Isaac Newton on this date 1/26/1697, received from Jean [1] Bernoulli (bĕrn yē’), a six month time-limit-problem. Isaac had the answer before he retired for bed that evening.
Newton said:
“Opposition to godliness is atheism in profession and idolatry in practice. Atheism is so senseless and odious to mankind that it never had many professors.” 2
“This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent Being…This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all; and on account of his dominion he is wont to be called “Lord God” παντοκρατωρ (pantokratòr) or “Universal Ruler”…The Supreme God is a Being eternal, infinite, absolutely perfect.” 3
[1] Also known as John or Johann Bernoulli (7/27/1667 – 1/1/1748) was a Swiss mathematician (one of the several in his mathematician family).
2 A Short Scheme of the True Religion, manuscript quoted in Memoirs of the Life, Writings and Discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton by Sir David Brewster, Edinburgh, 1850; cited in; Newton’s Philosophy of Nature, p. 65, Ref. 2.
3 Principia, Book III; cited in; Newton’s Philosophy of Nature: Selections from his writings, p. 42, ed. H.S. Thayer, Hafner Library of Classics, NY, 1953.
Separate-Holy 