Natural Theology: The Gifford Lectures, Delivered Before the University of Edinburgh in 1893 |
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Common terms and phrases
able according actual ADAM GIFFORD altogether analogous appear argument axis belonging bodies bodily structure called causes character chemical affinity chemical combination chemical substance Christ Christian religion closely set colour compound conceivable condition connection contemplation course of nature death direct distance earth elements endeavour evidence of design evolution evolutionary origin exercise existence explain eyeballs feel gases Gifford Lectures gravitation human hydrogen hypothesis idea images imagine influence inorganic world kind knowledge Krakatoa laws lead least lifeless matter light living things lower animals luminiferous ether man's means merely mind molecules moral motion mysterious natural science natural theology nitrogen object observed optic orbit organ oxygen perhaps pheno phenomena physical science planets ponderable matter present properties purely evolutionary question reason refer regard retina rotation scientific seems sensation sense special creation supernatural suppose supposition teleological argument theism theory tion truth vision whole
Popular passages
Page 207 - Behold, I go forward, but he is not there ; and backward, but I cannot perceive him : on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him : he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him : but he knoweth the way that I take : when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Page 259 - I wish the lecturers to treat their subject as a strictly natural science, the greatest of all possible sciences, indeed, in one sense, the only science, that of Infinite Being, without reference to or reliance upon any supposed special exceptional or so-called miraculous revelation.
Page 13 - That gravity should be innate, inherent, and essential to matter, so that one body may act upon another at a distance through a vacuum, without the mediation of anything else, by and through which their action and force may be conveyed from one to another, is to me so great an. absurdity, that I believe no man who has in philosophical! matters a competent faculty of thinking, can ever fall into it.
Page 217 - Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh ; yea though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Page 260 - ... all questions about man's conceptions of God or the infinite, their origin, nature, and truth, whether he can have any such conceptions, whether God is under any or what limitations, and so on, as I am persuaded that nothing but good can result from free discussion.
Page 258 - The Knowledge of God, the Infinite, the All, the First and Only Cause, the One and the Sole Substance, the Sole Being, the Sole Reality, and the Sole Existence, the Knowledge of His Nature and Attributes, the Knowledge of the Relations which men and the whole universe bear to Him, the Knowledge of the Nature and Foundation of Ethics or Morals, and of all Obligations and Duties thence arising.
Page 257 - residue ' of my estate as aforesaid, to institute and found, in connection, if possible, with the Scottish Universities, lectureships or classes for the promotion of the study of said subjects, and for the teaching and diffusion of sound views regarding them, among the whole population of Scotland...
Page 257 - ... having been for many years deeply and firmly convinced that the true knowledge of God, that is, of the Being, Nature, and Attributes of the Infinite, of the All, of the First and Only Cause, that is, the One and Only Substance and Being...
Page 258 - Promoting, Advancing, Teaching, and Diffusing the study of Natural Theology," in the widest sense of that term...
Page 256 - ... Whom and with Whom it always was, to be in Him and with Him for ever in closer and more conscious union ; and with regard to my earthly means and estate, I do hereby, give, grant, dispone, convey, and make over and leave and bequeath All and Whole my whole means and estate, heritable and moveable, real and personal...