, 1876-02-19
IS THERE A CONFLICT 2
Discussion Of the Question Of Science VI.
Religion from the Standpoint
of Ono Of the Laity,
In Editor Tries Ills Hand at Reconcil.
iation, and Casually Demollslles
Pantheism and Atheism.


iatio,,, and Casually Demollslles
Panticism and Atheism.
Ths following paper Was road before tho Phil.
osophfcal Aseooialion OF Evanston Monday oven.
ing last by Andrew nbunau. Of this city. It Ia
not otsen that editors venture into such deep
wators but whom they do, It TO creattabFe that
they succeed 80 we'll In mixing a swim OF It..
Tho paper, AZ read, VAS ms fo1sovb:
Observation-Disclosures
The essay whfcl, follows does not lay claim to
the dignity Of an atgun,entattro discussion,
being merely Al exposition, In general way,
Of cerenin impressions or concepts formed 10
tho mind OF ono who ts m interested spectator
rather than an active dslvor in tho fclda Of
Bclcnce md philosophy. Those concopta may
be TINS classified: ~ All truths nro in hnsmo-
nv with each other; {2) ranthclsm Is untona-
ble 10y the progress Of scsonco is fatal to
atheism "a Science Is not in conflict With
theology.
Firs,-Thers Is no good roaton Why thoro
should DO any conflict betucon science, properly
40 called, and religion or theology. Tho fact
that such d conflict ia occasionally obtruded
upon the world Of controversy ts duo TO ths
oversensitivcueea or tho misanprehenstons Of
religlonists or to the uuWalrAnted use that tho
speculative philosophers mako OF Rcicntilo de-
volopmcnts rather thkn to tho disposition OF
the purposes Of tho scientists themselves who
deal in facts, md not In opinions OF croedB.
Champions Of formulated religions and tnlcxiblo
church tencts hkve over, throughout tho prog
rcsB Of huu,nu research and philosophy, 10 In
tho case Of 1atitno, attempted to cn1barrA1s tho
aerotees Of ac,euca in thoir ofortH to discover
mud bring to light the hidden truths and pripci-
pies OK Na'uto, oS 3alsos against tneu ~ au'os.
every step, the alnrm-crY OF "lnfde!ity'"
. Hberesy" or tQtheism.b As II fpliglon
vern not ttne,t asaontf.,tv the ux.
80. IL .-,,.s, ~ ~, .,r,,c,+fo1
ponaas " ~ ot ~ ~ r. e,;.;s.
o1 tho eognitiso 'aslties OF LUG ,.,'" ai4,H" !"
economy, thcso Jealous ''uefendets Of tho faiih "
seem to leprecate tho discovery or promulgaton
~ rou tr,+t, vh,c, III, nrnorcea of titno md
nr.at,-s..o., ~, ,,r;1,, =, I'm .nrt,ce .nnnt,
lnsoSt'sa'on tAa5 o4'ns " 'n' ~pe
emily fearful that IT may accomplish the fu'n q
Tho very tcnplo Of hurnan ssnettty+ They do
not atop to consider that all truths, having
common origin in iufallsbis!ty, must be in bar
mony with each other; that tile Got whom they
worship Ia as much tho author Of tho truth Do
vcIoped by science ~ Of TINT dovelopod BY
Scriptural revelation OF that evolved from mans
inner conBcionsnesa By hia moral conscience or
intellect; s1d that, thcrofore, inasnuch - NJ
falss theory OF assumption. can ulthstand tho
tesla OF time or reason, religion which cannot
consistently roject = truth, has nothing to fear,
but everything TO hopo FOR, tron WhateYct light
honest aud Intelligent Bcteutliio rsseatch may
throw upon tho mysteries or tho imperfncsly-un-
derstood laws Of tho physical 1sntversc.
It may 10 assorted, Al u proposition capahle Of
demonstration, that never yet has IN earnDst
and parsia:eut student Of tho sciences, wbo Was
animated BY sincere lore Of scieueo for iss
own aake, been rendered either irIeliEtous or
athest!c BY tho facta he hAo learned or the dis
operating il this vast atom!o COSMOS which tho
creative Word called Into being and endowed
with its wondrous capabilities snd its infinite
form OF lifo and phunoucnh; and, fnrtheE-
moro. 1t is enaY 70 conceive how tho discovery
hud study Of these sublime capabilities and
fosmR and the marvellous fotcos With which thoy
aro inBtinct. could dtspol from the Akeptacal
mind all doubt in roferenco 10 fundamental
Theological truth. and inspiro and strengthen IN
tho heaitadng soul tho spirit Of Religious adorA-
t!on.