The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-18

NJ the three: Matter, Force and Coo.
A+beisn may be regarded as obsolete the
nearest approach to that DeleL lnal -
nov entertained by any student or see
go &c pantheism. which Is certainly
cntitIad 10 he considered a school oil the
ologv. for while ignoring the Chrisllah
conception OF "persOnai Coo inc pan
theist still maintains the existence Oh
God.
The truth OF the business Is Just this
matter force and God are terms ti-at
- 20 denote three necessary con-
eon+s of the human mind. The impress
sions made upon our senses we neces-
sarflv attribute 10 qualities inherent II.
soroe substance external TO the mind, ana
this substance we call Matter. Inc
changes that Matter goes through we
necessarily attribute 10 causauons anu 10
he causes we give the generic name
Force. We cannot conceive OF ioIce ~,
Grating without VIII: this VIII We e"'l
God. .,.t. ,,-,ii
we see the manifestations Of this WIZ
l.. 'notrra that IS. I'm the operation OF
tnrces unon Matter. The interpretations
which we nut upon these divine mahfes
items IN nature. combined with the IN
ternretations which we put upon dlNlhe
reveIations OF all other kinds. constitute
The science OF theology. III our lHleIPto-
,ations are false, then We nave iaiae
science Of theology. Just go, II we give
false Interpretation Of the piahe'ary NJ III
lions as Ptolemy did, We have i"ise
science OF astronomy. nj. ..t.,,
No scientific truth can CONNECT Win
any, ether scientific truth. The only query
is the eternal question, What Is ttu1H
We NAV have have an incorrect theory
FOR exDlaining the operation or some
nsrticuiar force In nature; but THIS does
oof disnrove the existence OF the force,
here n still is waiting for some SUISSE
oment inouirer 10 furnish the correct So
nffion of the problem. SO likewise many
ignorant Christians, and perhaps soune
learned ones. may have false conceptions
Of God; but this, while vibrating lher l"e
oioav. does not destroy the science OF
tbeoioev or make that science when
,roncriv formulated. antaeonistic TO
nose other formulated truths which we
call science" =.
AS In the progress OF mankind the 90
main OF knowledge becomes enlarged, IL
IS frequently necessary 70 view oli
truths in a new perspective 10 rccas'
opinions so as 10 make them harmon,
ize with new acquisitions or truth ana
this takes place, not In theory aiohe' Du'
in other sciences as wei
Indeed. all our views OF truth Or every
Lind must be regarded as merely pro-
ylsional: what is truth to this generation
nav not be truth to the next That is
true which we believe. No other dehnit-
ion Of truth is possible TO mite ana Ial-
Hble man.
TIRE FIRST chapter OF Genesis is true 10
those who believe A. The doctrine OF
evolution Is true TO those who believe u.
To some apprehensions-to the present
writer for instance, and TO many otheis
-Genesis and evlutioniare both true.
ar seems really absurd 20 talk about
ooneict between science and religion. The
Fact Is that there IS a conflict between
the personr beliefs Of certain scieAtihc
men and the personal beliefs OF some re-
uoious men. But this is only saying that
we cannot expect all men 70 agree IN
their opinions on all subjects quot no
mines tot sententiae." is an aphorism
familiar TO every school boy.
We know that there is IN the human
mind a craving after the possession OF
what may be known infallibly as the
truth. But this craving is destined 10 re-
main forever unsatished In this world
I'm science, as IN religion, we walk by
faith and not by sight or az best We
| only "see as In a glass darby OUTSIDE
| OF facts OF personal observation ana con
| sclousness, including certain intuitive be
liefs common 10 All men an" piNPos.
lions that are established Dy mathemat
| cal demonstration. there are no state
ments OF opinion that may not. with more
or less show of reason, be contradicted.
The thinker who would invest his per
sonal beliefs with the authoritative sane
ton OF an infall!bIe creed Is bigot. Z
| matters not what the subject OF contro
versy may be. When religious bod,
| silences one OF It's ministers for teachinl
| evolution, many OF us feel inclined Z
| cali out "higotty" But if scientist
would not have the same charge retorte'
| upon them. they must be careful no
| TO write such sentences as that VIII
Uhiah prafAssar Oscar Schmidt closes nj