The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-07

o. sermons last night upon the testimony
of the great leaders an6 thinkers OF the
world to the potency OF Christianity.
This sermon dealt with the scientific
thinkers Of the world and is interesting
for the reason that infdels and the fol-
levers OF such men as Spencer, Darwin,
Huxley ana others make the boast that
the leading scientists Of the world are
skeptics.
The sermon was as follows;
Christianity Among the Students of Ma
ture or the Scientific Thinkers of the
World.
Text; When they saw the star they re-
ioiced with exceeding great Joy Matt
H. 10.
The ages in which the Bible came to
this world, like our own, were inquirlns
and critical ages. The students OF side
real wonders made diligent search into the
strange phenomenon that flashed IT'S glory
in the heavens When they saw the star
they rejo', ed with exceeding great Joy
Ny text is descriptive OF the experience
of the astrologers of the East, call the
Matt in their search for the world 70
deemer-the King pointed out by the
stellar reinforcements OF glorified nature
/ would have you mark the fact that II
was the profound and learned men of the
world who came to Christ They we're the
most splendid and magnificent men of the
century. They knew all that was then
known. They were called 1.-The wise men
OF the East" they were far wiser than
you have supposed. They spent their lives
in studying the stars, and two thousand
five hundred years before Christ was born
they studied the process of the equinox
,alo al gHa rNrhf %
comets. Some one has suggested that
after the world has progressed in study
hundreds of years it may be getting up 10
the point where the ancients began 70
forget You get the important thought
-fhat il is possible that these were very
wise men. not among the wisest men OF
the age. but the three wisest of all the
centuries, And so you have the fact that
most impresses me- thai at Bethlehem the
scientific learn of the world bowed at
the feet of Jesus and acknowledged him ~
Lord and King. It was fact full OF pro-
phecy to be fulfilled in the succeeding
ages, for since that day the real and true
science OF the world has SEEN in every
step of its progress God In the universe
and Christ in exalted human life as a
potent Savior We must not forget that
we are living In an age of research and dis
covery surprising the achievements of
former times These closing years of toe
present century are marked in the history
Of the world for their unexampled discov-
cries and startling events. No other equal
period OF history has been so fraught with
marvellous scientific research and surpass-
ing inventions since the dawn of civiliza-
ton. These magnificent strides OF man
mastery over nature, unfolding the re-
condite resources of the universe, this
progressive march of intellect indicate
that man is fulfilling his mission and thai
= II. III a.. .faNe- -.
glorious possibilities and triun.phs Ba
let us inquire. first who are the leaders IN
scientific thought and research The
boastful claim of inhdelity Is that the
leading scientists are sleptics." II rs
only fair to say that skepticism contains
some able scientists. but neither the NUM-
Der or greatness of these men is a 1.-THE
of what they claim. They claim Mr.. Oar
win. But what difference does II make
II he was rejected membership in the
French Academy of Sciences by vote oi
~ to as an unscentinc man, as man
who reached conclusions without the nec-
essary facts? And quite as strange as any
thing else is that so soon afterward he war
immortalized ms the sum of all knowl-
edge Has not Huxley proved himself
unsafe in his conclusions, though he lays
pretentious claims to scientific lore. in
attempting to account for a universe with
out God and for life in the mot living
Is not Dr. Tyndal, who stands as one o.
the most popular exnonents OF scientific
knowledge all at sea when he reaches
the conviction that the problem of prob
lens OF our day is to find a Legitimate
satisfaction for the religious emotions
which he admits to be inexpugnable fact
of human nature. He repels with groa
feeling the imputation of Atheism, and
says In his fragment of science, II hav
noticed that 1t is not In hours of clearnes
and vigor that this doctrine comments
itself to my mind, and that its presenc
of stronger and healthier thoughts 1t eve
disappears as offering no solution OF tn
mystery In which we dwell and of whicl
we form a part"
skeptical scientists like Spencer ar,
forced to acknowledge the personality ant
creative agency of God. He says: 9TH
first cause OF the universe includes within
itself all power and transcends all law.
This makes God the creator and controlle
OF the universe. But where are the grea
hosts OF scientific thinkers? Certainl,
they are not skeptics. but are on the sid
OF faith Newton. Calico, Farady. Agas
siz. Keplar Gray. TAFT Drummond and
vast array OF others whose names tim
fails me to mention. but whose luster ca
never be dimmed in history, were al
devout believers in Christianity. So no
tably is this true that NJ. Renan espresso
his despair of help from modern scienc
In discrediting Christianity" Second
What Is the weight Of testimony concern
ing the divine revelation. the potency q
Christianity and Christ as a preciou
Saviour? Sir Isaac Newton. standing 4
the light Of nature, but with greater al
miration before an open Bible. has lei
this testimony as his tribute to the sub
Unity OF the Scriptures: I'VE accoun
the Scriptures Of God to be the most sub
lime philosophy Michael Farady. It
well known. was one OF the greatest q
modern scientists, H. ought also to b
widely known that he was deyout Chris
tian. Prof Tyndall once dined wit
Farady. and on that occasion Farad
''said grace" Tyndal wrote this account
II am almost ashamed to call his praye
saying OF grace. In the language Z
Scripture, It might be described as tn
petition OF 3 son into whose heart Go
had sent the Spirit OF His Son. and VIII,
with absolute trust. asked blessin
from His Father. He was bright an
joyful. bpylike in fact. though he is no.
81. His work excltes my admiration, bu
contact With him warns my heart Her
surely IL q strong man. ! love strength
: but lei me not forget the example Of Il
union with modesty, tenderness and sweet
ness IN the character OF Farady." 81
Z John Herschei. the philosopher and astron
cmer Whose heaven-piercing eye saw tn
divinity ID revolving worlds. left his ties
6f>anaSr In fbaxa ~ivniHcan usordr. GA