Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-11-25
MANS ORIGIN.
Henry Ward Beecher ON tho Dar-
Wininn Theory.

Henry ward Beeoher ON tho Oar
wininn Theory.
Henry Ward Beecher, in his sermon
last Sunday morning, said, There has
been so much light and darkness thrown
by research as to the origin of man on
earth, that men need to be taught as TO
what are facts and wha. are faneies.
That speculative deductio MS from scien-
tifc facts have worked ard are working
mischief, is undeniable. They are un-
girding the loins Of Chris tians and send
ing them out without ar,y historic faith.
Seeing this mischief the re are some who
shut their eyes and clos their ears, and
will have meme of scien ce, and these err
almost as mischievousry. AS to the an
tiquity of the race, it may certainly be
said that the old chron ologists were in
correct and imperfect Man began fur
ther back than the 600t years they fixed
for his beginning. The Scriptures do
not undertake to medd lie with this ques-
ton, and in removing the date of man S
appearance we do n ot unsettle them
All present organizati ons have probably
developed from prev ious forms. The
| Divine method of ere alton was through
a long series of gradually occurring de-
velopments, so it is only the method of
operation which nee d be doubted the
operation itself rt mains the same.
Concerning mankin d there are three
views: First, that the race de-
scended from one pair in Eden, who
were originally perfect, but who
degenerated through some moral delin.
queucy, and whose descendants, inher-
iting their badness, have been plunged
into all sorts of moral confusion. The
second view is that according to the
Bible, there were several distinct origins,
and that this is true of only one line of
the race; and the third view regards man
as but the extension of the animal king
dom. This view gives great ofiense to
common people on moral ground. and,
also, for scientific reasons, it ofends
many. Logicians say, " 1t is a reason
ing that, like the kangaroo, proceeds by
mighty jumps. 1t is an instance of
philosophical Imagination, rather than
philosophical research and deduction.
1t is not to be denied that there are mul-
titudes doubling, aye, and unbelieving,
because of these speculations; they have
also tended to enhance the power which
makes the strong domineer over the
weak. These served to make the negro
not human being in the same sense
that Caucasian was. The plane of
the Ethiopian was that of service A
new theory of rights has thus come into
vogue, that right is only question
marking certain degrees Of position and
power.
There are now two points presenting
themselves for consideration. First,
that whatever theory prevails as to the
origin Of man, cannot alter the case that
man came into the world by Divine
method and, secondly, as far as our du-
ty is concerned we are more interested
in knowing whafhe is than how he came
to be here. Man may be studied--t is
for us to know Of what he is susceptible
and this is a question Of more import
ance than what road he took to get
where he is now. In regard to myself
/ am patient waiter for light. !
neither accept or reject, but am bound
to say that my faith is not afraid to take
| light from whatever source it may come.
The truth is better for us than anything
else As to the present condition of the
human family, am very clear and con-
fdent. The race of man is in every re-
spect so much one that we are all heirs
alike to moral benefits, however we came
here. God made all mankind of one
blood.
reach out hands to science. / be-
leye it to be Gods elect, not yet know
ing its own mission. 1t is means God
has used to reveal himself more clearly.
All hail the men who think and search
l bid them speed; but / cannot afford to
say to any modern conductor, Take
my faith. That is too precious to be
abandoned My greatest desire is to
see higher spirit of sympathy for eve
ry good and progressive work in the
earth.