, 1874-02-14
Their Antagonis1n, and the
Causes Thereof.
Some Spetulations as to Results Of tht
Evolutionary Hypothesis.
Christianity Pre-eminent}y an Evolution.
al Religion. -
No Conflict Between Physical Facts and
Moral Laws,


| Lectures on the Method OF Creation, tho follow
| ing remarks occur: "Later, when Scienc
WAS raised above contempt, she became th
| object OF dread almost as fatal to free dese1op
| ment. Hor boundaries we're prescribed by The
ology, and limited by tue generally y-acceptes
creeds. Indeed, this phase OF persecution ha
hardly yet passed away. I remember we'll, whe,
I young man, being called before the Board O
Education ir irNcufchatel, the town where the1
tanght as Professor, to be rcprimandod for in
culcating Infdel doctrines; and this because
did not hesitate to speak Of Geology as reveal
ing, approximately at least, the age Of the world
and showing 1t to be far older than Church-creet
lad supposed, Theso, are unpleasant recollee
tions."
TIME HAS INDICATED PROP. AoAssIz;
he lived to see himself adopted by Orthodox
Theologians as in some sort their Scientific
champion and, now that he is dead, the relig.
iouB press of the entiro country hastens to honor
his memory,-to praise his life aud works. Yet
Agassiz abandoned none OF his Scientific her
esies, and, in the cou1ee Of lis life, ho taught
mauy things, besides that which called down
upon him the reprimaud OF the Ncufchatcl
Board Of Education, tIayersing the generally
received traditions Of Orthodox Theology.
The odor Of sanctity in which he seems to
have died may be ascribed in part to the growth
Of a more liberal spirit among Thcologians, and
in part to his refusal. almost alone of the erni-
nent Scientific men Of the day, to accept tho
theory of Evolution as at this day developed
for this now threatens to become Theological
0ete noir beside which all others will be dwarfed
into insignldcance.
l., 4f,n+1 1rfo
full change in the attitude Of Thcolosians to-
ward Scientific investigation. From bitter op-
position to any interpretation OF the phenomena
Of the Universe ut variance with the accepted
Theological interpretations, and sometimes l.
determined persecution of the bold Investigator
who ventured to proclaim Il theory, or even O.
fact, controveuing Theological tradition, ne have
come to Witness readiness to accept the results
Of Scientific inquiry, and
TO AsS1A11ATE THEN
With prcviouslJ~1eceived Theological doctrines !;
and this change has been wrought within CON-
paratively few years. Science is sometimes
represented as attacking tha strongholds OF
Theology, undermining them ons BY one, aud
forcing Theology to retreat within narrower and
narrower bounds; but this metaphor Is a false
one. Truo, Theology once covered the whole
field Of human knowledge; but it WAS very
UAITOW uEll. n lIut uAEL0RuOI NQulQ Oo 10 61g
that the Scientists are tho little band Of aappers
and miners, leading the way of human progress.
After them, and sometimes long distance be-
hind, comes the big Theological army. Evoiu-
tionary hypothesis eau hardly be said to DO es
tablishcd upon firm basis as yet; but already
the ADVANCE guard Of the Theological army is
upon the field During tho full and winter, eev-
cr1l books havo appeared bearing upon the re-
latiou Of Revelation to ETolution,-the latest
attempts to revise dogmas, aud to bring them
into harmony with facts BY stretching them upon
the Proc1ustean bed OF Science.
Not alone for the sake Of the Iheologia1 is tho
death OF Prot. Agassiz to be deeply deplorad.
The theory Of Evolution has been fairly stated,
and is not lacking in able defenders 1t is much
to be desired, in the interests Of Truth, that it
should be examined, aud its weak points e1-
posed, by opponents as able. Prof. Agassiz's
learning and candor,-above al, Ills familiarity
with the results OF archaeological researches,-
pointed to him as one peculiarly fitted to handle
the subject, and give it au able and critical e1-
animation. Now that he is dead. it is doubtful
once, perhaps, Theology and Science may clasp
hands over ono grave, and mourn 4 common
logs.
It is idle to deny TINT IN
ASTAoosIsn Ex1sTy BETwEES TIE TWO.
The Scientific method is the antipodes Of the
Theological. The Theological method Of train
ing is eminently calculated to unfit its recipient
for the pursuit Of Truth. In general it consists
in giving the student certain premises; which he
ia told, in the language OF DR.. Holland, a1e
questions above reason," the yetifcation Of
which it is, therefore. useless for him to st
tempt; he is rigidly confined within certain pre-
scrincd limits during Ills course OF study, which
consists mainly Of tho methods OF defending
certain dogruas and formulas which his particu-
lar sect has adopted as creed: and #ithal he
acquires tho habit Of mind which leads him to
regard his utterauces- ia eE cnlhedra, however
parado1ical they may DO, because derived from
authority. In brief, the Theolo-
gian looks backward for Truth,-the Scientist
looks forward.
And, although the attempt, Is beforo-meu-
TONED, has been NJ made to reconcile this latest
product Of Scientific Investigation with existing
Theological interpretations Of tie phenomena
with which it deals, thoro is a
MANIFEST D1STEUST OF IT,
On the part Of tho great body Of Thcologians,
which the lapse OF time will most probably in
tenEify into positive Iepugnanco, as the vast
meaning and application Of the theory are un-
folded. Dr.. Dawson, Of McGll University. de-
clares that, carried to its legitimate conclusions.
it is subversiTe of Theism itscn, although it is
difficult to see by what method Of reasoning he
has arrived at such result; and there can be
little doubt TINT tho universal eulogies pro-
upon Prof. Asnseiz BY the religious
.,rcsa mark not go much their admiration Of hiB
life and labors, as their approval of his antago-
nism to the trausmutation theory" as be was
fond Of calling it.
What is there in the theory of Evolution which
runs so counter to what Mr.. Herbert Spen :er
terms the Theological bias? !
In the beginning OF the world. God made man,
say the Theologians. An Erolutionist would
probably say, In the beginning God made Proto~
plasm,-from whence, Man. Possibly some Ev-
olutionista would omit the reference to God
but all Evolutionists a1o not Atheists probably
very few are; and, to those who hscribo the va
ried pheno1nepa On this earth to Power above