New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-31
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
THE SCIENTIFIC CONSCIENCE"
AN APPRECIATIvE ESTIMATE OF PROFESSOR


AN APPRECIATlVE EsTlMATE VI IhOr r'''O"
HUXLEY's CHARACTER.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: I was very glad to read Mr.. Humphry
Wards letter In last Sundays Tribune relative to
Professor Huxley. and especially these words: His
family worshipped him." Indeed" says Mr.. ward
when one looks back upon his unvaryins sweet
OF temper. upon his total disregard or ser
and upon his readiness to give OF his best. whether
In great matters or In little one does not wonder al
tho worship. 1t is scarcely too large word to APP
ply to the feeling he'd toward him by many OF his
scientific friends for they In him not
only the great leader the protagonlst in the strug-
gle between truth and superstition. but also the
most devoted. the most kindly. the most human OF
men"
Could a greater loving tribute be PAID
to Mr.. Huxley's character? And are not these
words sufficient evidence OF his real Christian char-
acter-Christian, that is, in the highest and best
sense? Although nomnaily not Christian. sun ne
was really the incarnation Of the spirit OF Chris
tlanty Sceptic. was he. and arch-agnostlc? What
matter? He did not pretend to know the unknow-
able. believed everything that seemed to him TO be
true, and was courageous enough to act accord
ingly. He too honest to pretend to be what ne
was not. II Christianity be general principle toI
ursefishness, altrusm) Old as the universe IT.
self was not Professor Huxley good an embodi-
ment OF Ii az could be found In Chr.stendom! ana
II So what words are for his detractors,
And is 1t not encouraging sign that though'iui
men are learning to discriminate between the real
good man and the man nomlnally good' between
the possessor of real Christian character ana the
mere professor OF religion? There Is difference
and IL the really good. whatever their peieis (WHICH
dishonor Deity. are not sure OF the FAVOR oi
God both here and hereafter. then what may those
expect who have only official goodness! Ana IS IL
not a growing belief that a mans character Is
rightly estimated at all by his church relations
not by his conspicuous badge OF religion Out ~
his deeds? Good men. and | may say the pest men,
may and often do. profess nothing. but are known
and prefer TO be known by their fruits. Men do not
gather grapes Of thorns.
Have We not at last heard enough OF the alleged
dangerous influence Of the worlds great scie1t.hc
men? Are they inhie.s? They believe all theyron-
scentlous.y can. and would believe more IL they
could be convinced OF It's credibility. They peiieVe
all the truths Of the Bible as well as other DOCKS
although they may reject what seems to them I'M
probable or untrue. They have moro conscience In
matters OF belief than the great religious teachers
who believe what they are told The scientific man
believes only what he confirm or that only
which clear and distinct that 1t cannot be
doubted" This is what Mr.. Huxley calls the hrst
great commandment Of science which consecrates
doubt and removes 1t from the seat OF penance
amory the grlevous sins 10 which IL has long been
condemned ani enthrones 1t IN that high pace
among the primary duties which is assigned to II
by the scientific conscience ~ these latter days
Was Huxley then conscientious? More 20 than his
de,rac,ors He said: "The only freedom care
about Is the freedom to do right"
All yes It Is jus; that. just that scientific con-
scentiousness that intellectual honesty and accu-
r,cy in such men As Huxley which gives them such
A large and respectful hearing and makes their
writings so attractive and authoritative to thought
mi men To follow them We have not 10 take leave
OF reason ami comlnor-scnse. which means sooa
subject intellectually naked. without bias. without
prcposSession. examine for themselves ana t.P2tt
the scientific method most are suCh as appr'a'n
subject with lrdsmcn, @l''any i,r. nropcr FOR
confirming their preposs ssslons Does me judgment
OF these latter carry weght No ahs"cr : nro ICES,
Sary Their audience Is made up not pi the most
thoughtful men IN" most Intelligent IN, m &C.,
cnuhc Or oven ne most cors,icnuouS M .ncen,ins
~ ,,,,r,,rcc what bats ana oxen think" Let
religion take warning Faith Is necessary, anu ho
one realizes rs value more than the Srlrntlnc W,nu
hr, faiih should no, be COMPOUNDED with absolute
Pr"isssor Huxley all no, believe IN mirasIes 1ps
ntraculans conception ana resurrection OF the SON
Of Man Uut Is II conceivable tina, this ack OF belle"
:. !, conrelvahle should the Son OF Man come again
- Inc earth that he would ask his followers. DO
bir'h ana Death Would Il not b, al impertlnehce'
Tho greater question. including al 9'nsr Iucsions
T,nr,on Including all Others Keep my Command
mont" Dl Professor Huxley disregard any nat
IRA, law Dh he not believe IN caus" ana cHecI
the 'chancelors " Goig' only that man - re-
leious Who understands tha, the Laws OF nature are
M. laws - God. tha' they az" sanitary ana mus
lac ohcvcl We command nature by opeS.nS h"r
law. "Whatsocvcr man soweth ,hat snaI IL d ne
Also reap" No one realized these truths more 'hah
Mr. Huxley , -. ,.,,,h tho
writer IL Indebted 10 Professor Huxley am - s.ai
70 acknowledge MS debt glad. also ma, ms nraao
man lived AMI thought and spoke with true couras.
ami srlf-rellance glad that he aclnaintei ne "oru
with that only safe guide. the sclent ne ,9Hn.
science The word may wei, mourn ne loss OF Uis
great good man. Let him rest IN peace
'' SELWlN \. RUSSELL.
Poughkeeps,e. y. Y, July 10.