Article November 6, 1902 Issue

Science and Christianity

C. Fred Hackett

Utica (N. Y.) Tribune

"No more striking manifestation of the interposition of divine Providence in human affairs has come in recent years than that shown in the rising up of the body of people known as Christian Scientists, who are called to declare the real harmony between religion and science, and to restore the waning faith of many in the verities of the sacred Scriptures."

These words, destined to become historic, were uttered by the Hon. Charles Carrol Bonney, president of the World's Congress 'Auxiliary, during the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago. It would be difficult to give in a few words a better statement of the mission of Christian Science. While there has seemingly been a great gulf between science and religion, it is nevertheless true that the greatest discoveries of science have been made in the most advanced Christian countries and by men of high Christian ideals. Bonaparte, a skeptic, said: "Since ever the history of Christianity was written, the loftiest intellects have had a practical faith in God;" and Kepler, one of the chief founders of modern astronomy, speaking of his wonderful discoveries, said: "I think God's thoughts after Him." It was not until Christianity had leavened the thought of the world that the great discoveries in chemistry, astronomy, and physics were made. It is the testimony of history that the greater the Christian attainment of a country, the greater its scientific achievements. And hence a greater advancement of Christianity is requisite to bring forth greater developments of science. The modern scientific world is undergoing as great a change as the modern religious world. The Christian Register says:—

"Nine hundred and ninety-nine out of a thousand of the theological books printed twenty-five years ago are now worthless and unsalable. But the same thing may be said of books of many other kinds,—medical, philosophical, scientific. Not a single instrument used in the laboratories of Harvard College forty years ago has any value now excepting as a curiosity for a museum. It is astonishing how many things we have lost, to the great advantage of mankind." May it not be that the full understanding of Christianity will include and involve a full understanding of science?

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Beware of False Prophets