The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-09-02
Prof Tyndall Crosses the RuOlcOn.

Prof. TyndRll Crosses the RubIcon.
IFrom them. Y. Tribune Of Mondayl
The address Of Prof. TyndAll belort
the British Association for the Advance
men ol Science, Of which q very full and
comprehensive abstract ls furnished By
our regular correspondent, Is in many re-
spects one Of the most extraordinary ut
terances Of our time. Exactly how fal
the leaders Of scientific thought were
willing 70 go In that bordsrland where
We are very apt to suppose that science
may come into conflict with religion, has
been In regard to most Of them somewhat
an open question. Few among his fol-
lowers have equalsd Darwin In the ten
der delicacy with which he has approach.
ed the ultimate problem-the question
whether there is or % not the need Of q
Creator 70 perfect the scheme Of creation.
There Is nothing in all his writings Of ne.
cessity in conflict with o religious belief,
and there Is the furtheSt possible remove
from tho direct opposition 10 II. The
works Of Herbert Spencer, partaking
somewhat Of the combatiye tendencies OF
the man, are perhaps more outspOken In
this direction. But ho that would draw
an argument sgainst religious belief from
the works OF Spencer, must deduce 1t
from his arguments; he will not find II in
his words. Even In the very plain spoken
"Lsy Sermons" Of Huxley, the belief Of
their author In materialism il far from
being affirmed. Both Huxley and Tyn-
dali have frequently used language upon
this subject which translated into simpler
words meant that there was no necessary
conflict in the case; that science
and religion could pass each other with.
out knocking elbows. The followers ol
these great men have, as is the wont Of
disciples, said far more violent things
than their masters. The opponents Of
their views have rarely failed TO hurl st
them accusations oi infidelity and athe-
ism, to which for the most part they have
had good sense enough not 10 reply.
While no doubt there are many inqnisi.
tive people who would like to know pre-
cisely what such men think on these sub.
jects, 1t Is by no means certain that the
world has not been Just as well of though
such curiosity has not been gratified.
But into this neutral ground Prof. Tyn-
dali has suddenly advanced with uplitted
lance, ready Tor the fray. To put all
doubts at rest as to his intentions, he
dashes into the stream which separates
religious from irreligious belief, by svow.
ing his tGith in materialism. Having done
so, however, he assures his auditors that
thereis bend In the stream where he Is
iording It, 30 that it is not certain that
his landing will be on the opposite bank.
he discerns In matter "the promise and
potency Of every form and quality of
life" Yet he admits that "the whole
process OF evolution Is the manifestation
OF aPower wholly inscrutable to the in.
tellect Of man." But he is thirstiDg for
battle. He proclaims that there Is an ir-
resistible conflict between scientific ten
dencies and ecclesiastical reaction. Two
courses only, he thinks are open 70 Us,
and to one, of course, he leads the way.
Citing the incidents that have marked
the progress Of science for twenty-five
centuries, be would have US believe that
the forms Of religious opinion have
ever impeded 1t. Science claims unre-
stricted rights TO research. He would
confine religion to the sphere Of the emo
tions and drive It forever out Of the do.
main Of knowledge. .g,- ,...-
No circumstances are wanting to make
this demonstration impressive. 1t Is the
opening address OF the President OF the
most important convention Of scientific
men in the world. Every line oil 1t
breathes thought, power, eloquence.
Doubtless II will incite brilliant debate
and arouse fervid opposition. Out Of ID
all some good may come, and yet every
sensible man will deeply regret that the
address was ever delivered. Perhaps It
was not In the Hibernian temperament
Of Prof. Tyndall 10 endure with equani.
nifty the savage blows which
his promulgation foF q "prayer
test" has brought upon his head.
But the good taste Of making the meeting
OF the British Association the arena Of
his glsdiatorial prowess Is open to ques-
tion. Thousands who were beginning to
see that they might stand equally firm on
the truths Of science and those OF religion
will be shocked and draw back on seeing
the position Of this leader in thought.
Nothing except hostility will be gained
by those who range themselves beside
him. Science did not need this doughty
demonstration. Believers in Christianity
need not be assured that nothing in, Bel
fast or in the rest Of the universe can pre-.
vail against It.
'-n -o- r