THE SUBSTANCE OF FAITH Transcriber's note for the text version: _text_ means that the text was printed in italic font. =text= means that the text was printed in bold font. y^n means that base, y, is to be raised to the power, n. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ =THE= =SUBSTANCE OF FAITH= ALLIED WITH SCIENCE A CATECHISM FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS BY SIR OLIVER LODGE, F.R.S. PRINCIPAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM SIXTH EDITION METHUEN & CO. 36 ESSEX STREET W.C. LONDON ------------------------------------------------------------------------ First Published February 1907 Second Edition February 1907 Third, Fourth, and Fifth Editions March 1907 Sixth Edition April 1907 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gloriam quæsivit scientiarum, invenit Dei. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PREFACE Everyone who has to do with children at the present day, directly or indirectly, must in some form or another have felt the difficulty of instructing them in the details of religious faith, without leaving them open to the assaults of doubt hereafter, when they encounter the results of scientific inquiry. Sometimes the old truths and the new truths seem to conflict; and though everyone must be aware that such internecine warfare between truths can be an appearance only, the reconciliation is not easily perceived: nor is the task simplified by the hostile attitude adopted towards each other by some of the upholders of orthodox Christianity. It is sometimes said to be impossible for a teacher to educate a class subject to compulsory attendance, in a spirit of weal-th, peace, and godliness, without infringing the legitimate demands of somebody; but the difficulty is caused chiefly by sectarian animosity, which may take a variety of forms. These religious and educational disputes would be of small consequence, and might even be stimulating to thought and fervour, were it not that one danger is imminent:—a danger lest the nation, in despair of a happier settlement, should consent to a system of _compulsory_ secularism; and forbid, in the public part of the curriculum of elementary schools, not only any form of worship, but any mention of a Supreme Being, and any quotation from the literature left us by the Saints, Apostles, Prophets, of all ages.