The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-10
TIE RAY AND IMMORTALITY.

CuD3.
THE < RAY AND IMMORTALITY.
Among all the discoveries of science
which have been made in the present
century, and which for some years
back have been following each other
in such rapid succession, it may be
safely said that not one has caused
such profound establishment in the pop
ular mind. and so commanded and fixed
the attention of the scientific world as
the late discovery of Professor Ront-
gen. 1t is not only another noble
achievement TO be placed 10 the credit
of the interchangeable student of nature,
but an advanced step for all humanity
toward more conscious and intimate
relations with the unseen power that
permeates the universe; the invisible,
the infinite; TO man in his present state,
the incomprehensible. Marvellous as
these revelations of science (such as the
cathode ray) unquestionably are, and
intellectually beneficial in their applica-
ton TO the material wants and progress
Of mankind as they constantly are
proving TO be, there is more than the
promise of hope from the same source
for the religious enlightenment of hu-
mainly, by investigation of the spirit
ual, or life beyond the grave. In view
of what physical research has accom-
plished, may We not reasonably hope
that in its onward march the invisible
will be rendered still palmer TO mortal
comprehension, and faith be resolved
into certainty, and science be in fact
the handmade of religion. Professor
James Z. BiXby, in the May number
of the Arena, taking Professor Ront-
gems discovery for a text, thus ably
discourseS upon the relation of science
to religion: Zone of the popular cries
of the day is that which laments the
Undertaking. tendencies of modern
science. 1t is true that there is a num-
erous host who, intoxicated with the
smattering of the new knowledge
which they have obtained, have made
an idol of physical nature and have
fancied that every extension of law
and every transformation that was
found out, expelled in the same meas
ure the divine and the spiritual from
the universe. Nothing according to
this pseudo-scientific scepticlsm) is 10
be credited, except what the eye can
see or the finger feel. Influence and
analogy, such as religion builds its
temple with, are illegitimate methods
of reasoning. Imagination and faith
are but wings of Icarus that are sure
to bring to destruction the man rash
enough to explore with them. But the
real bearing of scientific research has
not been thus antagOniStic TO faith. 1t
has found that it can progress only by
taking imagination as its guide and
inference as its staff; and its greatest
triumphs have been obtained by
courageous rejection of the sceptics
dictum, that the horizon of sense Is
with the limits of either
possible existence or possible knowl-
edge. What constitutes, according to
science, one-half of the earth's crust,
and eight-ninths of its lakes and
oceans? Oxygen gas, the chemists as
sure us. But no chemist has ever seen, |
tasted. or smelled pure |
oxygen. 1t manifests itself, even when |
to a liquid, only by its |
forces, the gravitative, repulsive, or
cbemic properties which il exhibits. |
The more carefully science examines
the senses, the more surely it demon
strates their limitations and of how
small part Of the universe these flesh
y organs can catch a glimpse. With
the sirene, the physicist counts the VI
Orations of audible sound and finds
that the ordinary ear can hear no note
eSs than fifteen vibrations a second,
nor more than 1900; yet no one be-
ieves that when, with the increased
% the human ear. the vibrations cease.
,r that they would not be heard, were
,ur ear more delicate, as are those of
Int, bee, and many other insects. who
We have reason 10 believe do hear
hese finer sounds. Thus scientific re-
search, in these recent years, has dis
.losed to Us sounds that we cannot
rear, odors we cannot smell, light and
-sriOus physical energies TO which we
re insensible, yet which, by their in
lirect action and effects. compel us as
beings TO recognize their
Existence. To supplement this Infirm-
~ Of the senses, manifold ingenious
telescope, microscope.
thermOpyle, etc., have
zen invented; and in the borders OF
he world beyond the limits OF each
ense, a host Of curious phenomena !
ave been discovered But even with :
he aid OF the finest instruments. our
enSes are soon again brought to a
alt When the microscope has been ]
o improved as TO be able TO show Us I
pecks a ninety-thousandth part OF an {
lch in diameter, sight has again found !
self bafied- But because not even .
he microscope could discern any finer Z
uucture. any more infnitesimal OBJ I
ects, have physicists admitted that :