The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

286 SCIENCZ AND RELIGION.trampling out the beaten straw by lingeringover the argument that no evidence can besufficient to establish a miracle, because a miracleis contrary to common experience; for,it is obvious that a miracle must be contraryto common experience, since that which ismatter of common experience can not be amiracle, but must be an event determined bysome law of nature. The uniformity of thelaws of nature is even a necessary conditionfor the evidential value of miracles.We pass to the real merits of the questionin discussing the possibility of the miraclesof Christ without violation of any of the lawsof nature as ascertained by the most recentadvances of science.The miracles of Jesus Christ profess to besupernatural interpositions for accomplishmentof an immediate benevolent purpose,while in combination they afford a body ofevidence testifying to the power and benevolentmission of a divine Saviour of the sinful.Their directly benevolent aim is conspicuousthroughout. Jesus never performs any wonderfulwork for display of power; when a desireis indicated for signs in the heavens, theseare refused; when His own wants are con-