THE WARFARE OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION.

Kumara Times, Issue 1033, 23 January 1880, Page 2

THE WARFARE OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION.

PUBLIC LECTURE. In accordance with announcement the Rev. Mr Elmslie M.A., of Christchmch, delivered a lecture at the Presbyterian Church last evening, on " The warfare of Science and Religion." There was a moderately good attendance taking iuto consideration the inclemency of the weather. The chair was taken' by the Rev. W. West, and the proceedings were opened by the singing of a hymn by the choir, and a prayer. The Rev. Mr Elmslie in introducing his remarks, stated that, though far from congenial to his taste, the subject of his lecture was one that required most careful dissective argument, and on these grounds he claimed the indulgence of his hearers in reading his manuscript copy. After treating his audience to a most elaborately-worded excrdinm he referred to the harmony which should but did not exist, between science and religion. Taking, then, for the base of his lecture what science had suffered at the hands of the Church, and what religion had suffered at the hands of science, the reverend gentle men proceeded to quote numerous and well-known authorities in support of the first proposition advanced. Referring to geography,, he pointed Out that the idea of Comus that the earth was a,, vast plain held good fon. nearly 200 years, and that he believed, /there, .was a man in Chriatchurch, who still held the: same opinion. Tracing scientific researches further, he alluded to Columbus's discovery of America, which went far to prove the earth's rotundity, and this was further corroborated by the voyages of Magellan, the whole question being decided in favor of science, after a battle of 1200 years between the church and those engaged in these scientific explorations and discoveries. The reverend gentleman next referred to the strong opposition Copernicus and Galileo met with in demonstrating to the world for the first time that the Sun, not the Earth, was the centre of our planetary system—the former astronomer nearly suffering martyrdom in consequence of his new and bold assertion ; one unmistakeable proof of the correctness of the Coper-; nican theory being thac the planet< ; Venus would in such.case exhibit the' same phases as the moon—which Galileo first aunouueed it really did, and which is now a fact established beyond all doubt. As evidence of the persecution that science suffered, he instanced the case of Roger Bacon, whose wonderful scientific discoveries were recognised by the church as acts performed by one in league with the devil, and termed " the black art," the unfortunate discoverer receiving 14 years' imprisonment as a reward for his-labors. Science, said the Rev. lecturer, ."holds a' prominent place in the church to which I have the honor to belong, and the age we now live in is the age of science." Speaking, however, On the other hand, Mr Elmslie pointed out that the opinions expressed by Huxley, Tindall, Darwin and other celebrated scientific men were at variance with religion, inasmuch as they advanced arguments in which they had to introduce the supernatural to advance their theory. After a very iustrsctive leeture of over an hour, the reverend gentleman sat down amidst the applause of the audience. On the motion of Mr Drummond, a vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr Elmslie for his kindness in delivering the lecture, followed by a hymn from the choir, terminated the meeting.