THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY, K.G. ON SCIENCE AND RELIGION.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1391, 2 June 1881, Page 3

THE E A RL OF SHAFTESBURY, K.G. ON SCIENCE AND RELIGION.

A nvw 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, moie especially those said to militate against the Tiutha of Revelation, and to publish the result to its members in a quarterly journal; this Society, which •was called the Victoiia Institute, or Philosophical Society of Great Britain, hasnowahou.se at 7, Adelphi Teriace, London, and boasts of 1)00 members, each paying a small annual .subsciiption, amongst -whom are many leading meu of science. The Archbishop of Canterbury, and seveial Eughsh, Colonial, and American Prelates have also joined it. Having been founded under Lord Shaftesbury's auspices, his Lordship takes much interest in its progress, -which he recently described as follows :—": — " I was present at the very birth of this Society, -\\ hen 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 I thank Almighty God that he has so prospered our efforts (cheers). The object with which this Society was formed was, not merely to be antangostic to the progress of Science, but to do all that we could do for the developement of Truth, and, if I may use the phrase, to give Religion ' fair play.' This Society was not founded to establish either one opinion or another. It was not started for the purpose of getting 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 Bides, and that we might get rid of the despotism of certain iicientific men (hear, hear). Because it is perfectly well-known that roen of science, with all their sublime and mighty notions, are as despotic as the weakest of the human raos, and they are exercising their despotic sway to a remarkable extent over a very large number of iising young men, who are . either fascinated by what they have read and disqpTfflc^il or are crusQe d by the authority,*)! a few great names. It was in order, ik" f" Have said, that Science should have fair play that tlm Institute ■was established, and the blessing of God has bo rented upon it that it has at last ' taken a hold in public estimation."

>. Among the Russians the father and mother of an infant not only cannot stand ius's^dn«ors to it, but they are not allowed •to be present »t its baptism". The god'fetiirir and godmother, by answering for the child, became related to it and to each other, ftpd a lady, and ( gentLomau who have stood as 'sponsors to the same ohild are not allowed to marry each other.