Appletons' Popular Science Monthly, July 1899

In this thoughtful essay the author sets out to show how the disciplined habits of modern science can illuminate the study of sacred texts. By defining science as a “trained and organized common sense,” he argues that the same careful observation and reasoning that advance technology can also deepen our understanding of biblical passages.

The piece journeys back to humanity’s earliest attempts to make sense of the world—simple classifications of animals, plants, and woods, and the awe‑inspiring observations of the sky that led ancient peoples to record eclipses. It then traces the emergence of genuine scientific inquiry among the Greeks, whose philosophers sought universal principles through both meticulous fact‑gathering and rigorous reasoning. Throughout, the author highlights the twin pillars of the scientific method—accumulating reliable data and applying logical analysis—suggesting that these tools offer a valuable lens for interpreting the ancient scriptures.