American Bible Science Association
By B. E. Crawford
An organization known as the American Bible Science Association has recently been formed at Emmanuel Missionary College, the objects of which, as stated in the constitution, are “the study of scientific truth in its relation to the Bible, taking the latter as the basis or standard of authority, and the dissemination of this truth through the press and otherwise.” At the first regular meeting of the association the president, B. E. Crawford, spoke briefly with reference to the mission of the American Bible Science Association. Among other things, he said:— “The organization, of which this is the first regular meeting, is unique in character, and a most important addition to the instrumentalities which are being used for the advancement of truth. “There probably never was a time when science absorbed more of the world’s attention than it does to-day. During recent years great light has been shed upon the world in both science and art. Rapid progress has been made in every department of research. Many important and wonderful facts have been discovered, and placed in printed form before the people. The mysteries of plant and animal life, the composition and structure of soils and rocks, the phenomena of chemistry and physics, the character and movements of the heavenly bodies, and the nature, causes, prevention, and treatment of disease have all had their votaries who have been lifelong students of their chosen subjects. “With all this earnest search, the truth has come to us mixed with error. This has been due largely to the fact that the Word of God has not been received as the highest authority on every subject with reference to which it speaks. Many of the facts of science are of such a nature that with careful study they can not be mistaken, but these facts have too often been placed together in such a way as to give wrong ideas and erroneous views of the Creator’s wonderful works. “It was God’s design that the flood of light shining upon the world at the present time should establish faith in the Bible record; but this light, which was given to be a blessing, men have turned into a curse to themselves by rejecting the plain statements of the Scriptures, and interpreting natural phenomena according to a system of their own devising. “Almost the entire world has accepted the fables of infidelity, though there are here and there bright lights shining steadily through the midnight darkness to guide the anxious, weary traveler on his homeward journey. These lights must be increased in number and brilliancy. Where there is now one, there should be many. It is for this purpose that this organization was formed. That is why we meet together here to study various scientific subjects in the light of the Word of God. “Before we can give the truth to others, we must know it for ourselves. We have therefore arranged to meet once each month for the careful and prayerful study of one or more subjects. After a thorough consideration and a free discussion of the thoughts presented by the one who has been chosen to lead out in the study, the paper should be written up in good form, and placed before the public through the medium of some suitable publication. Later these papers may be made the basis of text-books on science, or for publication by the association. “Some arrangements should be made for placing the truth before the children, not only those of our own denomination, but the children of the world at large. The greater number of the nature study books used in the public schools are ingeniously devised fables that lead the mind into skepticism and infidelity. The children and the youth are reading these books with no knowledge of the poison they contain, which is slowly but surely doing its work. In many cases the poisoning process is continued until antidotes are powerless to cure. The old adage, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ is true here as elsewhere.” Following the president’s address, a paper was read by Frank Wright on “The Creation of Plants.” An interesting discussion followed, and the paper was then referred to the executive committee and the writer of the paper, for thorough revision preparatory to publication.