True Science Not Hostile to Religion.
Sir David Brewster and over one hundred and fifty of the principal men of science of Great Britain, have signed a declaration of their belief in the agreement of science and revelation, which is of great significance in these days, when strenuous efforts are made to weaken confidence in the sacred Scriptures. After expressing their regret that some have perverted scientific researches into occasion for casting doubt upon the truth and authenticity of the holy Scriptures, thus making natural science an object of suspicion with many, they say, "We conceive that it is impossible for the word of God as written in the book of nature, and God's word written in holy Scripture, to contradict one another, however much they appear to differ." They refer to the fact that physical science is not at present complete, but only in a condition of progress, and "confidently believe that a time will come when the two records will be seen to agree in every particular. We believe," they add, "that it is the duty of every scientific student to investigate nature simply for the purpose of elucidating truth; and that if he finds that some of his results appear to be in contradiction to the written word, or rather to his own interpretation of it, which may be erroneous, he should not presumptuously affirm that his conclusions must be right, and the statements of Scripture wrong; rather leave the two191side by side, till it shall please God to allow us to see the manner in which they may be reconciled; and instead of insisting on the seeming differences between science and the Scriptures, it would be as well to rest in faith upon the points in which they agree."