New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

L
PRAISES OF SCIENCE. BY DANIEL S. MARris A. NJ s'@
pp Is NewYork
In this vigorous essay, which is reprinted
som the Proceedings OF the University Convocation
held in Albany about ago. the author utters an
argent protest against the prevailing tendencies TO
antaconism between science and religion. His position
M professor OF natural science IN prominent seat OF
learning this city, and his earnest faith as Christian
give a certain weight TO his suggestions. and affords
rational presumption of their mpartay Still be is not
wholly from the influence Of theological prejudice as
Is shown by his ascrbng the supposed skepca tenden
ces Of scientific thinkers in part at least to perverted
moral disposition and an alienation from all true ex
celence" though retaining large degree OF domestic
social and public virtue" How far the possession OF
the latter qualities with the absence OF all
"true excellence" is question that would seem 10
demand different decision the ordinary p lnciples
Of ethics But not TO discuss this point with the author
we find him taking broader ground on the relations OF
the religious world TO the pending controversy One
FREQUENT error which forcbly exposes is the under
estimation Of pure science by many earnest men, on
account of the eeng character Of all earthly OBJECTS
Compared with OF eternity they regard the
of knowledge Elusive and VAIN feeling
this is the impression that there is certain
audacty in the attempt TO penetrate the Sc
erets OF the Universe. But this is an idea which fingers
IN many minds from the influence OF heathenlsm
IL relic OF the pagan superstons that have had
their day. and should be banished TO the DOMAIN OF
omens, witchcraft, and necromancy There IS also
large of ignorance each sde as to the pur
suits and principles of the other. Many scientific
cOoy extend their reasoniDgs into sphere III
which their mode of argument has no validity Inc
rules OF logic are often aside in order to introduce
the method OF induction into some untrled heId IN
which experimental tests impossible On the otner
hand Professor Martin declares his surprise at the g
noranee of familiar facts in recent science which may
be found in many reviews of sci entlhc works attempted
in the so-called religious journals at would be III
dcrous IL IL were not melancholy" he re-
marks, 10 witness the treatment received IN
such quarters by many Of the grandest achleVe-
ments of our day. We no longer hear any question
raised as TO anpOdes the motions OF the earth that
Is thoroughly past But there are still 20 be found men
of high intelligence culture who hesitate about the
elearest principles of geology mock at the glacial era
and set themselves face of the whole grand series
Of conceptions which begin TO enute the modern stu
dent TO the high OF intcrTTeS nature, while no
less ministerng to intelligent and earnest Christian
faith Two such volumes have been given TO the Amerl
can public within the past year and they have attracted
much attention. One OF these IN particular, has been
lauded 20 the skies least leading religious Jour-
nal; work with sounding Latin title Pater Mundi'
by the Rev. DR.. Burr and cooy dedicated to the su-
preme Creator, but occupied largely with an on
slaught upon the graDdcst scientific generalization
rs to the Creators method which the human
verse Either knowing not caring TO know that
This conception Of philosopher Kant. as well as the
astronomer Iaplace, has long since passed into the
recognized mental furniture of almost every student OF
physical science, and is receiving new and cumulative
proofs year year. the author of TINS treatise as
sails with tempest OF convulsive rhetoric only com
parable the frantic goDCbeatDg of heather Chi
nee under frightfu apprehension of the SUMS be-
ing swallowed by dragon. The remedy in both cases
Is equally adapted to the nature and extent of
The peril" The mischief of such writings, Professor
Martin suggests, is extremely grave. They widen the
breach between science and faith aud most dis
influence the mind of the youthful student
The mischief aggravated he airms, by the harsh and
captlous epthets applied by religious writers 10 the
views OF OF science. The terms "lnhdel,'' mate
Iialis" and the like fastened upon scientific men
who made unfiendly alusion TO religion,
whose discoveries, marking an advance IN scientific
conceptions, involve perhaps some changes in the con-
sructIon of Scriptural statements Instead of
calm and honest inquiry they met with stern and
reckless denunciatOn Instead OF ascertaining what
and important aspects may be given even to our
Scriptura conceptions many religious writers at once
raise the cry OF infdeity. and force the student OF
nature into an attitude OF hostility which he does not
accept and never intended 10 assume Even the mag
ndcent generalization OF the unity and converhby Of
physical forces assaed 10y Of this kind
In all ages the process has gone from the time OF
Calico TIL to-day. Astronomy and geology have by
time nearly through the conflict in triumph
Physics and ZOOLOGY the thick Of the fight.
and the next generation will them left in posses
sion OF the felr There is no danger Professor Martin
Continues that science will undermine the foundations
OF faith. gon has thus far suffered nothing from
adoption Of scientific views which, in times past
were considered dangerous than those which
now go greatly dreaded. "Tbe COperDican astronomy
the ages OF geology, the nebular hypothesis, have
but expanded vastly conceptions OF the Crea-
and sdn and ipf he final
energy OF the Gospel purer than before because
less involved with unrelated physical ideas" tNor
should the doctrine Of the conversion Of force or of the
development OF species awaken fears for the Christian
faith IL is aud strange ordeal through which
IL called 20 pass The outward forms OF religion IN
the process of perpetual reconstruction This is
perence which belongs to every and is essential 70
the life and development Of the wOrid-Tbe work Of
Professor Martin. who has brought bonored Dan9
the youthful ranks OF physical science Is remark
able for the maturity Of its views aud the nice dscm
nations with which 1t discusses questions OF equal
gravity and dehcacy and in which sweeping assertions
would be truth. In this respect lie furnishes
Wholesome example TO OF his elders the confidence
of assertions proportion to the obscurty OF
their ideas.
THB LITERARY READER By GEORGE r. CArHcaa. l2no.
~. 425. lgison Brakeman, iayior Co.
The title of this new manual affords cor
rect Indication OF its character In the excellent taste
selections and in the deafness and frequent felicity
of it, biographical notices. IL berays the influence of
literary breeding ana culture IN marked contrast with
the purely mechanical compilations Of which
numerous specimens found among current
educational works. The volume is not intended "a
compendium OF English hterature- but a series Of
select extracts from tue best authors in The language
with view both the practical a schools, and
of the more advanced students who wish to be
introduced the best literary produs U the Anglo
tQka MT IA
from tho acknOW master pieces Of English poetry
Il