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

306 SCIENCE AND RELIGION.determining value for interpretation of thepossible influence of prayer as concerning alife subject at once to physical and moral conditions.Prayer can be exercised in accordancewith scientific teaching, only by intelligentrecognition of the physical conditions oflife ; in accordance with philosophy, only byintelligent acknowledgment of the subordinationof physical life to moral. If then, weturn to the teaching of science, making accountof all that it includes as to fixed lawsapplicable to ever-varying conditions, there isnothing in it to warrant the conc~usion thatthere can be no interposition from a highersphere in order to secure application of physicallaw for attainment of moral ends. Thewhole product of scientific investigation leavesclear the possibility of the administration of amoral government in accordance with subordinationof physical law to the attainment ofits higher ends. It does not help the understandingof the government of the world, butrather hampers our reflection, if it be suggestedthat there are two spheres, physical andmoral, and that the application of prayer isrestricted to one of these spheres. Humanlife can not be so severed into parts; it is