The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-07
NATURE AND THE BIBLE.
An Abstract of Joseph Syvain's Lecture
NJ the Y. NJ. G. A.

at the Y. VI. C. A.
President Joseph Swain, of the State Uni
versity. lectured at the Y. NJ. c. A. yester-
day afternoon to large audience on "A
View of Nature and the Bible" He was
introduced by Secretary of State owens,
and spoke in part as follows:
1--WE may seek help and knowledge from
every possible source with the perfect as
surance that no fact, if seen from the right
point of view, will weaken any essential
part of our religious faith. The God Of oar
childhood is very different from the Cod OF
our maturity. While Christ himself may
remain unchanged through the ages, our
conception of him is a matter of growth.
If we grow ia the right direction our con-
ception becomes nobler and more exalted.
Our religious convictions may be changed.
Some of them we may find are nonessentIal,
but the essential grow in strength ana
beauty.
The conceptions of right and wrong as
presented in the Old Testament and the
New are very different The beautiful and
simple teachings of Christ are intended for
much higher civilization than those OF the
mosaic dispensation. In the light of mod
ern science the first chapter of Genesis mas
little Importance in telling us how the world
was made. The hills, the rivers, the rocks,
the earth itself, gives us records Just as
sacred and reliable, for they contain the
records of the laws of God. The impor-
lance of the first chapter of Genesis is not
to be measured by the information that the
world was Il creation, but the declaration
that in the beginning God, ETC.. We can
syllogism derived from a study of nature,
but when once the idea takes hold of the
mind, whether it comes as an original IN
tuition, Il revelation or like the Nebuiar
hypothesis, as the best explanation of the
laws and facts of the universe, everything
in nature is a witness to its truth a Gre
alton implies n creator
Our biblical knowledge only becomes q
live one when vivified and strengthened by
g knowledge of the universe of matter and
forces and life.
ION the other side no study is an end in
itself. All our study is unavailing If it does
not in some way lead us into higher and
better life. knowledge is mere chaff If 1t
does not in some way help us TO know our
selves, our duty to our fellows, and to re-
we're the highest things in the world of life
and the universe of God. 1t is worth while
TO know anything that is true, but it is
much better to learn through a study of the
things that are true a love of truth. We
should choose those studies and pursuits in
life, all things considered, which are best
fitted TO bring us TO a realization of our
intellectual and spiritual powers. l like TO
think OF this person or that person follow
ing this pursuit or that, because in it he or
she realizes his or her better self. If We
nave really FOUND our right line or work
and given it's facts sufficient consideration
surely we will find that in it which will
make us humble. truth-loving, considerate.
generous. devoted, reverent. Certainly that
one has studied in vain who sees nothing
more in the study of language than par
ticies and roots; nothing IN geolosy put
stones; nothing III botany but leaves; MOTH
ing in history but dates and facts; nothing
in mathematics but tables and formulate.
1T seems to me that that person has
missed his calling who does not see that i'll
his calling, who does not that in his
everyday work which strengthens u ra-
tional religious faith. Whether eat or
drink we should not only do ii to the glory
of God, but all our work should lead us to
see the greatness and goodness of God.
Every field Of human experience and
knowledge offers the receptive and reverent
mind comfort and help. If our hearts are
right and our minds ready to receive the
ftetfla hal find in mi
brooks, sermons in stones and good in ev-
erything.'