Seite:Marsh Hallig 1856.djvu/104

104THE HALLIG.

many a sentiment slumbering in his own heart seemed
inclined to re-awake.
  "I can well understand that from your education as
a popular teacher, and your position as such, you should
feel the greatest interest in men of science."
  "There is only one science," replied Hold, "the
source of true light in time and eternity, the knowl-
edge of the way of salvation for men. By its light and
laws must every thing be determined ; that which is,
and that which is done, and other science and knowl-
edge, has worth and durability only so far as it ad-
vances us and others in the consciousness of our de-
pendence upon God in a holy desire to do his will, in
a cheerful reliance upon his wisdom, in a word, in a
perfect filial relation to him. So our willing and doing
bears a living gem and abiding fruits in itself so for as
it aids that knowledge to manifest itself in our indi-
vidual life and that of humanity."
  "According to this view, all sciences have but one
and the same problem to solve, though they issue from
so many diiferent points, take such different directions,
and often learn to conflict with each other."
  "Let me use a figure," was Hold's reply. "This
one knowledge is the sun in the heaven of humanity,
the other strivings of curiosity are only the bearers of
the rays of this sun on every side and into every obscur-
ity. If these forget their office and go about with
their own farthing candles, they will lose themselves in
the desert and wander into a thousand by-paths. But
they will more perfectly develop their knowledge,
more clearly arrange it, and more firmly establish it,
ripening in the consciousness of their own true vocation