Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-03


Az we had expected, the British Assocts.
ton now IN session at Montreal has evoked
considerable unwisc criticism IN certain
quarters. We say rs we had expected, Tor
the reason that no scientific body ever yet
assembled that was not made the object OF
attack from those who, however sincere
they may be, vsiuly imagine that by their
attacks they are strengthening The cause
Of Christianity. We would be the last to
advance the idea that materialism should
rot be attacked--nsy. we hold II to be the
DUTY Of the secular ~ well rs OF the re-
ligIous press TO strike and spare not when
ever II raises its head-and we consider all
forms Of error the object Of Legitimate criti-
chm. In fact, speaking for the secular
press, we 90 80 far as to say that we do
not think that as a rule IL makes itself
heard as often as 1t should In this
particular field. The idea so prevalent
that the secular press in assuming promi-
nence In the direction indicated trenches
upon the province Of the religious press,
IL false and illogical. Yet, on the other
hand. the error OF errors ~ TO condemn
scientific bodies simply because they are
scientific bodies, and TO indulge In indis-
criminste criticism Of the whole on account
OF The errors or vagaries OF a few. The
Springfield Republican makes a very good
point when, commenting on specimen
criticism upon the Association. IL says:
'Men have perfect right to build any
theory they please on what foraminiiera
they may find on the shore OF the carboni-
ferrous SEQ, but 1t only works for i'll with all
concerned when the religious press cast an
insnuation OF uDgodliness on whole body
Of learned men, the moment evolution in
the processes Of nature is spread before
the public. In q large sense, hon.
esty OF purpose only can make man
Of science. But il Is not honest to shrink
from an empirical analy sis, because The facts
may in some way conflict with some reli-
gious creed. There never was discovery
in science which In any proper sense tend
ed TO undermine the Christian religion, vet
the moral iimIdity OF thousands of profess
ing Christians. when they see a new book
on astronomy or geology, is something
astonishing. This attitude, so lacking IN
mental compOsure and moral serenity. Is
standing menace to religion. II even starts
n doubt as to the validity Of the evidence Of
things not seem"
TIE Republican is right. Religion has
nothing to fear from trth science. On the
contrary, 1t has everything to hope for from
it. The mistake the class OF critics We
have alluded 10 make is in not recognizing
a distinction between such men as HCX-
LEY and SPENCER, and BRADLAUGH and Bob
INGERsOLL. On The one hand we have TO
deal with earnest seekers after truth;
on the other with blatant material
lists, whose sincerity is, to say the
least. questionable, and who are open
10 the suspicion Of promulgating their doc
trines for the sahe OF making personal CAPT.
tai and gaining nOtOrlety. Aside from the
fact that we have reason to believe that
SPENCER and HUXLEY have modified their
views. they have in a sense done great
deal for Christianity. They have brought
to the front such men n DR.. D0LLINGER-
IN abstract Of whose address we gave yes
tcrday-wbo carry the torch OF science in
Dne hand and the gems OF revelation in the
other, and who use the light OF the ore TO
impress the finite mind with the glorics
Df the other. With sects aud creeds we
have nothing TO do, but we do say that reli-
gion Is in no danger as long as the logic of
science and the logic Of Christianity run
parallel in the minds Of the greatest think
pis OF the world. We reiterate tbat It is a
crave mistake to attack bodies the aggre-
rate result Of whose Investigations leave
he blasphcmous school OF BRADLAUGu and
SGERsOLL not stone TO rest on, and this
imply because some theory OF some member
Il one Of those bodies conflicts with our own
,eculiar creed. Let us give the mistaken
arrest, conscientious workers in science
he greatest latitude, confident that they will
tut stimulate others not only to demon
trate the error Of their way, but to shed
new hight on the cause OF Him that Is the
Light OF the world. The experience OF the
past is that every scientific" heresy has
)ecn Instrumental in evolving a score OF
scientific truths. and that every scientific
ruth has proved handmaiden OF religion.
an we not trust the future for similar
'xpertnceS