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

RELATIONS OF ORGANISMS. 183these secrets of nature, renders a lasting andmost valuable service to religion. Our religiousconvictions and emotions rest on awider intellectual basis according to the fulnesswith which we understand the marvelsof adaptation and contrivance which lie coveredfrom ordinary observation under the attractivesurface of nature.Altogether beyond such a general admissionas this, however, it must be obvious that inthe mass of deeply interesting material nowbefore us, there lies a considerable number oftruths needing to be gathered into generalizedform, bearing upon the laws of nature applyingto living organism. As records of detailsare extended before us, the marvels of structureare obvious. The multifarious contrivancesbecome quite startling, until we areready to lose our reckoning in the very multiplicityof facts narrated. In order to makesure of general result, we need to draw offsomewhat from details,-to be content evento lose sight of many of them,-in order togain a position, sufficiently removed for asight of general relations. I11 attempting thisit is clear that there are certain truths bearingon the preservation and development of spe-