Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-25
AMERICAN ORGAN.
Smithsonian Lectures.
REPORTED ron THE AMERICAN ORGAN.
SCIENCE AND ITS MISSION.
by DIR. L. II. STEINER.

by DIR. L. ii. STEINER. YAH
He commenced by speaking of the value of truth,
the search made for it by true students, and the
success they meet with, contrasted with the light
found by the superficial observer.
The term science has been sadly misapplied Of
late; the pugilistic requirements Of Hyer and
Sullivan, and even experiences in boot-blacking, to
the higher and more useful arts, have been dgni-
fled with that name--the same name which signi-
iies the researches of a Humboldt II is true that
the useful arts are based on the principles which
they derive from science, but it is derogatory to
theatter to call them sciences, since their highest
aim is the practicazation Of the truths furnished
them ready prepared for use. Science acts here
the vivfying agent, the idea which requires the
aid of mechanical appliances to adapt it to our utl
itarian wants but, though those appliances are
wanting for a thousand years, yet this idea is no
less beautiful and attractive, though existing all
this time in abstraction--proudly real, though
ideal, because an emanation from truth itself
Eventually the ideabecomes actualized by means Of
talent isappied TO practical purpose, and becomes
the basis Of useful art. Thus it is seen that sci
ence is rather the mother than the elder sister of
the useful arts.
The discovery Of the pressure of mir on the
earth's surface was not fully appreciated in the
days of Galileo but in process Of time it was APP
piled in the barometer, which has SO fully shown
its utility. No one suspected, when it was first
announced, that the rays of the sun had peculiar
chemical power by which they could produce mys-
FERROUS changes in substances exposed to them;
that these changes would eventuate in the discov-
cry Of mode OF taking the image of objects which
should be permanent and fixed.
These discoveries prove the axiom that " the
discovery of no scientific principle is to be consid-
cred ofminor Importance, although ages may in
teryene before its utility may be shown to the
world"
Science is that form of knowledge which seeks
olt the elementary principle of things--coects the
leading truths underlying all other knowledge, and
is the basis OF all the useful arts. #a
We are all anxious to pursue those studies which
enable us to achieve some result that can at once
be applied to the uses Of life. The age is decided
ly utGtaran, and favors everything tending that
way. Now science has that tendency, as will be
seen in all application Of scientific discoveries to
mechanical and other uses.
Science is also attractive account Of her adapt
iveness to the inquisitive nature Of the mind On
man is placed the command to earn his bread by
the sweat Of his brow which is, indeed, divine
blessing. Labor is the highest blessing to man.
and Incidence his greatest curse This labor relates
to the wants of the SOUL the body, and the mind
and science points out the way in which this labor
can be performed to the most advantage. No COM
plant can be made of want of variety in science.
Every day we allowed to lift the veil somewhat
higher, only to find how little we really do know,
and to increase our thirst for knowledge
Science opens the way for the cultivation of po-
etry and philosophy. 1t furnishes the latter those
facts from which the inductiye method selects the
prevailing spirit and, throwing it into finished
and perfected form, thus rounds off our knowlegde
with the symmetry of truth. Indeed, the two are
hand-maidens the train of truth twin-stars, with
such combined brilliancy that it is almost impos-
sible to say where the light Of one begins or the
other ends; but each, gradually and imperceptibly
blending with the other, contributes to the forma-
ton Of pure, dazzling light increasing with bril-
lancy to the end of time.
The poetry of science is readily seen in many
cases. Hunt has well said on this subject: "The
sylph moistening the lily is a sweet dream but the
thoughts which rise when first we learn that its
broad green leaves and its pure and delicate favor
are the results Of alchemy which change gross
particles of matter into symmetrical forms, are
after incredulty has passed away, of an exalt-
cd character" And 50 poets Of the present day
are found rejecting the old personifcatons, and
using those which science gives them, more adapt
e1 TO the poetic SOUL because more beautiful and
tue. AL nature the hills, the valleys, the rivers,
the torrents, the forests, the vales praise their
Maker. These are the poetic realities of nature;
but are no such relations TO be found in the ma
cAnery constructed by sciences Has not the
steam engine, with its begrimed smoke stack, its
roaring furnace its regular monotonous puff Of es-
Gaping steam and its continued rise and fall of pis-
ton rods-has II not spirit which evokes poetical
expression from the lover of beauty Here is
might with gonteness; here is the best type Of
age; here is a better representation Of strength
and energy than in the old conception Of the Titans
The mission of science is TO aid man in solving
the physical problem which is connected with his
relations to the world around him, and to be sub
servient to religion means Of snbstantiating
and confirming the great truths which are cmbod.
led in the revealed world.
Bacon says that philosophy specifically cul-
tyated leads from God but when taken In heavy
draught, lead to Him." The present period In the
history Of science abounds with instances which
confirm this idea and the history Of each particu-
lar science shows that there Is great truth in it.
Those branches Of science which have come in con-
tact with religious truths have, universally upon
further elucidation, not only been found 20 agree
with, but 10 confirm them; 30 that we safely
ascribe the seeming attacks of a newly-discovered
science TO oar ignorance of the science itself Fur
ther knowledge Of IL viii show where the error lies
and the perfect accordance Of science and religion.
IL may be- also that In the progress Of the cul-
tivation Of science, this same apparent anti-re-
ligous position is assumed, which may be seized
by the artful and sophistic, and an insinuating
argument be built up, which, while IL does not
openly attack the truths of religion, yet makes
way for latitudinaran views that result In the bold
est infdelity. Science, jealous of her own integ-
rity and purity OF purpose, viii never allow her
self to rest under imputston Of being forgeful Of
reverence to religion. She raises up one Of her
own sons, whom she supplies with proper weapons
to exterminate the traitors in her camp. He may
come from tho higher walks Of life-but most
likely from the humble station-from the quarry
as Hugh Miller, chosen knight TO do battle for
science in her glorious mission on earth BY
such means she strips infdeity Of the robes Il has
stolen from her own abode, and leaves II exposed
in its true and naked deforInty TO all the world.
"The feeble ses-bird, blinded in the storms,
On some tall lighthouse dash their little forms,
And the rude granite scatters for their pains,
Those small deposites that were meant for brains,
Yet the proud fabric, in the mornings sun
Stands all-unconscious Of the mischief done
Still the red beacon pours its evening rays
For the last pilot with as full a blaze,
Nay, shines all radiance DER the scattered feet