THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY K. G. ON SCIENCE AND RELOGION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 82, 14 June 1881, Page 4

THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY K. G. ON SCIENCE AND RELOGION.

A few years ago the attacks made upon Religion by some men of science led to the foundation of a Society to investigate all Philosophical or Scientific questions; rnVrd especiall} those said to militftte.agajnst the Truths of Revelation, and to publish the results to its: members in *; quarterly journal ; this Society, which was called the Victoria Instituted ©rPhiloßopnigal Society of Great Britain, has now a house at 7, Adelphi Terrace,' London, and boasts of 900 members, each paying a small annual subscription, amtogst whom are many leading men of science. The Archbishop of Canterbury,. and several. English, Colo,, nial, and American Prelates, have also joined it. Having been founded under Lord Shaftesbury's auspices, his Lordship takes niuch interest in its progress, which he recently described as follows :— " I was present at the very birth of this society, when an address was delivered^ in a mnall dark room. I had no obhcepihon af that time of the work which'tfie Society would do, and of the poaition 'which it' "w,ould hold, not only at home, but also; as it is now beginning tp do, ip America *nd our Colonies. I had no expectation whatever of seeing the Society assume such magnificent proportions, and from the bottom of my heart I thank tiie Almighty.' God thai, he has so prospered} our effqrbs (cheers). The object.: with which tips , ; Society *ra» formed watf,' not; merely to Mat down the views of others, not to be antagonistic to the progress 1 of Science^! but jto' do all that we could doifor the development ot-Truth, and, if I .mas? uM;the, .pVase, ?to gife' Religion • fair ; pUy.' ; .Thii 'Sodietyfraß nicrt founded to 'eitaolisli either 2 6ii& opinion <>ranother. It was not Blarted for.the purr ftbe object jof, tta Sqoifty ww^thf t^ciepc^ should have fay* play, thjit tne^.Truth^ should be "tolii Wall sidefl/ and that w» might get iid^ the 1 despottßm.el; certain scientific rfen^haariifieir)., .Bectrue^ i»< perfectly well knoyn that men x£ i scw^of, with all thins snblimfl ,4nd inightyi notionsj are as despoiio as tae wewceßtfof wifl numin race, and they are exercising their despotic away to a remarkanaOixU^ ovir a very luge number.^fiiipgyfcuM.m]en, who are either faaojj^^^itteF have wad and discovered 1 , or ate Tsrushea by the authority oi a few great names. It was in order, as I have said, thrft> /Science sfirald have fair play th&t&fe t lished, and~4he- blessing of Gtoa has So rested upon it that it haa.'it>l*Si'iiken a hold in public estimation." TTTAnirriT.TT ftMV) v,