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ON BOTANICAL SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE. 
sion, I would remark that botany is a science calculated to give pleasure to every mind. 
It can be prosecuted at all times, whether in the closet or in the field; on the highway 
or on the hill-side; on the cultivated plain or in the wild mountain glen. Every flower 
on which we tread becomes a useful object of contemplation, and a means of pleasing 
recreation. 
The associations connected with the practical prosecution of botany are peculiarly in¬ 
teresting. Those who have joined in botanical excursions know the feelings of delight 
with which the floral treasures of the plain and of the mountain are gathered. They 
will appreciate the friendships which are formed during such trips; and they will be 
ready to acknowledge their important bearing on the development alike of the physical 
and mental powers. In the prosecution of science, however, we ought ever to remember 
that, unless our studies are conducted with higher views than the mere acquisition of 
secular knowledge, they will not promote their proper object. There is a knowledge 
which puffs up, which spoils, through philosophy and vain deceit, and which does not 
_ edify. 
In the present day there is much of Pantheistic and Rationalistic error among the fol¬ 
lowers of science, and the student must be warned of the quicksands on which he is apt 
to make shipwreck of faith and of a good conscience. Sometimes we find that persons 
who spend their lives in the study of nature, flatter themselves that a love for the works 
of God is an evidence of genuine religion. This is a great delusion. “ A sincere and 
ardent love of Science may induce a man to devote his whole time, talents, and wealth to 
the acquisition of facts, and the confirmation of brilliant theories. This may be all done 
by one regardless of the mind of God, as revealed in his Word; and, while enriching 
his intellect, and widening the domain of scientific learning, the man may, in heart and 
life, be a very enemy to the moral government of that Being whose works he is so fond 
of exploring.” 
It is pleasing to think that there are many men of science who are pointing out the 
true method of God, and who are showing that secular and religious knowledge go hand 
in hand. The attempts to produce opposition between the works and the Word of God 
have utterly failed. True science is always in harmony with religion. We say this 
most advisedly. We have never, and we can never arrive at a point where the discoveries 
of science and the truth of Scripture are at variance. The more we advance in know¬ 
ledge, the more do we find of harmony between them. There is often apparent discrepancy 
arising, not from an increase in our knowledge of true science, but from a deficiency of in¬ 
formation, and a perverted view of the phenomena of creation ; from men becoming vain 
in their imaginations, and having their foolish hearts darkened, thinking themselves wise, 
and becoming fools. 
Recent scientific statements by men of authority have led to a more earnest study of 
the Word of God, not merely by divines, but by Christian men of science ; and we are 
daily seeing the clear light of truth dissipating those mists and doubts with which it had 
been obscured. 
It is often said that in science we may discard the Bible, for it is not meant to teach 
science; and that, even although, when viewed in the light of modern discovery, there 
may be some lesser errors in it, still this does not take from its authority, as containing a 
revelation from Heaven. This is most fallacious reasoning. It is true that the Bible is 
not meant to teach science; but we maintain that it is equally true that it is in no case 
inconsistent with science. There is no scientific error in it. In this respect it is the 
Book of books. It is the inspired Word of God, truly theopneustic throughout. 
Unless we have verbal inspiration, we have nothing. The Book not merely contains a 
revelation from God, but it is, in its words and minutest details, given by Him. Holy 
men of old wrote as inspired by his Spirit. That the Bible should stand thus pre-emi¬ 
nent throughout all ages, and that it should ever be on a level with science, however 
advanced, is sufficient to convince the most sceptical of its Divine origin. I cannot 
better express this than in the words of an anonymous writer, -who says:—“A book so 
written as to touch upon every subject of human research, and, without anticipating 
discoveries which man can make for himself, not to contradict them when made, is a 
miracle of wisdom and knowledge of the highest order. It implies not only an acquain¬ 
tance with the facts of science, but with the manner in which the human mind would 
deal with them. The author of the words on which everything depends in the case must 
possess, at once, perfect knowledge of the past of creation, and of the future development 
