New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-14

To many people doubtless. Easter means little
more than Il new scarf or a modish bonnet.
Others for whom the day has somewhat deeper
meaning are nevertheless, far from apprehend-
ing the doctrine Of n carnal resurrection which
many Christians suppose 1t 10 teach. Science
has declared that doctrine to be utterly unten-
able and even the clergy to-day, with few OK
ccptionS. no longer preach it. In the churches
this morning there will he much said about the
blessed hope Of immortality; but we doubt II a
single preacher will declare that the atoms of the
identical physical body that was laid in tho
grave will be brought together again and dow
cred with an immortal existence. 1t is concep-
ton entirely foreign 10 the spirit OF the age;
and, in the long run. the Church must always
take account of the spirit of the age
This is not to say, however. that the Festival
OF the Resurrection is being cmpucd of its mean
Ing; on the contrary, its essential teaching IS
coming to he more widely recognized than ever
before Not so much because Of any new access
of faith in the theology of Easter as because OF
most interesting tendency Of thought at work
outside of theology. few years ago material
ism seemed to be carrying everything before II.
1t Is doing so no longer 1t IS becoming dis
credited in the house of its friends. Mr.. Balfour,
himself once n rcputcd agnosc If not material
ist has Just turned upon it the terrible inquiry OF
science. its supposed godfather and has riddlcd
its dcfcnccS full Of holes. Nor is Mr.. Balfour the
only champion Of n divine Fathcrhood as against
maierialism. Mr. Herbert Spencer has dis
claimed the matcralistic teachings supposed to
ho found in his earlier works. Mr.. Huxley has
poured the Walls Of his biting scorn on those who
assert that science has diSproyed the existence
l,ae hot oil "A
WAY that any Christian might conccvably accept
f. Professor PrcStwich declares uniformitarian-
ism. once regarded rs the chief poStulate of sci
once T. he scientific fetch" Wesman hav.
inc declared design to be the only alternative TO
natural selection. Lord Kelvin accepts the al
tentative. and SAYS the universe shows over
"powcrinsly strong proofs Of intelligent ana hc-
"ncyo,ont design" Mr. benjamin Kidd rebukes
certain scientists for bclittlInS religion ana ap-
knowingly quotes Gocthcs definition Of religion as
"ihe deepest nay the one theme OF the world
history. TO which all others are subordinate
And Lord Salisbury. not long ago, as repre-
sentative 81 the Royal Society, conveyed the
voice # English science" in tho declaration that
tho greatest danger of scientific speculation Is
the acceptance II mere conjecture in the name
and place Of knowledge in preference to making
frankly the admission that no certain KNOW euGe
".an be- attained" To refer again To Professor
Huxley, hls dlctum that all science starts WIN
'a-sumpilons that are improved. while they may
..bc. and often are erroneous. Is coming 10 pe
recognized rs n fundamental poStulate Of science
l. II necessary TO point out how this swing of
the scientific pendulum affects such doctrine
o, that Of the resurrection? Surely not Men
may drift away. rs indeed They are doing. from
tie crude moliacyal conceptions OF a life beyond
the grave Much even that IS today taught in
the churches about the resurrection life may be
worn away through atriton with the question
ing thoughts Of humanity. But 50 long as room
& left i'm mems theories and speculations for the
idea Of an intelligent First Cause, there VIII he
room in mems hearts for the hope OF immortal
itv The time may never come when science
viii assert immortality As necessary dogma
Hut Il is doing something far more helpful IMAM
that; il Is declaring that beyond the utmost con
Gpcs ~ It's knowledge lies the source Of all that
is which can only be unprecedented by the in'u-
lions of faith Not the Christian only to-day, but
rcyercnt science ii is which puts forth the cry Of
the poet,
Thou wilt not leave Va in tho dust;
Thou madcst man. he knows not why;
lIc thinks he was not made 10 die
And Tnou hast made him: Thou art just