88 Science and the Bible. [Jan.
Thus
there are laws having reference to forces, motion, form, dimensions,
general structure, functions, affinities of family, class, etc. ;
homological type-relations; reciprocal relations between the parts of a
structure; development or growth, whether organic or inorganic. And
such facts or conditions may be considered also with reference to one
another, and afford still other laws ; or specially with regard to
forces or influences of any kind ; and in this line are mainly what we
call causalities. They may all be of various grades of generality; and
they may be reduced in some instances to mathematical expressions, in
which last case we reach nearest to the prototype enactments of
Divinity.
Such
laws are literally announcements of concordances in nature. They are
not in any sense phenomena, but expressions of the relations of
phenomena. They proceed from the oneness of system in the universe.
They may rise above one another, in a grand series, and all still be
true as laws; for they are exhibitions of the lines of truth which run
through nature, all emanating from the will of the Supreme Architect.
In electricity, magnetism, and some related departments, the term fluid is
commonly used, but only as a help in the expression of general truths.
The science is not in the fluid, nor is the idea of a fluid a part of
the science. The science consists of enunciations of general relations
observed, and general methods of action or change; that is, the
comprehensive facts or truths which research has developed.
The
illustrations which have been given are sufficient to make clear the
true goal of science, that toward which it has been moving with
unceasing progress since man turned from excursions of fancy, and
became an earnest and faithful learner at the footstool of his Maker.
Nature, to such a one, is not a mere collection of things, of trees,
and rocks, and animals, and man, but of living activities harmonious
in plan and action.
These
explanations may, to some, seem trite or out of place ; and they would
be actually so, were there not lamentable ignorance where we have a
right to look for knowledge.
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