The New York herald., 1871-11-30
THE TENDENCIES OF The AGE AND THE
BIBLE.
Lecture by the Rev. Thomas Guard.

Lecture by the Rev. Thomas Guard.
Notwith standing the biting coldness OF thu
weather fair audience attended at the Centra
Methodist Episcopal church last evening to hear
lecture delivered by gentleman who has now
become quite famous in our city, the Rev. Thomas
Guard. The subject was, "The Tendencies Of the
Age and the BiDle,n and in treating 1t the
lecturer ably and eloquently pictured the Intimate
relationships which exist between science and the
Bible. The age man lives In Is 10 him the most
amply important period OF all time. In it ne has to
play part In the history OF his country, form his
mind on the great questions Of the day, and educate
h imself for the country beyond the age. II ever
there was an age in which an individual
can play Q prominent part IL ls the
tory has there been much activity III all the de-.
partments OF knowledge and research. A host of
scholars, with small amount oi reverence and
large amount Of learning, are devotlng all the ener
gles OF iner minds TO the solution OF the
great problems OF the age, Social religious
political aud scientific. There Is radical
Intellectual tendency abroad, which is damned
by no obstacle or hindered by no impediment in the
search after what II considers truth. Though some
OF these scientists deny the inspiration Of the Bible,
1t Is yet indirectly the great motive power by which
they are prompted IN all their designs and under
to the contrary, was never SO widespread US
at the present day. IL mas destroyed In
and obierated ali differences or color and race by
placing all mankind upon one platform OF equality.
In every department OF science and learning II is
equally powerful and 1t Is not TOO much TO say that
1t Is permeatng the whole mass OF society and
making It's influence felt to the remoest ends OF the
motive age. Men are rushing TO ana fro
with the rapldity OF lightning. Distance
beng aDnihilaled by the discoveries Of genius and
we are sometimes lost in wonder ut the genius Of
our race. To-day we read OF the adventurous trav-
eller pursuing his rambes IN the inmost recesses OF
pulling his skin along the course OF Egypt's
famed Nle; another VIII be heard OF by the
runs Of Carthage or on the historic sol, sou Of Of
knowledge which Is one OF the most remarkable
tendencies OF the time. The worn out millionaire,
the aged statesman and the bidse man OF fashion,
alike feel the pref aillng contagion, ana In their
old age start upon long and wearisome Jour-
Dy which the hackneyed pleasures they
have been accustomed TO can be for
Investigation. In former times history was studied
az wearlsome task, with no pleasure to the
student; now change has come over the spirit OF
the dream and history mas become as attractive as
romance. IL Is no longer dry record OF events,
dates and battles, but living picture OF the man
people OF the bygone ages. Hence we can
boast of Bancroft, Prescott an Irving
mortal reverence by all true lovers OF genus II Is
an age oi scientific inquiry. The man Of science
today taxes @ noid tle sunbeam anu tells the pro-
perlles oi me sun itsell; measures the planets ana
likes their distances rom each other; climbs TO the
moon and paints the mountain peaks which, before
science came upon the scene, formed the foundation
OF many q wild legend and story by the
ignorant In another case the geologist takes MS
down into the bowels OF the earth and explains the
mysteries OF creation In O manner nelligibe to the
most illlterate. In word, there never has been
such amount OF MIND let loose as at the present,
and II we were asked what caus Ell TINS immense In.
tellectual activity we would say II Is the
Biole. The Lofty Imagery and pretensions
Of the sacred volume by their very gran.
deur. have raised up host OF Opposing
genuises who have valnly launched the splendid
stores OF their learning IN Iruitless assault
upon It's teachings and Inspiration. The Bible
does not pretend to answer such questions as
the age oi lie world, the stages II has passed
through and the other problems OF SCIENCE if it
did there would be no scope for mans genius no
sphere for the splendid talents with which he
mas been endowed by the Creator; but In solving the
proU.c OF mans redemption, telling him now he
should i've and how he snould DIE what course 10
adopt IN time and what preparation TO make for
eternity 1t is admirably sded TO Iulhl ali ne great
wants OIL our beings anu supply the lofty aspirations
OF our nature. A. such we believe IL VIII continue
to exist, ana, surviving all the attacks of its
enemies, VIII flourish IN immortal bloom the friend
OF science aud tue aly az litera ure