The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-10-06

and 10 detect he laws OF physical action!
ST. A-No, Cuvier, no; ard il is posi-
be il may be done modestly, and by those
who do not see nature the less wildly and
naturally as a whole, on account OF the
few notices they have taken Of the fixed
order Of events. These are performing
service, the importance of which has yet to
be appreciated. That it may De so,' the
spirit Of The pas must re-descCnd on the
spirit Of the present, and the in(ant must
mix with man.
C.-l understand you to say, tina. the
infantile simplicity Of primitive times must
be combined with the stern philosophy of
the present age.
ST. A.-Even so.-
C.-But what points OF probable harmo-
ny do you perceive!
ST. Al perceive many. And neither
do despair that an anicable intercourse
may be established between them, since
what should hinder that ages as well as
countries should engage in an exchange Of
their advantages, that the superflulies oil
the one may supply the deficiencies OF the
other. will not be so welded to preIu-
dice as to say that the filth has no need OF
the nineteenth century; | do moi claim for
my age a superiority Of knowledge, but
greater elevation Of mind-no, not that,
but should say more rational end, for
it was to find God in every thing, and to
delineate his attributes; and this, am sure,
is a worthier pursuit, than to court nature
ambitously, and 10 settle her Lawsuit at
The same time must confess that our igno.
rance OF natur. often beguiled us into su-
perstirion, and our partial acquaintance
with her laws limited our resources OF IL
lustIaton. ........
CT am rejoiced to hear, ST. Augustine,
that you are ready then TO concede to US
this merit, that we have at least checked
the progress OF superstition, and provided
fund of agreeable Information.
ST. A.--And it is here indeed where
you reap Just distinction-and il will be
no mean praise, think, that you have
opened these rich resources of discovery.
You have furnished theology with a new
language, and that the most expressive kind,
because congenal: for the expression OF
natural facts and their laws affords the
most appropriate symbols, and, if | may
so say, cORnate--(or the exposition Of the
illogical truth. And this Truly is most valua-
bic acquisition, especially now, that the
language of theology has become technical
and obsolete, and lost It's power over the
human understanding.
C.-Then We philosophers Of modern
times, according TO this account, have been
employing ourselves, all this while, in con-
structing a new language for the use OF
you, theologians, and OF settling its gram,
mar and syntax?
ST. A.-AssIredly, Culver, for in this
light precisely do now view your valua-
bic labors; and surely you cannot consider
the services which you have been thus rem
dering to the bes; interests of mankind, as
Insignificant or deserving of regret?
C.-By no means--and | can only ex-
press my sense of qualification, in having al
last dawn from you a confession, that nei
ther has the nineteenth century been want.
ling in useful contributions to the general
benefit Of the human race.
ST. A.-No, Culver, ! never could hold
from Your times that honor-I would only
gladly lessen or curb that -weenine
Iconceit which seems to have seized the men
of your generation, thai no real wisdom
was ever sought after, far less obtained,
until the dawn Of your modern epoch: here
lies your error, here your danger; for the
objects we had in view, and especially the
Christians, who lived in the centuries be-
fore us--however imperfectly reached---were
still Of the noblest and best kind---no OH
er than to obtain direct and certain knowl.
edge Of that Being, whose spirit directs ma
ture, and has impressed upon her the most
benevolent and uneTing laws.
C.-But you failed in the attempt.
ST. Ave did often, but mostly in the
expression Of our views, for our sentiments
were more Just than our language.
C.-And you expect now to be more
successful-with the benefit OF this netc
langudge9
ST. A.-Yes, for the works OF God be-
ing connate with his Word, when the laws
OF the former are perfectly sscertained, they
will be a Just expression of the truths OF
the latter.
C.-Then, o glorious philosophy of the
nineteenth century, if such indeed, are the
distinctions which wait it,
ST. Alt will be invested with light
not its own, the plupUreup lumsn Jtren-
lie.
Cit will be beautiful as the earth
itself, under the first beams of the morning.
ST. A.-And the sight you must allow,
is glorious one, when mountains, lawns,
and streams first burst upon the view, un.
der the light Of the rising sun.
C.-And such, you conceive, will be
the result, when the light OF the theology
Of the earlier ages is poured upon the vari-
ed and extended science OF modern times?
ST. A.-SuCh are my anticipations.
C.-May they be fulfilled, but the signs
OF the times -
ST. A.---0n the whole, consider them
auspicious-a gentle spirit Of pea,e-an
unwearying appliance Of investigation
the wars Of theology sinking fast into OBJ
livion and contempt, unless among the ST.
liest OF mankind, who are fain sill to fight
their battles over again-but the wisest and
the true-hearted have engaged in better
contest-to subdue The frosardness of their
own spirits-to find the pledge and earnest
truth, intertwined with The olive of peace.
rather than the laurels Of victory.
CT accept the omen-but what of
philosophy?
ST. A.--Philosophy will advance.