The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-02-05
Science and Rcligion-Reply 10
Gamma.

Editors IntCllISeucCr:
With your permission / propose to use
little OF your space in replying to your
correspondent Gamma"
l don't do this because am fond OF
controversy, neither to make vain show
OF knowledge, for keenly realize that l
know but little, nor yet that hopc to
convert Gamma, and those OF his school, to
my own way OF thinking. My object is to
show that tie facts assumed by them are
not facts; that the faith Of those who have
neither tho time nor the ability to inves.
tignte the subject, be not overthrow.
The infdelity OF the present day is ey.
er on the alert to make science subscrve
its purpose, and disprove that tho Bible is
revelation from God. Nay, in. its Gag
.erness to leave mankind in spiritual dark
ness, it boldly assumes that this has Ill
ready been done. They assume that the
Bible is Of human origin; and that the
discoveries OF science have shown its
statements to he false. They then 20 on
to assume that tho idea that It is u revela-
ton from God is an exploded, untenRblc
idea; and that it is now only held by the
ignorant, the bigotcd, and the superstiti-
Gus. They set forth to the world that by
their Investigations OF material things,
and Of tho laws that govern them, they
have lifted themselves above the regions
Of ignorance, bigotry and superstition in
to the pure light OF ascertained truth;
and vet in their discussions OF these things
they make it manifest that they are dwell
ing in a darkness that can be felt, 50. far
as the things treated Of in the Bible are
concerned. ...... IIl.,
In my article in reply to Mr.. Sinsel'S
letter, / characterize their philosophy as
false. l do this because that by It they
attempt to explain spiritual things by
material things, between which there 10
no analogy. In other words they try to
mako their knowledge, and even theories
Of material things, disprove the Bible,
which treats OF spiritual things, as It's
primary object, and only Of material
things secondarily, and incidentally.
The purpose Of the Bible isito teacllto
man the right knowledge Of the true God,
tho Creator and the Sovereign OF tho uni
verse; 10 give to man right knowledge Of
the conditions OF his existence, and OF
his relations and duties to his Creator,
and to his fellows; and especially to re-
veal to him Gods gracious purpose to
redeem him from the ruined and broken
condition in which he finds himself
placed; to restore him to His favor and
lost image, and translate him 70 a higher
state Of being, where he will be forever
free from the miseries and evils Of his
present state. In other words TO reveal
10 him that eternal life which Is in his
Son. 80,
Tomake him know the spiritual side
OF his nature; and by making him &C:
quainted with the goodness, love and
grace Of God. his Creator, to develop and
strengthen his moral faculties, as well as
TO repair, as well rs may be in his present
state, the broken and disordered state OF
his intellectual powers.
The Bible did not set out 10 teach man
scientific knowledge. Hence we find the
account giyen'of the creation Of the uni
verse, contained in one short chapter;
shorter indeed than the length to which |
my present article has already attained.
/ nm free to admit thatth discoveries Of
science have enabled us to attain to bet.
ter, a more rational understanding Of
his short account OF creation, as well as
Of occasional passages in tho Bible in
which there arc incidental allusions 10
material things; yet l assert that they
nave not contradictCd any rational and
fair Interpretation Of the Bible account.
The Bible can DO shown, beyond a reason.
able doubt, TO be the word Of God, and
there can never be any conflict between
his word and his works.
Scicuce has in some instances thrown
light on some. portions Of Scripture that
has led to their better understanding. In
this every lover OF tho Bible will rejoice,
and gladly accept It's aid. The Bible in
its great scope and purpose is not to be
tried BY science; it stands upon considera.
lions, and is established by arguments OF
a very different character. Does not
Gamma know that the scientific world Is
divided in regard to the conflict which he
ms assumed to exist between science aud
Ihe Bible! Docs he not know that Il
would be easy togiyea long list Of names
Of men, eminent for their scientific attain.
ncnts, who have as yOt found nothing in