Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-15
SCIENCE AND REVELATION.
The First of ri. Rev. Bishop
Kain's Lsnten Lectures,
Delivered Yesterday Afternoon to a Large
congregation---The Bible Does
Not Conflict with
Science.

LdeI cNEulnb al thO 'SOPNA
the Cathedral, Ri. Rev. Bishop Kahn
commenced his course of Lenten lectures
on Science and Revelation" delivering
the first of the series to large congrega'
ton. There can be no doubt that, among
the thinkers of our day, this IL a burning
question. In his introduction, the Bishop
admitted, whilst he deplored, the fact that
in6delity is on the increase in our own and
other lands, and. that one reason tor this
spread of unbeliet is found in the writings
and teachings of some of the most eminent
scientists. These have unfortunately
created in many minds the false impress
sion that the Holy Bible cannot be recon
ciled with the output OF
MODERN SCIENCE
in its various departments. This view Is
industriously circulated in the popular
literature of every country aid receives
a msgisterial sanction in the halls OF COL
leges and universities. Its upholders pro-
claim with dogmatic boldness that, 10 &C.
cept the the teachings OF the Bible and dis.
card the amt. Christian theories of the
would be leaders and moulders OF modern
thought, is the mark Of an uneducated
and unscientifc mind. The argument
is plausible but gratuitous. To meet this
assault upon the sacred and venerable
teachings of Gods holy Word, is.the pur-
pose of these Lenten discourses. The
greater the danger from infdeiity under
the deceptive guise of science, the more
necessary and timely is the defense OF the
Christian position.
The first contention of the RI. Rev.
Lecturer was that, in the very nature oil
things there can be no contradiction be-
tween true science and Divine Revelation
because God, VINO is the author OF both,
cannot contradict Himself. The better to
elucidate this position, he stated the nature
and scope Of Revelation, and argued that
FAITH AND REASON
we're Of mutual assistance, one to the 9th
err. To disspate the erroneous impression
which some entertain, that lnhdellty has
enlisted all scientific minds in the cause,
he named quite number of world.renown-
ed scientists who were frm upholders OF
the Christian revelation. Returning to
the consideration Of the Bible as an in
spired and therefore truthful record, he
took the position that errors Of minor i'm
portance as in dates, &c errors not at
fecting the revealed doctrine-may be
and must be admitted with
ont advancement to the
sacred text. The purpose of the inspired
peumen must not be lost sight Of. Their
purpose was not, as the Hon. Mr.. Glad
stone correctly states in his late tilt with
Prot. Huxley, 10 furnish the world with
scientific knowledge, but to make known
the great facts and truths which lead man
TO know and serve his Creator. These &C.
cred truths imply many duties which must
be discharged by the believer, whilst the
unbeliever considers himself free from all
such restraints. This consideration fur
nishes a powerful motive to human pas
sions to ignore the Divine Lawgiver.
To the charge go often made against
the church that she is
HOSTILE TO SCIENCE
and the spread OF knowledge, the Bishop
replied by reference to her untiripg efforts
in the cause OF mental and moral improve.
ment in every age and in every land, and
By denying the interences which her enc,
mics strive to draw from certain historical
incidents
From these preliminary observations,
which, though lengthy, were necessary
preparation, the Bishop passed to an expo.
sition OF the Bible teaching in reference
TO the origin OF the world.
The objections broaght against the
Mosaic record were put and answered,
though this question will be treated more
in detail in subsequent lecture.
The Bishop then placed before his hear
era q grand panorama of the universe
such as modern astronomy has revealed 1t,
the immensely of the world which be-
wilders the human mind in it's attempt to
conceive it, and the marvellous order which
everywhere reigns throughout this vast
creation. Whilst in these mighty wonders
the mind of the Christian man is simply
lost in admiration of the power and wis
dom Of the Infinite Being. The infdel
pretends to fad therein grounds for i'm
pugniug the very existence Of God. His
line of argument was mapped out and its
sophistry exposed.
ONE INTERESTING POINT
touched on by the Bishop was the question
Of the possibility of the planets and stars
being Inhabited By natural beings. But
even if The affirmative theory could be es
tablished beyond any doubt, the Ri. Rev.
Lecturer insisted that this fact would in
validate no doctrine OF Divine
Revelation. For. he argued, the in.
hsbitants Of those other worlds, if
like the race of Adam, destined for the
besti6c vision of God in heaven, may have
never rebelled against their Creator, and
may not, for that reason, have needed
Redeemer; or possibly, though endowed
like us with intelligence, they may have
been created for some more natural des
tiny. In either case, the existence Of
rational creatures in other worlds besides
our own, may be conceded without detri-
hent to the teaching Of the Bible.
The second lecture of the series will be
delivered in the Cathedral next Sunday a;