On the relation between Religion and Science / By George Combe.

  • Combe, George, 1788-1858.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the relation between Religion and Science / By George Combe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    dictated by their own short-sighted preconceptions alone. The course of nature, however, could not be altered. Their measures were at variance with the pre-arranged [idapta- tions of Providence ; and nature triumphed, while they have recoiled, baffled and astonished. And this will ever be the case, until the “ sacredness of this universe, and of this hu- man life itself,” be practically recognised by those who wield the destinies of nations, as well as by those who are subject to their sway. Another example of unbelief in the action of a moral pro- vidence in nature is afforded by the author of a recent able and eloquent pamphlet—“ The Case of Ireland stated by Robert Holmes, Esq.” After detailing the wrongs of Ireland, the author speaks of “ moral force” as a means of her deli- verance, in the following terms. “ Moral force,” says he, “ is a power, by the mere operation of reason, to convince the understanding and satisfy the consciences of those on whom the effect is to be wrought, that there is some particular moral act, within their ability to perform, which ought to be performed, and which it is their duty to perform ; and, also, by the operation of the same divine principle only, making those free moral agents do the very thing required. The in- tended effect must be produced, and must be moral—the efficient cause must be moral, purely moral, unmixed, una- dulterated, by any mean or sordid views ; reason, heavenly reason, applied with eloquence divine ; no threat, no intimi- dation, no cold iron, no ‘ vile guns,’ no ‘ villanous saltpetre digged out of the bowels of the harmless earth,’ nothing but the radiant illuminations of moral truth.”—(P. 96.) Mr Holmes considers this as a mere “ evaporation plan,’’ adopted as a safety-valve to Irish discontent. “ It seemed,’’ says he, “ to be considered by the expediency men ot the day as a first-rate contrivancebut he regards it as pure “ fudge,’’ and seems to prefer “ monster meetings,’’ and dis- plays of physical force, which may be used in case of need, as better calculated to accomplish “ repeal of the union,” and the redress of Ireland’s wrongs. But Ireland has fre- quently tried to right herself by means of “ cold iron,” “ vile guns,” and “ villanous saltpetre,” and with what success her present condition shews.* It is obvious that Mr Holmes * I am no advocate of the doctrine of non-resistance. Organs of Combative- ness and Destructiveness exist in man, and they have legitimate spheres of acti- vity, one of which appears to be to repel, by physical force, aggression which we cannot overcome by moral means.