SCIENCE AND RELIGION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 149, 24 June 1881, Page 1

SCIENCE AND RELIGION.

A few years ago the attack made upon Religion by some men of science led to the foundation of- a Society tb investigate all Philosophical or Scientific questions, more especially those said to loilitate against the Truths of Revelation, and to publish the results to its members in a quarterly journal ; this Society, which was called the Victoria Institute, or Philosophical Society of Great Britain, has now a house at 7, Adelphi Terrace, London, and boasts of 900 members, each paying a smal annual subscription, amongst whom are many leading men of science. Tbe Archbishop of Canterbury, and several English, Colonial, and American Prelates have also joined it. Having been founded under Lord Shaftesbury's auspices, his Lordship takes muoh 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 small dark room. I had no conception at that time of the work which the Society, would do,, and of the position, which it would hold, not only at home, but also,, as it is now beginning to do, in America and our Colonies. I had no expectation whatever of seeing the Society assume such magnificent proportions, and from the bottom of my heart J thanki Almighty God that he-has so prospered! our efforts (cheers). The- object for| which onr Bodiety was formed was,; not merely to beat down the views ot' others, not to be antagonistic to the progress iof Science, but tb do all; that we could do for the developemenfc of Truth, and if I may use the phrase, to give Eeligion 'fair play.? This Society was not founded to establish either one opinion or another. It was not started for the purpose oi setting up the Bible against Science. The object of the Society was, that Science should have fair play, that the Truth should be told on all sides, and that we might get rid of the despotism of certain scientific men (hear, hear). Because it is perfectly well anown that men of science, with all their sublime and mighty notions, are as despotic as the weakest of the human race, and they are exercising their despotic sway to a remarkable extent over a very large number of rising young mcD, who are either fascinated by what they have read and discovered, or are crushed by the authority of a few great names, It was in order, as I have said, that Science should have fair play that this Institute was established, and the blessirg of God has so rested upon it that it has at last taken a hold on public estimation."