The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

LIFE AND ITS DEVELOPMENT. 125all the advantages arising from microscopicalobservation, is altogether unable to oEer anyexplanation. Experiments for the purposeof testing the probability of "spontaneousgeneration" have been already described, andtheir failure leaves experimental science withoutany direct test.imony; while their historyyields powerful indirect evidence in supportof the position that origin of life apart fromgerm is unknown.It is, however, desirable here, in order togive completeness to our view of the presentsituation, to remark that among scientific menthere are some who have no expectation of ascientific explanation of the origin of life;while others are exceedingly hopeful thatsuch explanation may be reached, in the latterclass appearing naturally all those whoopenly proclaim against what they name an" incomprehensible act of creation," and voluntarilyplace themselves in antagonism toreligious thought. It is, therefore, of someconsequence to indicate the grounds on whichsuch opposite views rest. On the one side,Professor Tait, while suggesting the possibilityof yet discovering the physical principles whichdetermine life, nevertheless adds, "Let no one