Year: 1874




positior. And for this reason
they are considered to be the most
Issrnei men upon these subjects,
whereas there are hundreds OF tudents
OF science equally, II not better posted
than some OF these scientific skeptics,
who are firm 10 their adherence TO the
Bible. And they are not generally
known because they have not come be-
tore the world with books, arrsignisg
the Bible or bringing it into disrepute
The reason why more OF them have not
published books harnonizipg science
with revelation ia two-fold; first, unless
mau had already established 8 large
reputation, it would not be sold, and
second, for this reason, publishers are
backward in undertaking the publica-
ton OF books unless there is likely TO
be large demand. So that
there has not yet been 90
large market for deiences OF
Revelation against Science as for
Science against Revelation. Possibly
this is the great reason why some OF
our leading Scientists are so ready TO
put their publications before the public.
They find it profitable. To this there
can be 10 OBJ sction. however, so far ss
endsngeripg the foundation Of Christi
anity is concerned. The more OF such
works we have tue more triuppbaptly
will Christianity establish its hold in
the world, if it is from God, God will
not suffer his truth to be overthrown.
And the publication OF these scientific
objections 10 Revelation is not 10 be
deprecated, only as they may be the
means Of misleading many unIuspect-
lpg minds into destruction.


From the standpoint OF reason we in
vite all such criticisms, aud il, when
truth is silted out from al sides OF the
question, the Bible will not stand, then
let it tall. Then let men forsake Rev
elation and go 10 reason. But before
abandoni. z Revelation, let it be tried
BY the highest efforts OF reason. Let
no one suppose that those who adhere
to revelation do not exercIse
reason. 1t i. not just 10 either
of the parties concerned in
these questions to suppose they do not
exercise reason. Their difference arises
from their taking as q starting point a
different set OF lscts The first effort Of
reason therefore is 10 examine the facts
upon which We would build aud see il
they all be true. All facts
should be received by the person who
would judge the claims OF science and
Reve alton. Whatever is true in either
ought 10 be taken. And the fact that
there have been some things both in
science and Revelation which were
considered true at one time, but found,
on fuller investig alton, TO be untrue,
should not lead any one TO suppose
there WAS no truth in either


Neither the Bible nor science are re-
spousible Tor our false Interpretation OF
them. Reason will not be prejudiced
lL this way.


The fact that the Bible has been be-
lieved TO accord with all scientific
theories thus far, whether trueo islse,
ls rather an evidence in its favor /
men had made it, it would be contin-
uslly clashing with our scientific
theories.


All these facts must be taken in by
the man of reason before proceeding to
draw his conclusion. He must receive
wh at is firmly believed TO be true by
men OF like professions and from these
AS starting points he must draw hls
conclusion. In doing this it is readily
seen that religion Is the very place OF
all others FOR the right use Of reason.


And when men do this there is no
reason to fear the ultimate result upon
religion


The more il is examined in the light
of true and unprfjudiced reason, the
better it will establish its claims. The
real objections which christians have
against infdels is, not that they use
their reason- too freely, but that they
do not use ii enough. Persons
holding to the christian faith believe
that il tcenlifc skeptics would allow
their rrasOu to take IN all the facts 10
the case, their objections to the Bible
would cease and they would arrive at
different conclusions.


Religion demands not that men
-bou d abandon their reason, but that
they should exercise reason capable
OF weighing all the facts with sn un'
prejuilced mind But my space having
become exhausted | must reserve the
remainder OF what have TO cay ill
smother time. ASTRRoPos.