DESIGN OF CREATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 395, 2 July 1928, Page 14

DESIGN OF CREATION

SCIENCE THE FRIEND OF FAITH EVIDENCE OF GOD’S LAW Nation after nation, race after race had paid by extinction for its lack of idealism, its gross materialism, said the Rev. A. Thornhill in his wireless address yesterday. Knowing this he was thankful for the restlessness he saw on every side, and still more thankful because brave souls were fighting and working to make a better world. One of the most important ways of helping the forward march of humanity was by striving to reconcile science and religion. • The head and the heart of civilisation were torn asunder.” For sixty years there had been distinct antagonism between outstanding champions of religion and outstanding exponents of science. It was time a truce was called. There was urgent need for the closest co-operation between all the forces that would advance civilisation. Science could be diabolical or divine according to whether it was guided by philanthropic idealism, or controlled for selfish ends. How much better it would he if the zeal and idealism of religion could direct and consecrate the practical operations of sicence and invention for the well-being of mankind' Nothing that penetrated so deeply as science does into the laws and methods of the Creator could be essentially irreligious. As Sir Oliver Lodge declared. "The seen and the sensed are only dim and imperfect representatives of Reality. They depend for their interpretation upon the light within.” While many theories were being questioned some results are certain. First, science had enlarged the universe beyond all previous conception; next, it had revealed law and order in the solar system and the farthest star—constant flux and activity. If anyone were able to contemplate the universe in all its

interlocked beauty and variety and conclude that nothing higher than mankind exists, the preacher did not envy him his common sense. The universe was shoutingly full of design, plan, intention, purpose, reason—\yhat liad been called “Logos.” The enlightened soul could see in the finding of science the revelations of a divine wisdom. Faith did not depend upon mystery. Mystery often baffled—it could not strengthen—faith. The more man knew of the inner workings of the mind, of the intricacy and beauty of the atom and the electron; the more man grasped the laws and the structure of the universe, the more would faith be confined in the wisdom, the love, and the majesty of God. The preacher quoted great scientists like Geddes and Thomson and Professor Papin, as well as the great philosopher, Bargson, to show that great minds see evidence of a creative purpose and co-ordinating power in Nature. So love was the supreme coordinating power in the spirtual Avorld. The same God formulated both the laws of Nature and the law of love, and these laws were no more antagonistic than science and faith were antagonistic. The law without and the love within brought man face to face with God. The service was highly impressive. Solos by Mrs. Uren and Miss Evaline Ivory, and an anthem, “The Radiant Moon,” by the choir, greatly enriched it on the musical side. Next Sunday evening the Rev. William Jellie will preach #n Mr. Thornhill’s absence, his subject being the play, “Outward Bound,” which is being presented during this week by the Little Theatre Society.