IX.

Connection between Science, Literature, and Beligion.

THE subject of the following lecture is one which may be considered too wide and vast for a single lecture. Volumes might be worthily occupied in treating of the various and intimate relations in which science, literature, and religion stand to each other. Indeed, the great problem of philosophy is so to fix our stand-point, that, from it, we may be able to see the various lines of those three diverging from, and meeting in one center, as the spokes from an axle, constituting one whole, as the various colors constitute one light. Till this be done, there is too much truth in the murmur of the splenetic, that science has hitherto been but scratching at the door of nature; literature dreaming, and religion doting; and that, with all our arts and sciences, our logic and metaphysics, our philosophy resides in the future, instead of the past. I propose to bring before you to-night a few of the more simple aspects of the subject, principally for the purpose of proving, that there is at least a distinct approximation toward such a union; and, that such a union may be the subject of rational and general hopethe bright bridal of a future day. We can not cast a bridge between Ayr and Arran, between Dover and Calais, but it is much if we believe that some god or giant yet may.

Our leading propositions then are:

1. Science, literature, and religion, are connected or related in their nature.

2. They are connected in tendency and effect.

3. They have been connected in the examples of many illustrious individuals.

4. They are, to a certain extent, connected in God's special revelation.

5. The greatest evils have been produced by their partial severance, and apparent misunderstanding. And,

6. There is a certainty of a future, entire, and permanent union between those three fair branches in the one tree of truth.

In the first place, they are connected in their nature. They are all, in one view, various phases of the human mind. Science is the mind, as intellect or understanding, contemplating nature as a great series of phenomena, dependent on each other, and linked together, by forces and principles, which it is its part to discover and disclose. Literature is the mind, as genius, surveying nature, as a varied collection of beautiful and sublime objects, corresponding with the beautiful and sublime elements which exist in the mind of man, and its part is to reproduce and combine these twofold classes of elements into new and noble forms. Religion is the mind, as faith, contemplating nature, man, and itself, neither simply as series of successive changes, nor merely as magnificent apparitions of loveliness; but as they declare the existence, proclaim the perfections, repose in the shadow, rise toward the throne, and are illustrated and supplemented by the word of God. All three are thus the one mind under different aspects of contemplation, and using different degrees of light. Science holds torch of dry light, clear, stern, and searching, Literature is surrounded by a softer and warmer effulgence;

while the light of religion mingles with that "which never was on sea or shore.". I am reminded of the three fair graces described by St. Paul-Faith, Hope, and Charity. Here, to the apostle's view, stood Faith, with eagle eye, contemplating the invisible; there, Hope, looking as beautiful and happy as if a breeze from heaven were blowing around her temples, and stirring her golden hair; and there, again, Charity, weeping over a miserable world, and all the more lovely for her tears. So Science, Literature, and Religion, figure themselves as three noble sisters. One is arrayed with severe simplicity; her eye is piercing, her air masculine; one hand rests on a ter restrial globe; another uplifts a telescope to the stars: her name is Science. Another is more gayly and gorgeously attired; her cheek is tinged with a finer bloom; her mouth is radiant with a sweeter dimple; one hand rests upon the open page of Milton, the other holds a pen, which seems to drop sentences of gold: her name is Literature. A third is a more matured and matronly form;

grace is in all her steps, heaven in her eye, in every gesture dignity and love;" a dark but lustrous vail envelops her majestic form; her eye is raised higher than those sidereal heavens to which her sister Science restricts her gaze; one hand holds the book of God, while the other, as it is lifted up on high,

"Allures to brighter worlds and points the way:"

her name is Religion. Which will you choose? seems Paul to ask about those holy three in the sisterhood of grace, and to add, as his preference, "But the greatest of these is Charity." So here, which would you choose? All are beautiful, all are noble; and better still, the choosing of the one does not imply the refusing of the other; all may be equally and eternally your own.

Secondly. They are connected together in tendency and effect. There are indeed some, even still, who frown