The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-04-20
THE APOsTAsY OF SCIENCE

h~SS W. SN~ ~~~''~'"~
Science ManuaIs-True Science and
Religion.
written for The Catholic Bulletin by
Rev. G. Pierse, D. D., of St. Paul
Seminary
Science has added considerably
to the sum of human happiness. 1t
has spread before man the superior
riches of the mind. Honor is due
to the scientists who have continued
the grand work of the pioneers of
intellect. Genuine scientists desire
the truth This strong devotion to
truth, so characteristic of the modern
age in spite of all it's faults, presents
a ray of hope, for it is the unconscious
cropping of science after the God who
is Truth itself To admit ones ig-
norance, to go no further than ones
premises warrants, to avoid one-sided
views in regard to persons, facts, or
institutions, is now regarded as the
hallmark of honest investigation. Pro
testants are beginning to give credit
to the estimable characteristics of
Catholicism, and Catholics are able
to recognize the life-giving quality
of the fragmentary Catholic truths
happily retained by Professionalism.
Thus the modern historian is more
impartial and consequently more truth
loving than his predecessor of ancient
times.
So-called Modern Science.
But in proportion to our love for
true science and our reverence for
genuine scientists will be our hatred
of the counterfeit specimens of So
called modern science" This mod
ern science which has been severely
characterized in the title of this essay
is science in the sense given it by Sir
Oliver Lodge, himself a scientist:
Science represents no fetish to be
blindly worshipped as absolute truth,
but merely the present state of hui
man knowledge on subjects within its
grasp, together with the practical con-
sequences deducible from such knowl-
edge in the opinion of the average
scientific man." Lest it may be thought
that / exaggerate the evil tendencies
of modern science, l shall cite one
other passage in which the same
well-known authority admirably sums
up the conclusions of modern science,
though he, like many eminent and re-
ligious scientists, does not agree with
them himself. Orthodox modern sci
ence shows us self-contained and
self-suficient universe, not in touch
with anything beyond or above itself,
the general trend and outline of it
known;-nothing supernatural or mi
raculous, no Intervention of beings
other than ourselves, being conceived
possible"
We may believe what scientists
demonstrate, but we need not believe
what they assert. For they assert
and prove not. Science is the produc-
tion of evidence; it is demonstration;
it is knowing. A characteristic of
modern science is it's tremendous
the existence of God or asserts that
We can know nothing of Him. 1t
denies the existence of the supernat-
ural. Believe this, if science achieves
the impossible and proves it. Is there
evidence for the assertion that God
does not exist or that we can know
nothing of God? Such assertions are
not science; this is not knowing. If
science knows nothing about the
existence of God, the existence of
God cannot be denied in the name of
Science.
Rationaiistic Press Association.
Religion is attacked not only by the
scientists themselves but by the num-
erous popularizers of science. The
case is pathetic enough with the rec
ognized leaders. But if such unset
entific statements are made by the
captains, what will it be when we
read the assertions of the lieutenants?
The nationalist Press Association has
.endeavoured to popularize the results
Of modern science. 1t has scattered
to the four winds its negations, un.
proved assertions, and it's luxuriani
collection of doubts concerning the
most sacred doctrines. Where the
lions of science have proceeded eau.
tiously, the jackals of rationalistic lit
erature advance boldly, even rashly
They dogmatically asseverate certain
assumptions without the shadow OF
proof The name of science is on the
covers of their manuals: within are
suppositions and conjectures and the
other insignia of nescience. In this
consist the double-dealing and hypoc
risy of the nationalist Press.
1t were small matter if these com
pliers refused to enter Heaven them
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