Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1889-11-30


What is science? 1t is a true correla-
ton of the facts of nature, together
with true statement of the necessa-
ry differences therefrom. Now moth
ing is science which does not come
under this definition. Whenever /
stand in the presence of true correl-
alton of the facts of nature, / am
bound to accept as true that which is
their necessary meaning. Why?
Because the facts of nature are Gods
works; and wherever | come in con-
tact with God, either in the works of
His hands, or the words of His
mouth, am bound to bow to His
authority, and accept His teachings.
The only semblance of conflict be-
tween religion and science, is between
religion and certain improved theo-
ries of certain scientists. But these
unproven speculations of scientists
are no more science, than the wild
dreams of a fervid imagination in
preacher are Theology. Take as an
illustration of these unproven specu-
latiOns of scientists the modern doc
trine of the origin of species-Evolu-
ton. What is it? That life began
only in the lowest possible form. BY
generation inside this lowest species,
certain individual offspring, because
of peculiar environments, and by
means of the operation of certain nat
ural laws of selection, began to diff
fer from the parent species, and to
take on the characteristics of new,
and higher species. These char
acteristics became in time positive
and fixed, and as the last product
you have new species. A very
pretty piece of speculation, but only
speculation. 1t is not science, be-
cause it rests upon no correlation of
facts. Yet with what boldness of as.
sertion it is put forth in certain quar-
tiers as scientific truth. A certain
writer in a newspaper, made this
strange argument for it. 1t is uni
versally admitted to be true by all
the most noted scientists of our day,
therefore it is scientifically true.
Now his premise was false as to facts.
1t is not accepted as true by all of the
most noted scientists of ourday. But
suppose it were true, that it was &C.
cepted as true by ever scientist in the
world, that would not make it science
Science is not a correlation of the
opinions Ofscientists, any more than
Theology is correlation of the
opinions of Theologians. Truth is
not settled by suffrage. Science
must be the correlation of facts, JUS
as Theology must be correlation o
/ Scripture passages. Now it is no
against the formation of these thee
ries upon the part of scientist that
r protest. They are necessary as work
t ing forces in the scientists hand t.
t guide him in his search for facts
But do protest against the putting
} forth of these theories a
r. scientifically true, and demanding
r our faith in them purely upon tn
r authority of the scientists, and then
g from these as established truths
:, drawing arguments against any doc
= trine Of religion. This my friends
e is to make the effort to gain you
q faith by false pretenses, and to po
0 son your minds against religion q
d an unreasonable thing, by mean
, Of false principles.
Certainly the church, as she stand
e at the bar of reason is bound to d
/. two things.
i LIST, she must furnish to reason eV
c dence of the fact that the word sh
|. brings is from God. Here is a wri
v ten word that processes to be God
>. word. did not hear God speak il
e | did not see God write it. Men VIII
l. lived ages ago say He spake it
a them, and commanded them to q,
q liver it to the church. Now is it fr0l
p God? This is not question Of tn
e DRY or doctrine, but of fact. | n,
le only have right to, but am bour
n to demand the evidences of that ia
re as the ground Of my faith. In dOir
" so | am not questioning Gods abilit
r to speak to me if He wants to. al
N not questioning His right to speak
j. me in any way he pleaseS. am N
i. questioning my obligation to obt
:. Him, let him speak to me in any WI
:. he may. | simply demand to knO
ne that God does speak. The church
i. bound to furnish the evidences of tn
h. fact, and | am bound to take the
1T and carefully study and weigh then
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