Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-08-26
The Reformer-Part 8.


ID. D., Editor.
Piety has found
Friends in the friends of Science, and true
Prayer
Has flowed IRON lips wet with Csstalian dew
Cooper.
Contrary to the wish of the atheistc and
the weak fear Of the uninformed, criticism,
hostile or reverent has not weakened but
strengthened the Christian position. 1t is
perfectly safe principle that honest inquiry
never produces anarchy; it Is error, con-
ceived and held fast, that first destroys its
subject, and then propagates itself in ruin.
lnsncerity blasts this world Half-beliet,
consulting convenience, and relying upon
tradition, enervates thought and affection,
Supplies conception, paralyzes action, pre-
sents the moving shadow OF man. The
world is slow to realize how it Is cursed
with chattering, tunetul, pious. seeming imi-
tators, throngs of church-goers, rocking not
who leads or why they pace in the process.
sion slower still to note its benefactors and
saviors who take the place OF martyrs for
the sake OF thinking, and pay the price for
capability, honesty, truthiulness, and be-
nevolent sacrifice OF self for the welfare OF
opposers. 1t is easier to believe lie, rev.
erend, popular and worshiped, than to dig,
lone and untriended, for the precious truth
which inherits eternity and crowns its vota-
ries with ge.lasting glory. Protesting
against error, one man, sure OF his subject
and sure of himself, rallies round him the
advance guard OF that invincible power
whose ultimate mission is to break the
chains OF ignorance, set thought at liberty,
and rescue from Journalism and shams the
illustrious in destiny. He strives for world
mil hal at laaA wi n lima
draws to himself, though continents apart,
believers in whole, haters of the counterfeit
and false. He is the reiormer Tor whom this
poor, deceived hoodwinked world, smoth.
cred under vacant forms, buried under
mounds OF rubbish, led by the blind into
mud bitches, lost and needing guidance, is
calling aloud with all its little strength
Religion has nothing to gain when ques-
toned by an honest inquirer by assuming
that air of high disdain which arrogates to
its professors the sole right to examine and
decide. II more resembles conscious weak
ness than assured strength to dispose of diff
tlcult questions after the manner of Mr.
Podsnap, in Our Mutual Friend, who swept
away all Objectionable problems with
flourish o: his arm and the unvarying ex.
clamation, 81 don't want to know about il;
don't choose to discuss it; | don't admit
itW A calm, dignified bearing toward a
blatant scotfer, tender sympathy and prof
iered help Tor sincere skeptic, and quiet
reliance on the unassailable integrity of
what Gladstone aptly styled the lmpregna
bic Rock, were the fitting attitudes OF con
WINGED defender. There is no estimating
the harm done by ignorant preachers, who
throng the pupits, in their furious attacks
upon learned men whose research is con
All aIIinn Iiann xu htnh rihuta
to the enlightenment of the world. Going
by the sound, not the sense, the word
science" is to them very like what red
rag is to mad bull, leading TO denuncia-
ton which drives away men of extended
acquisitions and phlosophic taste, and leaves
u resduum more on par with the natural
gifts and preparation OF the speaker. The
passage which works them up to fine
frenzy is |. Tim. O 60 In which that young
minister is warned against the "oppositlons
OF science falsely SO called" They miss en-
tirely Paul's thought. The Greek is prop
erly translated not science, but knowledge,
as in all recent English versions which, II
is hoped, will help to calm the preachers
who 80 hate and dread science. Timothy
is warned to beware Of the GH0SiS, or knowl-
edge, then initial, to his experience, pro-
lessed by the Gnostics of the next century,
an esoteric system combining oriental the
ology, Greek philosophy, and Christian doc
trine. Not science, in any sense, but most
malignant heresy which, as Paul feared,
wrought havoc in the early church. See
Mosheim, and Neander, AS matter Of
fact, the most learned scientists OF the age
are devout Christians, whose science IL en-
ployed to defend and build up, not destroy,
the bul warks of New Testament religion.
The whole progress of exploration and dis
coVery is c0nfirmatory OF the substance OF
the Bible, including history, from Moses TO
Paul. On shelf before me are the works
OF Hugh Miller, one OF the greatest scientists
of modern times, one of the meekest dis
ciples OF Jesus Christ. The same hand that
wrote The Old Redsandstone, The Testi-
mony Of The Rocks, Popular Geology, &C.,
penned The Headshlp OF Christ No scholar
ly mind but must be convinced that In them
science is shown TO be the handmade of re-
ligiun, not its foe. II seems TO me that right
here would be a good place TO Introduce
qualified relormer; the most learned Of
theologians, to quench the foolish clamor
OF uneducated pulpit ranters, and check the
illusions of Jealous but misguided scrlbblers
When one is unwittingly delaming one of
his best friends IL were Christian kindness
to tell him 40.
IL was lHpOSslnc lnhL 81 DcHtnCcuI bys- |
ten as that Of the Christian religion should |
escape the opposition of the carnal nature.
Because In matters far less important, yet OF
vast utility to the race antagOnism has been |
encountered. everywhere" says Ileine,
that great soul gives utterance to its
thoughts, there also Is a dolgotha." The
crucili xion may be explained by two iacts ;
There ia no bitterer enmity than that en-
gendered by acknowledged superiority the |
great sou has no business 10 be great. |
Then, az Schiller says, against stupidity
the gods themselves are pOwerless. IL may |
be grim comfort TO some TO know that |
foremost In the ascent o! the mount Of Cal
vary have been the scientists of past times
whose discoveries have shed light and bless.
ing upon the world Yet we do not love
religion less that ecclesiastlcism was the In
quisitor and exccutioner. Bruno was burnt
alive at Rome for exposing the false phi
losophy of his time. Calico was refused
even tomb. Roger Bacon, deemed II ma
gician because he studied chemistry, died in
prison. Vesalus was a martyr TO science.
The "NOvum Organum" Of Lord Bacon ex
cited 30 much opposition as to charge II
with tendency 10 dangerous revolutions"
10 "Subvert governments" and TO "overturn
the authority Of religion" The establish
ment OF the Royal Society was opposed on
the ground that Experimental philosophy
il subversive of the Chri9tian faith Hun
Of names might be added 10 the cate
CORY of glory on the one side, on the other,
shame. Science has been, at times, bigoted
and prosecutor 80 has what passed for
religion between what is best in both there
ia mn conlict