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materialism； and in our own day； Dr。 Buckland； Mr。 Sedgwick； and
other leading geologists； have been accused of overturning
revelation with regard to the constitution and history of
the earth。 Indeed； there has scarcely been a discovery
in astronomy； in natural history； or in physical science；
that has not been attacked by the bigoted and narrow…minded
as leading to infidelity。
Other great discoverers； though they may not have been charged
with irreligion； have had not less obloquy of a professional and
public nature to encounter。 When Dr。 Harvey published his theory
of the circulation of the blood； his practice fell off； （3） and
the medical profession stigmatised him as a fool。 〃The few good
things I have been able to do；〃 said John Hunter； 〃have been
accomplished with the greatest difficulty； and encountered the
greatest opposition。〃 Sir Charles Bell； while employed in his
important investigations as to the nervous system； which issued in
one of the greatest of physiological discoveries； wrote to a
friend： 〃If I were not so poor； and had not so many vexations to
encounter； how happy would I be！〃 But he himself observed that
his practice sensibly fell off after the publication of each
successive stage of his discovery。
Thus； nearly every enlargement of the domain of knowledge； which
has made us better acquainted with the heavens； with the earth；
and with ourselves； has been established by the energy； the
devotion； the self…sacrifice； and the courage of the great spirits
of past times； who； however much they have been opposed or reviled
by their contemporaries； now rank amongst those whom the
enlightened of the human race most delight to honour。
Nor is the unjust intolerance displayed towards men of science in
the past； without its lesson for the present。 It teaches us to be
forbearant towards those who differ from us； provided they observe
patiently； think honestly； and utter their convictions freely and
truthfully。 It was a remark of Plato； that 〃the world is God's
epistle to mankind；〃 and to read and study that epistle； so as to
elicit its true meaning； can have no other effect on a well…
ordered mind than to lead to a deeper impression of His power；
a clearer perception of His wisdom； and a more grateful sense
of His goodness。
While such has been the courage of the martyrs of science； not
less glorious has been the courage of the martyrs of faith。 The
passive endurance of the man or woman who； for conscience sake； is
found ready to suffer and to endure in solitude； without so much
as the encouragement of even a single sympathising voice； is an
exhibition of courage of a far higher kind than that displayed in
the roar of battle； where even the weakest feels encouraged and
inspired by the enthusiasm of sympathy and the power of numbers。
Time would fail to tell of the deathless names of those who
through faith in principles； and in the face of difficulty；
danger； and suffering； 〃have wrought righteousness and waxed
valiant〃 in the moral warfare of the world； and been content to
lay down their lives rather than prove false to their
conscientious convictions of the truth。
Men of this stamp； inspired by a high sense of duty； have in past
times exhibited character in its most heroic aspects； and continue
to present to us some of the noblest spectacles to be seen in
history。 Even women； full of tenderness and gentleness； not less
than men； have in this cause been found capable of exhibiting the
most unflinching courage。 Such； for instance； as that of Anne
Askew； who； when racked until her bones were dislocated； uttered
no cry； moved no muscle； but looked her tormentors calmly in the
face； and refused either to confess or to recant； or such as that
of Latimer and Ridley； who； instead of bewailing their hard fate
and beating their breasts； went as cheerfully to their death as a
bridegroom to the altarthe one bidding the other to 〃be of good
comfort；〃 for that 〃we shall this day light such a candle in
England； by God's grace； as shall never be put out；〃 or such；
again； as that of Mary Dyer； the Quakeress； hanged by the Puritans
of New England for preaching to the people； who ascended the
scaffold with a willing step； and； after calmly addressing those
who stood about； resigned herself into the hands of her
persecutors； and died in peace and joy。
Not less courageous was the behaviour of the good Sir Thomas More；
who marched willingly to the scaffold； and died cheerfully there；
rather than prove false to his conscience。 When More had made his
final decision to stand upon his principles； he felt as if he had
won a victory； and said to his son…in…law Roper： 〃Son Roper； I
thank Our Lord； the field is won！〃 The Duke of Norfolk told him
of his danger； saying： 〃By the mass； Master More； it is perilous
striving with princes； the anger of a prince brings death！〃。 〃Is
that all； my lord？〃 said More； 〃then the difference between you
and me is thisthat I shall die to…day； and you to…morrow。〃
While it has been the lot of many great men； in times of
difficulty and danger； to be cheered and supported by their wives；
More had no such consolation。 His helpmate did anything but
console him during his imprisonment in the Tower。 （4） She could not
conceive that there was any sufficient reason for his continuing
to lie there； when by merely doing what the King required of him；
he might at once enjoy his liberty； together with his fine house
at Chelsea； his library； his orchard； his gallery； and the society
of his wife and children。 〃I marvel；〃 said she to him one day；
〃that you； who have been alway hitherto taken for wise； should now
so play the fool as to lie here in this close filthy prison； and
be content to be shut up amongst mice and rats； when you might be
abroad at your liberty； if you would but do as the bishops have
done？〃 But More saw his duty from a different point of view： it
was not a mere matter of personal comfort with him； and the
expostulations of his wife were of no avail。 He gently put her
aside； saying cheerfully； 〃Is not this house as nigh heaven as my
own？〃to which she contemptuously rejoined： 〃Tilly vally
tilly vally！〃
More's daughter； Margaret Roper； on the contrary； encouraged her
father to stand firm in his principles； and dutifully consoled and
cheered him during his long confinement。 Deprived of pen…and…ink；
he wrote his letters to her with a piece of coal； saying in one of
them： 〃If I were to declare in writing how much pleasure your
daughterly loving letters gave me； a PECK OF COALS would not
suffice to make the pens。〃 More was a martyr to veracity： he
would not swear a false oath； and he perished because he was
sincere。 When his head had been struck off； it was placed on
London Bridge； in accordance with the barbarous practice of the
times。 Margaret Roper had the courage to ask for the head to be
taken down and given to her； and； carrying her affec