself. 
It is obvious that Theology comes into more or less contact 
with other and distinct branches of science ; and although she 
spurns not, neither does she court the homage of any. Thus, 
e.g., Metaphysical science not only recognizes, but, to a very 
considerable extent, identifies itself with Theology. For without 
retaining the divisions of the early schools, in the enumerations 
of Leibnitz, and under the title of Theodicy, she specifically 
enumerates Metaphysical Theology. Now, with an unfeigned 
admiration of Metaphysics, especially when loyal to the highest 
department of truth, I know not whether Theology has gained 
or suffered most by the alliance ; for if some Metaphysicians 
of more chastened spirit and higher aims have honoured both 
their science and themselves by legitimately applying it to and 
vindicating the claims of Theology, others, alas, by murky 
mystifications, have only obscured what was before plain to all 
but themselves, and have overlaid with philosophical difficulties 
that which we doubt not they had purposed to elucidate. But 
it is not with mental science alone that Theology comes into 
contact, either of agreement or conflict. Propounding a cos- 
mogony of its own, irrespective of general physics, and laying 
claim to an antecedent authority. Theology cannot but have a 
bearing upon the natural sciences, as astronomy, geology, 
mineralogy ; nor be without relation to the experimental and 
applied branches, chemistry, heat, electricity, magnetism. The 
antagonism with astronomy into which she was once forced is 
a matter of history, though happily now a thing of the past ; 
and the hostility presented by geology, perhaps never more rife 
than in this our day, is only too painfully paraded before our 
eyes. We do not deprecate this — Theology does not ; and the 
Theological student evinces an unworthy distrust of his science 
when he in any measure shrinks from such attacks. I believe 
that every investigation fairly conducted will ultimately advance 
the consolidation of every separate branch of human science 
into one grand and consistent total; and that the truth so 
arrived at will be in full harmony with divine truth, one 
essential verity. And, further, I believe that to this end 
Theology will have nothing to concede and little to modify ; 
merely to put aside interpretations which never were her own, 
and so eliminate every element of disagreement. 
In considering Theology as a science, it is needful before 
proceeding further to note the kind of science to which it 
belongs. The classification which recognizes the exact sciences, 
whether pure or mixed, as based upon necessary truth and 
