Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1871-07-19
Miscellany
From Appleton's Journal
Scripture and Science.

Ever since the advent of geology and
the advance made in physical science,
there has been an attempt, if not desire,
on the part of the respective friends Of
the Bible and science, to array one against
the other, hence to involve both in con-
tradictions. Thus seekers after truth have
been really confused, and found themselves
at fault, not knowing what tothink. Now,
as believer in the truths of Scripture
aud natural science, we are prepared to
affirm that both are in harmony, aud that
seeming or supposed variances have arisen
from misapprehension entirely and this
We purpose TO demonstrate.
According to Bishop Clark, the Bible
is made up of two parts-the historic, or
setting, and the revelation, which is dis
tinci, therein contained Now, physical
science has nothing to do with that revela-
tion, which pertains exclusively to man
in his immortal nature, relates Gods will
and purposes toward man here and here
after, and cannot be brought into antagon-
ism Herewith Revelation is the arena
for theological science and controversies
about the faith, not discussion about phys
les. Natural science has relation only
with the historic account of creation, and
with that it coexists, and we think con-
ours. For instance, the Bible and scieuce
combined give fullness of knowledge, in
a physical relation, regarding the heavens
and the earth, which neither does alone.
Their respective positions should not be
lost sight of, and their aims should not be
confounded. Though their teachings may
be different, they are harmonious. What,
for example, does unaided science tell us
of creation in all its grandeur as whole,
as an evolution of Gods thought? What
does Biblical history discover concerning
the development and particular action of
matter But the Bible and science togcth-
er inform us in regard to both. The for
mer instructs us, not only that God Great
ed the earth, but describes the cons, or
formative ages, through which it passed,
until with the seventh evening began the
seventh day, con. or age. the one in which
God crested" and in which we now live.
The latter teaches us by argument and
demonstration the nature of matter, the
laws originally impressed upon it by God,
and as far as possible explains the action
Of those laws. Grant that the whole Of
our system was contained at first in one
vast ne5ula. Scripture informs us that God
created it in the beginning, and declares
briefly and generally the mode of its de-
velopment until the earth was fit for the
habitation of man, and science unfolds the
laws of that development. The Bible is
anterior to science. True science existed
in embryo before Moses wrote, and indeed
was taught ages before he was born; but
the early chapters of Genesis, whether
written by Moses, or partly written and
partly complied, as some modern Hebraists
infer, being declaration of Gods prime
val action, must be far older than science,
which is the product of mans intellect,
can be. Hence, science should not be
deemed, as some say, IA subordinate revel'
alton for, as we have shown. it has moth.
ing to do with the revelation contained 10
Scripture, and is clearly a human work
As well might you place the labors Of the
most pious aud learned commentator on o
level with the text he endeavors to elucl'
date. as confound geology and Holy Writ
in regard to the great facts Of the creation
of the earth. Of the birth Of the worlt
the Bible is the text, science the illustra
tor. The grand truths Of the former are
illumined in their mipdte details by th'
exact teachings of the latter. Thus th'