To him [Faraday], as to all true philosophers, the main value of a fact was its position and suggestiveness in the general sequence of scientific tru… - John Tyndall

Then arose the sect of the Gnostics—men who know — who laid claim to the possession of a perfect science, and who, if they were to be believed, had discovered the true formula for what philosophers called 'the Absolute.' But these speculative Gnostics were rejected by the conservative and orthodox Christians of their day as fiercely as their successors the Agnostics —men who don't know—are rejected by the orthodox in our own.

Superstition may be defined as constructive religion which has grown incongruous with intelligence.

With terrible jolts and oscillations the religious life of the world has run down 'the ringing grooves of change.' A smoother route may have been undiscoverable. At all events it was undiscovered.