The San Francisco call., 1899-09-01
FATHER O'RYAN
LECTURED FOR
4 GOOD CAUSE.
Children's Day Homes
Are Benefited.

Rev. Philip organ spiritual director of
the League of the Cross Cadets. and one
of the most popular priests of the diocese.
delivered lecture on The Church and
Modern Science before large audience
in St Mary's Cathedral last night for the
benefit Of the Children's day homes In
part he said:
The age in which We live is pre-eminently an
age OF science. The successful study Of phys
ical or as il is known modern science has
been the distinguishing characteristic Of the
nineteenth century. Modern science Is not
merely an intellectual diversion, uCt Il is es
sentiaIy practical in its aim and object In
fact il has been one of the greatest factors
in modern progress ana one Of the most potent
elements in the development OF modern indus
try, manufacture and commerce. The arts that
minister 10 mans needs ana comforts. that pro-
mote his physical welfare and raise the stand
ard OF civilization nave sprung up ana pros
pered in the atmosphere Of science. Science
has been the magician : wand whose touch has
conjured up the magnificent fabric Of modern
civilization.
In former years mans knowledge of the world
of nature, its forces and laws, was scant and
indefinite He knew nothing Of the hidden
mowers of steam and electricity which have
rendered such noble services in the cause of
progress He was harassed on all sides by
invisible enemies by disease germs, by MAS
matte air, and in his ignorance he fell victim
to them. His ideas OF the beautiful world OF
creation crude and incorrect. His ears
We're deaf 10 the wonderful music OF the spheres
and his eyes were closed to the vision sublime
OF the universe. The lightning. he believed,
came directly from the powers of the air; the
earthquakes he regarded a mark Of God 5
wrath; comets were missiles hurled at a wicked
world
With our ampler knowledge We may be in
clined 10 laugh at these crude notions, but we
shall not forget that it is not 50 many cen
turies ago since ancestors discovered that
the earth we live upon is a sphere and that 1t
revCIves around the sun. Nature was an IN
explored land. Now and again some daring
pioneer penetrated the outskirts and brought
back messages more wonderful than did Colum-
bus from the new world Copernicus, with
a vision of seer, got glance of the solar sys-
TEN. Outlined for the theory Of modern as
tronony and gave a faint idea OF the gran
deur and immensity of the universe. a New
ton unraveled the mystery Of Sray1ta ton dis
covered the laws OF falling bodies and explain
ed how men could live at the Antfpodes. Those,
however were before the faint voices in the
wilderness: this light was but the dawning OF
the ampler day 10 come.
1t was reserved for our own century 70 force
nature 10 reveal its secrets; to remove the veil
which hid from US its fair face. With the in
PRODUCTION of new methods and the aid OF deli
cate machinery. close observation and scientific
experiments were rendered possible. Observa-
tion and experiment are the essential requisites
in the study OF science. We must observe ma
ture and its workings closely as possible.
We must observe it under all possible ctrcum-
stances and conditions in order that our vel
fare may be promoted.