New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-26
PROF. TYNDALL AND TIE BELFAST PRES
BTTERIAAS.

EXCEPTION TAKEN TO THE STRUCTURES OF TIE
LONDON CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
THE BELFAST CLERGYMEN DEFENDED.
the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: As q regular reader Of The TRIBUNE,
was very much panied by things In the letter OF
your Belfast correspondent which appeared IN today's
ssue-pained more especially because Of the wrong inn
preston which letter is calculated to leave on tho
public mind here. Its tone is decidedly adverse to Bel
fast and conveys the idea that the minis
ters Of that denomination In the metropolis OF Ulster
are ignorant and int0lerant bgot coarse In the ef
preston opposition 90 or inc scientific
visitors who with them lately meeting argument
by misrepresentation and scurrlity and the Inference
suggested that such unfair treatment scen
lists must always expect from religious teachers For
nearly three years was minister In Presbyterian
Church In Belfast all the in the pulpits there ara
my personal friends; still keep myself acquainted
with all religious and discussions there and
the information have, furnished by newspapers and
letters enables say distinctly that your corre-
spondent is utterly unjust both the spirit Of Belfast
Presbyteranism and to the Belfast ministers 10 their
treatment OF the British Association Far harder things
were said In such Journals The Saturday Rerew and
Spectator which cannot be accused or undue religious
bias about the taste OF Prof. Tyndall in
making the British Association the vehicle for
tho promulgation Of opinions that properly lilo out
side the sphere OF science. believe that metaphysics
and theology excluded from the programme OF sub
iects adopted by the Association. At any rate have
reason to know that 1t the opinion OF many MEM
bers Of the Association that the President In bis open
ing address, had abused both his position and his priv
ilege What took place there was simply this. As Prof.
Tyndall had spoken tho side. Dr. Watts, WELL
professor Belfast, offered to the Association
paper on the other side, paper containing some sug
gesons the reconciliation OF religion and science
IL rejected but afterward read 10 meeting at
which many Of the savans OF the Association
and dstin guished member OF the Association occu
pied the chair From the sketch Of the paper which was
sent TO me judge that IL conceived In calm aud
moderate spirit decided as IL should have beeD IN s
that the suggestions eyinced clear perception OF
the points issue. fertility OF and logical
power in meeting them and that IL was entirely free
from the gross personality and abuse which your cor
OF course Prof Tyndalrs address referred to in
some OF the Belfast pupts but the spirit in which Il
was done was way different from that in which tho
address referred to In many OF the New York
pupits one could say that preachers here were
scurrilous. Your correspondent, however. clips some
random sentences from one OF Dr "attss recent pulpit
utterances before large audience, aud holds hm up
and through him all the clergymen In Belfast To con
tempt. Surely 10 treat man who Is entirely an extern,
poraneous speaker In such Is unfair TO him and
misleading to your readers. What speaker would hks
to have two three cued out from his ad
and given to the public representing the gist
spirit Of his speechf Your correspondent shows ms
peculiar bias and his ignorance OF things In Belfast
when on the basis few sentences from exempore
sermon he makes the sweeping statement; what
have quoted win e1ya you notion OF the spirit not
merely OF this particular sermon but OF the whole Bel
fast Presbyterian pulpit" Such wide generalization
from premises enough to show the trust
worthiness espondents view OF the PresOy
terrain ministers OF Belfast.
OF there Will be differences OF opinion as 10 tho
wisdom Of the challenge which DR.. Watts sent TO Prof.
Huxley. but there cannot be two opinions about mo
courage OF the who instead OF covering his attack
as did, under anonymous signature IN news
paper the scientists boldly and openly not with
abuse, but with fair and well supported argumens.
DR.. Watts keen, logical debaer an eminent tneoo-
gian metaphy sican, with sufficient knowledge OF
the physical sciences TO handle fairly and sktuy tho
questions involved. l would remind your reaiers that
Prof Huxley used bterer language In his address 10 tho
Association than any that employed Dy the men on
the orthodox sde-sneering at his opponents as pig
mics" and, with a characteristic assumption OF inal-
Dity telling his audience that these men were unable
to deal with such high subjects. .
have nothing to do with what the newspapers said,
or the letters they published simply protest against
the idea which your correspondent conveys that Pres
byteransml naturally intoeran OF science, aud tba'
Presbyterians OF Belfast had only hard names TO op
pose TO the "dignined statements" OF Tyndall ana
Huxley A full account OF all the proceedings wOuld
show on which side the most cautious spirit was mani
tested, aud whether the minister the philosopher
was the better Christian and gentleman" am only
sorry such impressions Of the dealings OF religious
teachers with the scientists OF the British Association
should have been given 20 the public In Journal whose
In scientific and theological discussions Is geneap
30 fair and moderate. b. a. HAMILTON.
Gsr York, Sept 81, 1874