The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-09-25
7--7-7--- -
SCIENCE AND REVELATION.

A vague report is in circulation, which. at.
tributes to the distinguished naturalist, Pro-
fessor Asassiz, the expression of an opinion
opposed to the generally received doctrine of
the union of the human family. He is said
to have affirmed his belief that the different
races of mankind had, originally, different
parentage, and that this opinion did not con-
fict with the testimony Of the Scriptures
On what grounds either part OF this opinion
was based, we have seen no account. The
deliberate Judgment of naturalist so emf.
nent and so candid as Professor Agassiz is
understood 10 be, is entitled TO much respect,
though ii directly opposes authorities which
are, TO say the least, quite as respectable
and the general tendency of scientific re-
searches of late years. 1t may lead to
new investigation of the whole subject, aud
aid in the discovery of what is the real
tra,h. That truth when discovered may, or
may not, conflict with our usual interpre:a-
tion of the Scriptures; but of all persons in
the world.no one should more earnestly de.
sire, or be less afraid of, the discovery of
truth, whether in science or religion, than
the believer. In his firm faith that revela-
tion and nature are the products of the same
Power and that by no scrutiny of science,
or reach OF discovery, can any real discrep-
ancy between the teachings of the one and
tho truths of the other, ever be detected, the
Christian can afford to abide the result if
anybody can. He has less 10 fear, and more
TO hope for than any other one whatever
dismay the unfoldings of the vast book of
knowledge may bring to the infdel, he is
sure 10 find in each successive page the ira
ces Of the same finger that unerringly wrote
for his consolation the sure words of Scrip
ture.
II very bad policy, as we'll as bad reli-
gon, TO indulge any fear of the bearings Of
science Upon the truth of revelation. The
infdel has had his triumph repeatedly, but
the world knows how shor, it has been. Ev-
cry step of progress into the arcana of ma
ture has been triumph for Christianity, and
there is not the shadow of reason to fear
| any other result for the future. Christianity
is true, whatever else is true and we ought
never to allow an issue to be formed which
should involve the question of its nath.
Science may disclose her new truths, but
they will not make untrue anything that was
true before. The discovery of new truth
does not destroy an old truth. What is true
will forever remain true, whatever else may
be found true. And if there seems to arise
conflict between the old truth and tho new,
it will be found TO be only in appearance, if
they both be really true. 1t is quite posi-
BILE we do not rightly interpret the Bible in
all respects and il is proper to accept an
issne with the man Of science on the ground
of Interpretation, and safe TO abide the re-
suit Geology has made us read anew the
book of Genesis, with much better and
grander exegesis; and 1t is quite possible
the progress of discovery and research may
| make other notifications Of our interpreta-
tions. Perhaps the discoveries in the natu.
raj history of our race may compel us 10
more critical study of the sacred text, to
evolve sense mere in accordance with sci
entiGc truth. But geology has made no an.
nouncements which conflict with revelation,
but, on the contrary, has most strikingly con-
frmed its truth. And so would natural his.
tory in the end, whatever its discoveries
may prove to be confirm all that the Scrip
lures really say respecting our race. We
tender no such issue to the infide, as that if
your philosophy or your science be proved
true, our Bible falls. The Bible canno, pos
sibIy come in conflict with SCIENCE, Our in
terpretation of the Bible may-for we have
often 10 correct that But the Bible as ii real
ly is, never-Nep York Euangehst. >.