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

242 SCIENCE AND EELIGION.have found, an explanation of the functionsof human life, as it can profess to have done inthe case of lower orders. There could, therefore,be no more mistaken representation ofthe pending conflict than the allegation thatit is a conflict of knowledge with ignorance.To put it in the best light for science, it isthe conflict of one kind of knowledge withanother; but there is a nearer approach toaccuracy if we say that the conflict is occasionedby the want of veriJSRd conclusions withinthe boundaries of science itself, in contrastwith very definite conclusions belonging tomen generally, and verified by practical testswhich scientific men can not refuse. It is notessential to the point, but may be of consequencein view of the range of applicationbelonging to this inquiry, to remark thatreligious thought is not itself directly involvedhere; nevertheless, religious thoughtis deeply concerned in the issue of theconflict.Having thus briefly indicated the occasionof the conflict, and the contending forces, itis desirable to find the standpoint of science.The nature and origin of life having beenpassed as problems for which no solutio~i has