New-York tribune., 1875-12-10
EVOLUTION AND CHRLSTLANITT.

A LETTER FROM PRESIDENT POTTER.
ATTITUDE or SCIENTIFIC MEN THE OPINION OF
MANY CHRISTIANS -IHE TRAINING or rHE
YOUNG.
70 the EdftOr Of the Tribune.
SIR: Permit me to acknowledge your courtesy in
correcting the misapprchenson Of your respected
correspondent and in Offering me the Use OF your
columns. 1t il not necessary that should occupy
much of vour space. even did my engagements per
nit me to pursue the subject at length. The theory
of even 80 distinguished naturalist as Mr.. Darwin
is not matter of faith and matter of fact, iii my
Judgment. is not proven. But Mr.. Darwin has not
vet declared that he is an Atheist nti-Chrstan,
and my hope and earnest prayer is that he never
NAV DO so but that he and his followers may live TO
proclaim their faith in Christ and His Word. That
eminent evolutiOnsts have been found among Chris
tian scholars from 1t. Augustins day 20 our own Is
well known, and suppose Darwinism may be fairly
regarded ~ only FORM or rather perhaps as the
most complete presentation of one phase Of the
theory of evolution. Nowadays, 70 be sure, the
theorist no matter how superficial OF ncOnslderate,
has hearing and is protected. But the
prosecutions of the past not forgotten, and the
-uectacle Of the eccesastic matchmaking the
natural philosopher at each advance of material
science much in the spirit still. If not alter the
same fashion, as in Galieos day, induces IN our
sensitive scientists who need calm for clear thought
much bitterness of spirit, and leads them often most
uniusty 10 confound such bigOtry with the religion
of Christ in spite of the fact that it, fundamental
law now, as of old, is Let there be light That
no such misapprehension should arise in the minds
of scientists az the attitude OF the Church Con-
ore,s as a body. and that acknowledgment might be
made of the distinction between their domain and
ours. was as much as l purposed in the few words
uttered Kindly permit me to add that they We're
substantially follows:
81 4 brief explanation may he admissible, lest from
the wide range the discussion has taken II should De
implied that We were prepared to deny that Oar
vinian can be Christian. The two positions. IN
NV opinion are essentially distinct II we meet the
DarWiunn with humorous reference To supposed
cods il not less Objectionable and thar the choice
lies between animate and inanlluate dust. VII
ters of distinction in both Roman and Protestant
churches have Indicated that the hypothesis of evO
luton may be- held without any denial of the truths
of Revelation. Besides the traces of some snch no
ton existing IN IamudIc classic and paristic lore,
competent scholars hold that the idea of evolution
not only IN the successive periods OF the Oehcsls Dut
in the progress from lower to higher forms culnnat-
ing in In readily reconcianle II not m sIc!est
accordance with the original scriptures. he IL Is
clear further that the manic 81 atoms 0l an ever
present Divine power IL Is equally compatible win
belief in an omnIpresent God. The value or worth
lcssuc-s Of the hypothesis, then, II question 10 be
ferihed by scientific evidence. II ~ my privilege 10
know many scientists Intimately, and 10 hnd
them men OF thc very hlenesI chdIicltI
and purpose But m dealing with men,
certainly with young men, the question OF personal
relgiOn-at times deeply interesting 10 thrhi-is 10
be- considered apart from the discussion OF such
scientific theories require years of Investigation
before compct tent conclusions can be reached. Nav
We moi in cur pastoral pursuits wisely leave scientific
tonic, 10 the classroom and the loctuIe-rOom seek
iug "a lead the inquirer after spiritual truth, away
from the proud aud often obstinate attitude OF mere
controversy Thus through the influence 0t Memo
ne. of home and early Christian training, and
through the affections and the sense OF reverence and
duty ald the deeply felt needs Of the human SOUL
% may oitenrSt enable the most skepical to rcalizf
tbe beauty of holiness, the truth of Christianity,
and to know by personal experience the power OF
Ir,verr +. y. POTTER.
Ts,oa Coiieg. Schsnecfady " T., Dee. 4, ls7j.