Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-18

hour delighted his very attentive audience with
pointed Illustrations and graphic utterances.
Professor Winston, LID, Of Richmond Cob.
iefe, delivered tho address before tho alumni
The Professor graduated in ,hs class Of 1854
and took the FIRST honor. 10 was the following
year an instructor here. His alma mater gave
him the degree Of LID. in 1881.
PROFESSOR wNsToE's ADDBksz
After a pleasant word OF introduction and
complimentary reference 10 his alma mater,
Professor winston announced as his suiect
"The Recent Progress Of the Physical Sciences
and the Influence OF that Progress on Other De-
partments of knowledge" He characterized
this as pre-eninently the age OF science,
and showed by reference 20 college cur
ricula, to school courses, 70 current literature,
70 books for children as we'll as for adults, and
by the constant reference to scientific facts from
pulpit and platform, that the world felt an In
terest in such matters that II had never eyinccd
before. And then, on the practical side, he well
Illustrated the growth OF science, not 30 much by
the multiplication Of scientific Inventions, BIKE
the telephone and the electric light, ss by the
increase Of scientific knowledge. The spectre
scope, with its wondrous revelations on earth
and In the heavens, was referred 70 as having
almost revolutionized astronomy since his col
lege days; and with the aid Of the camera 10 was
enlargng our knowledge almost beyond
conception. "The faintest llght-message
dispatched 10 us on the waves OF ether
from the far-off star a thousand years ago
troscope its Intricate folds deicately unfold
ed, the story that IL tells IL read, and ere the
CLEAN Ia gone a copy Is taken by the camera, and
he record laid away in the archlng OF science for
he ages 70 come.
ADVANCE IN ELECTRICITY.
Other illustrations wore given, including the
immense advance In our knowledge Of electricity.
The speaker also introduced, with evident hesi-
tation, tho growth Of the evolution Idea as
another illustration. He quoted leading biolo-
glsts TO show that Darwin's book, published in
1859, had wholly changed the stand point from
which all biological problems are considered.
He dlsayowed any purpose TO- pronounce
upon the truth or untruth OF the doc
trines Of evolution, as his studies had not
been In that direction, and he was not
entitled te an opinion about them, but II was
indisputable fact that their evolutionary doc
trines we're not only powerful factors In their
proper sphere Of biological science, but were
spreading into and affecting other departments
OF knowledge. Evolution Ii In the air, and for
the time II almost dominate our modes OF thought
in many directions"
Safely through with this delicate subject, the
speaker took up discusso OF the distinctive
methods or characteristics OF science, with the
view OF showing how these methods have diff
fused into other departments.
CHARACTERISTICS oPsc1BNeE.
He gave these as the characteristics OF science:
l. An answering devotion 10 truth-for the
sake Of truth, and without regard TO conse-
quences.
2. The almost exclusive use Of the inductive
method and constant demand Tor ydets and
experimental evidence.
g. An apparently disproportlonate attention
70 little things; minute errors, In approxima-
lions minute things, az molecules, hght-Wayes,
&C. the minute beginnings OF things IS NH
crobes, bacilli, &c.
4. A siowness 10 believe and an unfailing de-
mand for sufficient proof.
3. A habit OF drawing sharply and strongly the
= 4 l.
more or less probable, and the unknowable.
These characterics Of the scientific method
showed themselves primarily In the physical
sciences. The speaker went on to show that they
had OF late years diffused themselves into other
departments
Psychology was taken as one example, and
the modern treatment Of Psychology. was shown
10 differ widely from that formely In vogue IN
the direction OF being more scieutific. bduca-
ton was another. and the reforms in that de-
partment were traced 10 the influence OF sci
entific methods. Even theology was shown TO
have been affected by these methods.
RESULTS OF THE INFLUENCE.
As 20 the result Of this influx Of scientific
methods the Professor held that they were In the
main salutary. "Science has winnowed out the
chat from many a scattered heap Of grain" But
there we're some dangers; there might be In the
increased pursuit OF science tendency TO mate
rialsm. Too much subdivision, and too much
attention 10 little things might make men mar
row. 100 pcIslbbaut uoihahu iVi AhSt nhu "a
pertinent might make men obliyious 70 those
things which appeal 10 our faith. In conclusion
the speaker begged that there might be
better understanding between scien-
tinc men and others, and especially
the ministers OF ihe Gospel He depre-
Gated the natural misunderstandings, the
questionings of motives, the prejudices, and the
denunciations sometimes INDUCED In, and hoped
for the day "when science and theology should
be merged into one universal science, whose
deanition should be a knowledge Of God and
His works"
The eminent gentlemen we're listened 70 de-
spite the intense heat. More OF the old students
we're noticeable In the audience than for many
years past.
DIR. fIoge arrived this afternoon.
The PbiIanthropic Society had It's annual cele-
bration tonight with the usual nutter OF bats
and fans.