Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-04-30

and, at this time, such mass OF evidence
has been collected that he claims right to
collect and classify these discoveries into
different sciences. arranging them under
their several heads as chemistry, physics,
astronomy and all of the "OlOgies." 1t is
interesting to trace the different ideas as
at the present day and to see
under how many forms they have been
held and taught. Yet in all the central
thought has beeD-that there must bs a
Creator.
From the conception of thought to the
statement of an hypothesis, from the n.y.
pothesis to theory. from the theory to q
may be years or centuries.
About 240 y. G. PythagOras advanced
the theory that the Sun was the
grand centre of the solar system, but pop
ular prejudice in favor of the old idea pre-
vented its acceptance, and its advocates
were looked upon as visiOnaries who de-
sired to lower the dignity of the Earth BY
making it occupy a secondary position
among the heavenly bodies. The old doc
trine was held until the middle of the six
teenth century when COpernicus re-
vived the Pythagorean doctrine, but it
was not accepted until after the invention
of the telescope in the middle of the seven
teenth century, and even at that time it
was deemed irreligious to believe that the
world moved.
You remember that in Rome, the city
of the " Infallible." Calico, in his seven
tieth year, was compelled to retract his
statement and declare that the earth does
not move, but rising from his knees NUT
tered, "And yet it docs move"
How few people ever question to find
out the I" how or I" why Of things fall
ing under their observation every day.
Myriads of people before Newton had seen
apples falling, yet none of them questioned
the phenomenon. Perhaps something falls
under our observation every day that will
miss making our names great, and hyand by
when it comes to us as some great discOv-
cry or invention We shall wonder why we
did not make our names everlasting.
We can not all become famous as New
ton. Galileo, Huxley, Edison, or Bell, but as
teachers we may, by teaching our pupils
to think, lead them to make investigations
that may render them famous, and 80 long
as the world is made richer, what matters
it to us if we do remain in Obscurity?
Above all things we must be careful not
to assert or deny anything in science till
we have proven its truth or falsity by
mathematics. We must not trust to
logic or poetry to decide theOry--un-
yielding mathematics and actual proof
are our only safe reliance. Let me re-
mark that the scientists who have moved
the thinking world do not belong to tho
class with Clifford and Draper, but have
been mathematicians.
since the beginning of civilization each
age has had its characteristics. We have
had centuries of goodness and centuries Of
evil, centuries OF ignorance and centuries
of learning, centuries of art, centuries Of
literature, and this nineteenth century
seems to be that of scientific studies ard
as it draws to its close it seems as if there
was no end to the new theories advanced,
proved and accepted. We nave become
so accustomed to theories that they NO
longer startle US, nor do we rush headlOng
to join ourselves to one Of the two sides
brought out with every new theory. Nor
do We blindly rush to protect the Bible,
which has withstOod so many shocks that
its foundation is demonstrated to be not of
mans laying. Feeling sure that the puny
attacks Of the so called scientists can never
overturn it, we rest content, hearing the
arguments advanced in support of each
new theory, which must stand or fall by
its own merits.
Through all the works of God there is
apparent law, and the true scientist sees
that law and tries to bring all into accord
with it. This law could not spring from
chance, but must result from the wise
plans of that Great Architect who laid the
foundations of the Universe. Nor does He
create as men build, fitting part to part
with great labor, making body here and
adding another to it there. but He works by
the laws which He created from the first.
Law secures uniformity in the result, and
tho attending circumstances acting by
law produce infinite variety. Thus we
come to realize among the sublimest at
tributes of Deity the wisdom that could
devise and the power that can enforce
law.
A common and loose manner of speak
ing of law is to speak of Forces. We speak
of the Forces of Nature, as the force OF
light, the force of heat and the force OF
electricity, the force of chemical action
and, secondarily, of gravity, centrifugal
and cetripetal forces, thus using the word
in a very wide sense, and often very mac,
carately. Force may be changed but not
annihilated. The Sun is the ultimate
source of the forms of Force with which,
we are surrounded. The mechanical en-
crgy of winds, of falling water, is due
to solar heat. A part Of this energy
may rc-appear as friction. Plants grow by
the light and heat of the Sun, and be-
come food and fuel. Thus wood and min.
eral coal are transmitted sunshine. Even
animals may in certain sense be reckon
ed transmitted sunshine.
The lecturer then proceeded to discuss
the various Forces, showing how they are
connected and bringing outthe conservation
of energy. He also referred the force Of
gravity and universal gravitatiOn, showed
how these are connected, how they are
related to electricity, and how this rela-
tion explains the Nebular Hypothesis.
continuing his remarks much as follows !:
l have been led into this discussion
hoping to give some of you, teachers es-
pecially, another idea of the importance of
the study of Physical Science and to show
you how that each branch of study is de-
pendent upon and may help all others.
There is still large field for thought, and
it needs explorers. Not all knowledge
died with those whose names are already
famous, nor will it die with us.
Let us remember that ten hundred
years ago but ono king in Christendom
could read, much less the common people ::
and that three hundred years ago it was a
great accomplishment for lady to be
able to write !; so great that she need not
know how to spell; she was accomplished
enough! 1t has been but few years since
our improvement began. Perhaps the in
habitants Of Mars or some of the older
planets have been StudVin0 these sciences