New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-25
EVOLUTION AND THEOLOGY.


EVOLUTION AND THEOLOGY.
The Rec. Dr. Rsd"os at 81 Marks LrOes'ant Epseopo'
The Rev. DR.. Rylance of st. Marks p. +.
Church. yesterday morning, took his text from Genesis
T. 27 $50 God created man In His image; in the
Image Of God created he him" He spoke substantially
as follows:
Many of have been lately interested in and of
have been edited by, the public discussion OF branch
OF natural science by gentleman who has Just left
whose name aud fame had preceded him hither 1t was
not unnatural that considering the possible application
Of the facts and differences which he has Isbored
indusriousy to disseminate master in the schools
Of physical philosophy fear should have gone abroad
in the regi world that his public deliverances this
country would work mischief to the interests OF the
Christian faith Yet 1t must in fairness be conceded that
he has offered reckless insult n the most delicate
feeling OF deyout people during his brief visit among
The subject which ne discussed being lust OF general
and absorbing interest in the intellectual world he had
not only the right to treat It openly aud fc,y, but We
ought to be thankful for the privilege Of recciyng
from Acknowledged authority the latest light upon
questions o. such vast dimensions aud significance. 1t
would be than 10 attempt to sucn
discussions. while to the wecoDsidered utter
OF science by theological invectve is simply TO
pos theology to the reproaohes Of all dspassonae and
flrInnded We may regret that there should exist
any occasion for disturbing traditional beliefs but We
occasion he simply finds H. n he Is honest in the path,
way VI his professional calling and u Il % repay good
service by insult n call him hard or offensive names For
GOOD service Il surely Is that should delights
and live laboriouS days" In idecpberpg The wonderful
things OF Gods marvellous wisdom and power Nor need
we the resuits Of the deepest widest explorations
Itself within the limits Of the human undcrstaidne in
proportion us the alleged facts arc true, aed inc infer
euccs aud CONGRATULATIONS correct 10 may be that the
naturalist compelled TO receive his conclusions, VIII
have TO substitute others IN some instances WINE inc
| ma
passages OF his sacred books But these things have
Gaprgned already without serious shock 70 the faith OF
! CIristcndom should advise therefore that at this
stage OF the controversy refuse 10 yield 20 alarm.
Having been thus frank and cOuci!iaJng In one direo
On shall not expose myself 10 the scoEu Of the candid
! II drop some hints IN another LIT US bear III mind,
then that the utefances OF any individual or collective
authority worth none than the measure OF truth
they be shown to contain To the extent that such
utternnccs are merely fragInenhry, TENTATIVE, hlpO-
theticsl merely groupings In the DARK may leglu-
maey hold belief In suspense at least while II they ARE
es N the field u equal emiHcuce, may Justly
deny them all 'eon, claim gD9n rt S S
commotion we are 20 remember that the tacts OF
science are thing while the philosophy o. the facts,
or the logical OF Them is altogether another Now
knowledge OF the facts may be got az, oteIw5e than
once put IN possession Of then, al outside hyman OF
sufficient mental competency may be able 20 MAKE a
better Of them In logical application Than the dscoy
erers themselves; WHILE matter Of fact, know
that EMERGENCIES OF opinion arise far frequently IN
swer to the professional cOncct sometimes encounter
which resens any cavcat or criticism on the part of
|
Po9 C s'" he 1vt nae ~ TesSon In ipterpreine
and Ing The facts d science the special prcruga
he n@essyy ogIedgt Of te fIos aud dscornment Of
their bearings and value, may venture, without permit
10 question IL Just occasion shan call the iHialhby Of
tbopa who speak eIcAtLodra.
gpt far Taore Important thing to rrromher IL this
That the hypothesis OF evolution ycrned down g. all
IT'S essential details, never supply the materials Of
yad contradiction Of the fundamental truths Of RELIGION
Say it can be proved, has been proved which Is an
highest results Of the occuIt fooc operating ia
nature, that bis Immediate ancestor wac m ape AID MS
earliest SEA slime or cosmo gas OF hslihH the lne
with MI Darwin. stopping with t%o OF three
primitive Gpcs OF shiFa ,..or 'h'nEsi 7 a.
ever, tho intermediate steps or trtnsmHtsuons
NAV have been Ia what he II, and what ne IL We
know Say he IL nothing except original DUST yet me
dust organized that Il takes N attributes essentially
distinct from aud far above all other original dust The
dust has person III the shape II aGsiIhes In
man. lie Il creature, as We know him. "i large as
memory the future he forecast by ancpatlOn Ills
intelligence indefinitely pFoEre ssiye his snecons cah
be ncted 10y ideal beauty aud goodness lis conscience
responds TO moral distinctions lie Is not passive rs
other dust but active iree. ana accountable. ne
fear, JOY, sorrow, while hls aspirations outrun
ali realzat0ns. He has OF knship aud obligation
Ina him 10 Others subiecting himself 10 service and self
sacrifice often, which have no lustncatOu IN the ooupu
tations Of utlitasnism Iio has capaciies In him for
gions animal do what we VIII 10 cXtrpae huch unworthy
feelings aud aspirations han h al THIS and great deal
more than words Indicate. lie is the crown and
glory Of creation Everything else IN nature Is serve To
him This gCody frame me earll, seems Put s9ihe
prOmontory this most excellent canopy INC ar LOOK
you; this brave Exchanging hrinauieht nus malesuc
roof frctted with golden fire. why II appears no
other thing to m than fOui and pcs;lent congregation
of vapOrs." But what piece OF Work rs man HOW
noble In reason! how INFINITE IA iaCulue' IN olh hGu
moving how express and admirable IN action how ike
an angel! III apprehension how liAr COOL TOT Ni Is
this the estimate OF p0etc sentiment only, science pshs
witness, all this II substantial ana ndiluta6!o iaet
which can be discTedited by merely eIunCatlng
the steps or transitions 10y when man came 20 pe Sl.t
he is And beng what he 49, ~ ~ NOT uieoiogy
Wedges that in tho reason coincidence, viii, and
moral freedom OF man, We nave tne !lieaets Oh On
how tbc image came to be there; but matter OF fact
il is there IL believe in God at all tand evolution
iotss GodI If We believe IN God, say, AT all, DO
leye In Hin as having ~ perfection Tue attributes ana
And t6is Is one Iho great fundamental and eomprc
hensyc truths Of religion, which, as sad just now e'G
luton can do nothing 10 inyalidate IL may find new
ngreutare for the body another Than that which tI
ditlon has supposed but know not thar We Heed % pe
book of Genesis is Lowry enough That when we e'i
the human form d,y!ns" was mas ld v VGs o.
Immediately, by direct o1ertion Of omnlp1tss,e
eHately, through M iUng o ~ ners
potential III the Tuoments Of creation, ~ niue avon
TO the argument am propoundhg NeSpeaA % uo 90
pr0ouct Of secondary causes as We HhO" why sVulu
any scrle 20 admit then, thar sueh s.ooaa%Ly
genus mgn The bodily organism may nave pee" a
development OF slowly maturing forms pIoyeSUinG nan
consisted Ia tbe pec1Baf tyre OF mans phy sc sslSS
tufe such notion would have been esteemed hOIiDle
y til earliest jew The Old Testament from iis open
ing eIphaticlly and strcnuOsy iOrins anu uthouIes
scn nat Id The same in eject 500 years before
We are 10 seek the image OF God IN man. bcL MOI ia ~!
peculiar collection OF material pntces, bow a4ila-
lie soeycr or however FAR the human Ioiln
may transcend In structure aud Junction "a. aii
oliar forms; but We 10 SEX u in the intellectual,
nnInl ana spiritual cndOwments ct man, when can
never be disconnected by merely ehGmerltihg ie stels
or transitions by which evolution saposes au I.s eSe
10 be what he II, nor can such affections ana
ever be accounted for except by allowing wat al sos
point ia upward ascent to nans plesent sles
there must been Divine increasing OF ihat Will