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REVIEWS OF NEW PUBLICATIONS 
wholly without justice, a vague speculation, surely the speculative mode of 
procedure and of investigation, always amply supported by, and based on, well- 
known truths, will not be discarded as dangerous, but must, on the contrary, 
by the enlightened and intelligent, be considered as orthodox a process of the 
mind as direct observation. Doubtless we are intended thus to act to the extent 
of our ability, and the true philosopher will never rest satisfied with discovering 
what every one may ascertain for himself, but, soaring immeasurably above 
the range of ordinary intellects, discovers the laws by which the universe is 
governed. 
Shall we be told that such men, self-conceited and arrogant, despise the 
Scriptures, lay aside Revelation, or become atheists? We may be answered in 
the affirmative, and unquestionably some of the most eminent scientific men have 
been called atheists. But we reject the imputation with scorn. A scientific 
man may be an atheist, but does it hence follow that his knowledge of science 
deprived him of his belief in the Deity ? Assuredly not; for although an indivi¬ 
dual so organized as to be incapable of conceiving the existence of an Almighty 
Governor of the Universe may advance to the first rank in science or literature, 
yet, to a mind more happily constituted, every additional fact learned or discovered 
only serves to substantiate his belief in the one only true God, and to raise his 
thoughts in wonder and admiration to the symmetry and presiding intelligence 
observable alike in the minutest and apparently most trifling object in Nature and 
the most sublime ornament of Creation. 
We do not mean to say that a belief in God and scientific knowledge by any 
means necessarily go hand in hand, since the latter may be prosecuted in a 
manner altogether independent of the former; but when they are investigated 
jointly, the one will be found to assist the other to a degree on the outset little 
calculated. 
We object, therefore, both to refusing credence to speculations because they are 
such, and to undervaluing all modern theories; and, with humble and profound 
reverence for the Scriptures, properly studied, cannot but deprecate the false phi¬ 
losophy of endeavouring to learn science from the Bible, and, above all, the absurd 
method of remaining satisfied with that source alone, while looking down upon 
those who advance further, or proceed in a different manner, as atheists and 
impostors—terms which, while they frequently and generally fail to injure those 
eminent individuals at whom they are aimed, rebound with tenfold force upon 
the ignorant multitude ever ready to detract from the justly-earned laurels of 
their superiors in intellectual, moral, and physical excellence. 
Of Mr. Gisborne’s pages we have little further to add; but we consider them 
deserving of perusal, though we would not recommend implicit reliance on any 
thing but reason, from whatever quarter emanating. 
