Religion and Science.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 28, 21 January 1875, Page 7

Religion and Science.

Lord Ardmillah toqlc.part in the inaugural proceedings of the aeason.of the Airdrie Young Men's ' Christian ' Association, .and In course of a. brief address referred to "the professed antagonism to .accepted Christian doctrine of certain preachers and teachers. He said :^-In the very striking and solemn period of awakening 1 and revival — truly a time of blessing — which God has sent' to many, parts of the country, one of the leading objects sought -in prayer and effort has been to. rendh' nml influence young- men. In Edinburgh and in. Glasgow, and other places,, a. special blessing has attended the movement amtmg young men, and 1 ivjoicein the increasing number and power lot" such associations as this. Be not af'niid of being- called enthusiasts. 11?. true Ur vour convictions, while modest in profession^ and be earnest in your efforts and your prayers. Seek Christ fi.-sr, and then seek all that is pure, beautiful, elevating, and refining, lovely, and of good report, for there is no sphere of duty, of study, of -effort; in vrliioh you will not be happier, as well as- bettcv T under the influence of sound and sin- . cere religion. In the midst of many tokens for good, for which we arethankful, it is,, on' the" other hand, an: evil omen of our times, when learned ' men place science. in opposition to rnli--gion, and seek to magnify knowledge and depreciate piety. I feel sure- that you will not misunderstand me, when JE warn you seriously against yielding- to such influence "or accepting such teaching from any quarter. I 'think I need., not say I appreciate and admire, arid: seek to promote mental- culture, the,.*., improvement and development of the^ human mind, among. ell classes of persons,'and in every department of knowledge. The pursuits of light, of know-. > ledge, of truth in all her forms, is of the greatest privileges .and noblest vocations of humanity. The ability soto seek is a proof if a divine origin. This pursuit should be earnest, honest, fearless, but it should also be devout and humble,- for the seeker is mortal, and liable to error and to sin : and without Divine aid and guidance he cannot hope for real advance or improving success. Jn all inquiry, modesty and reverence become us', whita earnestness and seriousness become thu subjects with which wo' deal, and the aspirations which we cherish. I haveno wish to discourage, or suppress 5 ,- or fetter inquiry ; I would welcome it. If it be honest and earnest it must beriglit. Hie discovery of truth cannot on dangerous, arid any attempt to restrain free thought and free inquiry isunworthy alike of a sound philosophy and of a sound theology. No two' truths can be incapable of free reconciliation, though our weak and erring nature may be incapable of seeing tliw hidden harmony. Cut, while fuM'y acjmitting the claims of science, and approving and admiring the progress of philosophy arid science, and the free search for truth,.. l tremble, at the aw/'uJ consequences of accepting any theory which is -essentially atheistic; No man who looks around- him asdabove him, on heaven, and earthy and sea — no man who considers hia own frame, so fearfully and wonderfully made — no man who feels the stirring* of his own mind within him, and is conscious of his moral convictions and of his heart's affections,' can adopt tha dark and hopeless theories of materialism, of self-existent, of self-created, selfsustaining matter, involving, as I think . . necessarily, the denial .0f ...a Divine Creator .and a personal God ;. and ; noman who justly appreciates' the highposition^; the grave ,-responsibilitipsj. and the eternal, destinies of humanity — certainly no Christian — will permit himself to accept any" theory tending to carry his- mind in the direction -M' atheism. Let me, however,, advise, you/ my young friends, not to . seek protec-, tion .from the snares and perils of "such presumptive theories_,in mere tradition, or in the, mere authorfty of any Church, or of any man or set of men. Authority- from whatever quarter cannot avail : your true protection must be tit your own minds atM hearts.' It must be sought in prayer from- God ; and if humbly and earnestly sought, it will be granted. That protection is to be found-^lsf, lij,your devout recognition of the paramount authority of the Word of God j. 2nd, In your own conviction of the personal preciousness of the Gospel message.; and- thirdly." and-, 1 chiefly, In your union- to Christ by a living faith. .This is your only sure ground, and I, beseech you, to beware of. quitting, it," I ' .The pow^r df cpnscieSpe,;' the reverence which -humility suggests, ' the credence which- love prompts a^id faith supplies > — these -are— graciously - giventousas guardians/ and; yxoj w|se man will disregard them. The interal. evidence of religion is too often ; lightly ' spoken of. I think — I know-r-I fee], . that it is powerful and precious, and God-giyen. r A r n honest conscience ia a safer guide than the ielf- sufficiency of & presumptuous speculation. From such philosophy as that Newton, Bacon, Paley, . Brewsteiy and—Earaday,.-, religion Jha9 Inolthirig to Ifears A'Sii^bij' philosophy as theirs does not leave usL in -despair^ but "gdttiefr^rdfif ina'turo '$ proofVl ofvlDivifiel .wisdorii and. goodness;!) ao4 cpi^firinatiqn; of Divine.truth. t /Buto - J^^^J^i^^^km if*s> ii^d both presumptuous anaperilpu?. r : r A TT v .