The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1882-02-09
& ESTABLISHED IN
I MARCH, 1S{7.

a certain subject, then we must admit
that we are simply progressing to
wards it.
[ am aware that this definition
transcends the popular idea of the
word. Yet | believe that it must
attain to this definition before it can
make any imperious demands upou
faith.
In Difference to the popular idea,
have chosen the usual definition of,
"a systematic arrangement of the facts
known of anything
By "Religion''-I mean the system
of truth, God has revealed to us in the
Scripture It differs from theology,
in that the latter is systematic ar
rangement Of those truths-a science
of Bible truth. Theology is the ork
of man. "Religion''-as | use it in
this paper-is the work of God.
In the Bible, God has revealed Ger
tain things to US, which purport to be
facts We have his word substantial
ing their truth; and the question at
issue is; does Science conflict with
these alleged facts?
That there is a conflict between
some of our leading scientists on the
one hand, and our leading theologians
on the other, is not denied But this
is not the question at issue. These
two characters stand midway between
Science and Religion The theologian
may fail to understand his book, and
the scientist may not understand the
book of nature. Here is double
chance for conflict, which is further
increased by the probability of their
misunderstanding each other The
men are laboring in different realms.
Their plans of investigation are nee
essarily different. There is great pre-
sumptive probability of a misunder-
standing. The mere fact of theolo-
gian and scientist in controversy, in
no way causes real Science and Relig-
ion to conflict. The theologian may
be wrong, and must revise his theolo-
gy. But he may not revise the Word
of God. And the scientist must re-
member the same.
In very many instances theologians
have been wrong in their oppositions
to scientists. Galileo was cruelty per-
secuted by some fanatical churchmen
but these men afterward discovered
that they We're wrong, and that the
was right. They were
compelled to give up their notions
certain supposed facts;
theories concerning Scriptures, and
accept modified views.
The Bible is a book Of wonders
The facts therein revealed have never
yet been searched out dd ertren,uD'.
As those facts have a direct and i'm
mediate bearing upon eternity, it is
for the theologian to for
mulate an infallible theology. He is
in the same dilemma as the scientist.
Let the laws Of Lord Bacon be applied
to both classes, and their infallibillity
appears: II. Omit nothing. ii. I'M
agine nothing" The fact that Bib
heal Science is advancing is evidence
of its present fallibility. The fact
that Natural Science is rapidly advanc-
ing, is evidence of its present falli-
bility. Advancing Biblical Science
throws halo of glory around Modern !
Science and gladly welcoming them,
crowns them princes OF knowledge,
and uses them as fulcrums with which
to overthrow false, preconceived theo-
ries of theology. The God who wrote
the book of nature, and left the inn
print Of his handiwork upon the
whole realm, has writ the history Of
the ages upon the fiinty rock; has re-
vealed His wisdom in the harmonious
of nature; has revealed
His power in the mighty, stellar uni
verse; and His goodness in the wise
of daily Providence; has |
written the same in His Holy Book, |
and told the same story. And wheth- |
pr we sit down by the Silurian Rocks. |
and read the beginning of animal life;
and afterward trace it through its de-
in the Devonian, the Car
boniferous, the Mesozoic and the
Cenozoic; whether we sweep the
heavens with our telescope and study
The Harmony Of the Spheres;' or
sit by our open Bible and read: 'ln
the beginning God created the heav-
ems and the earth"-we are reading
ULlC ttAO SNO'uJ ms VIZ
work of the same Great Master. ]
may, perchance, find ray of light
from the sacred page, which may help
resolve some mystery Of the stars;
cr help read the record on the
finty album OF the Palaezoic ages
or in reading the records Of the rocks.
some ray Of truth may fash upon you
that may dispel some mystery of rev.
elation. We are all, but children
gathered upon the shore Of the vast
ocean of divine truth. May our
lights blend together.
True Science, and true Religion
never conflict. Scientists and the
ologians often conflict. and often
times are both wrong
Scientific theories and theological
theories often conflict. Gods word
in nature and Gods word in Scripture
the same,-they cannot conflict.
May God help US to understand
both!