Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-12-23

~ 0aUnG1neD q tho country. Hnsi ~
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LualoW.
A lecture was delivered by Gordon
Ivsr,ohn, in the Bsptist meeting house, in
Ladlow. Sunday evening, Dec. 19th, on
The subject. Tho Bible and Science" Of
which the following 10 an abstract:
No truth 10 disconnected with any
other, but truth is vast harmonious
whole through whatever medium it comes.
It il al Gods truth, and I'd the eye Of the
Eternal it is unit.
The 10Th century is distinguished for
great mental activity, for literary and
scientific inquiry, and above all, for ma
terial grandeur. Materiali-m never wore
such a shining crown az to-day. Rome,
in her palmiest days, never exhibited
such m ,terialism as now prevails from the
esstern border Of Russia to tho Pacific.
Railroads are spanning continents, tele-
Craps eclipsing time, science scaling the
walls Of heaven, and spectrum analysis
scrutinizing all matter. History is being
unraveled and brought to bear on religion
and philosophy, and all nations in all ages
are before us for inspection. Discussion
has attained wonderful intensity which
spares not the most sacred things. the
lives Of Jesus show. No two mean tx
actly the same in using terms not demon
strable. There are various conceptions Of
God. The barbarian, the reader If the
Zend Avesta, the disciple of Confucius,
the Esquimaux, have each different
Deity.
The Bible ia definablr in three ways
Firstly the light of history. During
1900 years it has been connected with the
European race only. Greek. Roman,
Gothic, Saxon, with all it's fortunes and
in all its clilaes. The common law i only
the ethics of the Bible. and our Declare
tion of Independence was only tram
script of tho teachings of Jesus.
The Bible alone has civilized the race,
winning the benighted Goth and the
fierce Norseman from their terrible -wor-
ship to the mildness of worshipers of
Christ. All that characterizes modern
civilization comes from the Bible. With
out it there would have been no European
or American civilization.
Second-The Bible is chart Of human
nature. We have charts of the ocean
Wherein are depicted its currents, such as
the Gulf stream. So the Bible maps out
the currents of human feeling in every
conceivable condition. Man is brought
face to face with God, and shown what he
is. The accounts of the glories of crea-
ton, the thunders Of Sinai, the mysteries
of prophecy. the advent and life Of Christ,
the works of the Apostles, not only ex-
hibit Gods purposes, but throw light
upon the profound mysteries of human
society. The manysidedness of Shaks-
peare, and his wonderful insight into hu.
man nature, were only reproductions Of
Holy Writ
| The Bible is properly approached spirit
ually Socrates said all things were resolv-
able into intelligence and matter. But
intelligence ia intellectual or spiritual
This book is not scientifc-not given to
teach Geology, but spiritual in its source
and nature, and addressed to the spiritual
nature of man. Hence intellect alone
cannot fathom it. Father Hyscinthe har
said that man is governed not by the in
tellect, but by the heart. Science too,
needs defining words change their mean
ing in course Of time. They had science
in Egypt of wonderful attainments. Blu,
their Astronomy was in error, and SO it re.
mains till the time of Copernicus. His
theories were thought sufficient. but in
process of time were superseded by those
of Newton, while in these days scientific
men are continually taking positions that
conflict with those of Newton and may
yet overthrow his system.
Science is therefore perfect, only till
men know more. Geometry is the only
science that has stood the test Of ages.
Medical science is notable instance OF
progress.
When we speak of science we speak Of
what ws bolieve true, but which is capa-
BILE of connection.
The only physical science in the Bible
is there for illustration, brought in not
for it's own sake, but for its bearing on
Gods teachings. Genesis and Geology
are said to conflict. But the Geologist's
know as little of the interior of the earth
from their own rule of exploration, af
one would of the structure of an elephant
by the scratch of pin. Till the Geolo-
gists can better agree among themselves
settle and the questions of Neptunian and
Plutonic, Of erasion and upheaval, they
are not prepared to question the truth OF
the Bible.
Fault has been found with the state.
ment of the creation of light before that
Of the sun but lately it has been found
that the sun is not the only source OF
light, that electricity, boat, &c., will pro.
duce it.
The story of the fall Is absurd Blu,
Hugh Miller says there is proof in science
that among animals as well rs man there
were maguates in the 'front.' and III
various parts of the world there are ruins
pointing to races superior to the present
inhabitants. II is unphiio.ophic to be-
lieve that God created the degraded tribes
OF Africa aud the islands of the sea At
they now are. We can only conclude
that they are lap-ed and fallen, aud that
the "fall of man" has more than once been
repeated.
The plan of redemption has been as
sailed. 1900 years ago being appeared,
who defined his mission without being
unde, stood, suffered aud died, after select.
ing and training band Of uneducated