Michael Faraday – married, June 12, 1821

I have far more confidence in the one man who works mentally and bodily at a matter than in the six who merely talk about it…Nature is our kindest friend and best critic in experimental science if we only allow her intimations to fall unbiassed on our minds. 

(Underlining mine – this is what men prejudice toward evoluntion do not do –eab)

– Letter to John Tyndall (4/19/1851); letter 2411, edited by Frank A. J. L. James (1999). The  correspondence of Michael Faraday, Volume 4. IET. p. 281. ISBN 0863412513.

 

Bacon in his instruction tells us that the scientific student ought not to be as the ant, who gathers merely, nor as the spider who spins from her own bowels, but rather as the bee who both gathers and produces…The human mind is placed above, and not beneath it, and it is in such a point of view that the mental education afforded by science is rendered super-eminent in dignity, in practical application and utility; for by enabling the mind to apply the natural power through law, it conveys the gifts of God to man.

– Lecture notes of 1858, quoted in The Life and Letters of Faraday (1870)                                by Bence Jones, Vol. 2, p. 404

 

I am, I hope, very thankful that in the withdrawal of the powers and things of life, the good hope is left with me, which makes the contemplation of death a comfort — not a fear. Such peace is alone the gift of God, and as it is He who gives it, why should we be afraid? His unspeakable gift in His beloved Son is the ground of no doubtful hope…

– Letter to Auguste de la Rive (1861), as quoted in The Philosopher’s Tree :                                 A Selection of Michael Faraday’s Writings (1999) edited by Peter Day, p. 199

Speculations? I have none. I am resting on certainties. I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 – Reportedly his speculations on life beyond death, as quoted in The Homiletic Review‎ (April 1896), p. 442

I shall be with Christ, and that is enough.

– Reportedly last words, answering question “Have you ever pondered by yourself what will be your occupation in the next world?” quoted in The Speaker’s QuoteBook (1997) edited by Roy B. Zuck, p.108

On this date,6/12/1821, Michael Faraday, the later famous inventor, was married to Sarah Barnard inEngland.

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Michael Faraday – birth, Sep. 22, 1791

I will simply express my strong belief, that that point of self-education which consists in teaching the mind to resist its desires and inclinations, until they are proved to be right, is the most important of all, not only in things of natural philosophy, but in every department of daily life.

            – Michael Faraday

                ‘Observations On Mental Education’, a lecture before the Prince Consort and the Royal Institution, May 6, 1854.          Experimental researches in chemistry and physics (1859), 477.

The world little knows how many of the thoughts and theories which have passed through the mind of a scientific investigator, have been crushed in silence and secrecy by his own severe criticism and adverse examination!

            – Michael Faraday

                ‘Observations On Mental Education’, a lecture before the Prince Consort and the Royal Institution, May 6, 1854.          Experimental researches in chemistry and physics (1859), 486.

 

What a delight it is to think that you are quietly and philosophically at work in the pursuit of science…rather than fighting amongst the crowd of black passions and motives that seem now a days to urge men every where into action.  What incredible scenes every where, what unworthy motives ruled for the moment, under high sounding phrases and at the last what disgusting revolutions.

            – Michael Faraday        Letter to C. Schrenbein, December 15, 1848.

 

Nothing is too wonderful to be true if it be consistent with the laws of nature.
            – Michael Faraday (exact source unknown)

The five essential entrepreneurial skills for success are

concentration,

discrimination,

organization,

innovation and

communication.                         – Michael Faraday (exact source unknown)

 

“His [Faraday’s] soul was above all littleness and proof to all egotism.”

            – John Tyndall                   Faraday as a Discoverer (1868), 104.

 

Michael Faraday was born this date 9/22/1791 at Newington, England (one mile south of London Bridge.)  He was one of ten children born to a poor  blacksmith; reportedly so poor a loaf of bread may have had to last all week.

 

At fourteen he apprenticed to a bookbinder learning much by reading (after work) the books being printed.  This led to him seeking (and at twenty-two gaining) a position with Sir Humphrey Davey.  Faraday traveled eighteen months with him obtaining a “university education” as his assistant.

 

Faraday went on to make great and well known discoveries in electro-magnetism and chemistry.  He was a true scientist – he pursued truth.

 

Many may not know that Faraday was a Christian (Presbyterian- Sandamanian),[1]  His was a deep faith which led him to make his confession at twenty-nine and later to become a minister in his church.  He died in 1867.

 

 

 

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[1] Convinced that churches are gatherings of true believers, rather than social clubs for anyone born in a parish.

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