Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-24

The following s an abstract of the address OF
Pres. A. II. Strong. oc Rochester Theological
Seminary, delivered in Watervle The
speakers theme was the philosophy of
| evolution. After Introduction abiding to the
University as fountain head of philosophy,
aud to the many successive systems which have
claimed allegiance during the last century, he
spoke of MIR. Herbert Spencer's scheme a. the
current sensation of the decade ana as demanding
examination. not only on account oil ITS cnnpre-
| heusvencs, of plan and wealth of scientific Illus
ration, but also on account of it, emphatic asser
ton of a certain truth Of development rot suti-
cienty attended to as vet 10y orthodox thinkers.
The speaker declared it his Obj ct 20 show that
the philosophy of Mr.. Spencer wa, -lsc philoso-
ply in its methods, its assumptions, aud Ms appi
cations. Its method he criticised being pre-
dominantv prOri and deductivc and so contrary
to the true method of science. Its fundamental
assumptions of the persistence of force and its
resultant mater and motion he held 20 he untrue
since proper Interpretation oil the fact OF con-
sciousness shows that force has will for is insep
arabic correlate and the only end Persistent force
il will force, since matter if it have any objective
existence is not simply force, but something with
which force works, and which therefore requires
a Creator. Since motion is ineXpcable from
force and matter alone, but demands 10 addition
An Abusive intelligence. In short Mr.. Speucers
assumptions are shown to be insult ;ient a. the
| foundation of his system, unless he is willing to
add to them the existence of an oldaiuing mind
and will
lie then proceeded 10 test the philosophy of
evolution by facts, and show that it was defective
in three important features-hr-t, as az explana
| ion Of the origin Of life and mind second, as II
theory of human knowledge with regard to truth
and God; third As basis of practical life and
morals lie claimed that development as well as
| creation WAS recognized in Genesis, and that Mr..
Spencer is more narrow than Moses in that he
denies the truth OF absolute originatiOn, which IS
needed As a rational supplement to his scheme.
While he granted that not every variety of animal
and vegetable life migAt have owed its origin to
creative fiat alone, yet there must have been three
such new beginnings, VIZ at the introduction of
organic life, of the human soul, and Jesus Christ.
No science explain either of these from their
| ant, cedents, and for neither of them does Mr..
Spencer account.
He next showed that the philosophy refu'es
itself by recog nzing the Intutions only that it
| NAV destroy their validity by calling them the re-
suits of experience 10 past generations Mr.
Spencer nndermines his own foundation. lie
cannot show how tie first experience was possible
He renders all philosophy and all knowledge in
valid Especially did he rcprObsLe the agnos
-cism OF the system 10 its application TO God.
tod i not lncOuceiva bic, for conception Is not the
forming of mental picture, but the distinguish
NJ Of the Object in thong hit from all other objects
God i not indefnabe, for he has so limited HIM
self and is so limited ny his own perfecuons, that
he can be known. God is not impersonal, for
per sonality is perfectly consistent with regularity
of action, and that which has intelligence aud
will must ever be higher than that which is with
out them: fualy he indicated the results which
must flow from this philosophy in the field Of
practical morals. The system is a system of
practical atheism, AMI morality cannot long
we the loss of belief in God. lie pointed TO the
Is II symptoms 10 our new art and literature that
this philosophy is already exerting bhghting
influence, and he declared that in politics and
social science some stronger ethical principle
than that of selfinterest is needed TO stay the
af Ism
masses He concluded by welcoming new re-
cruits from the University to the humber of those
who shall lead the of return movement to
the old faith with regard to man, truth and God.