New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-18

Il
men of science generally the doctrine imports
merely the development Of one natural species or
| kind out of other preexisting species or KINDS J;
whereas the true phlosophic doctrine of evolution
| implies the conversion of natural substance INTO
spiritual form. No doubt so far as his very INFERIOR
animality is concerned, man is strict produc1 VI
the animal kingdom but, argues Mr. James, there
is therefore, no reason TO hold him TO be an evoiu
ton of il: OF a process from more to less, from
strength to weakness. So far forth as his amman
nature is concerned, he is identical with all other
animals; but man is not essentially anlmal' he 10
animal at most on his organic side and 1t is only
by "slumpng" his distinguishing inorganic vi
human attributes in his animal or organic atrib-
utes that any pretext can be found Tor making
| his existence product of evolution from lower
forms Our subjective existence, Mr.. James ailirms,
isinvoved in our spiritual being as the shell IS IN
| yoved in the oyster, the egg in the chicken, tue
! husk in the wheat, or the matrix in the GEM tDat
is giving it not substance but surface not centre
but circumference not inward reality Dut out"dIu
appearance. Our subjective existence, III snort Is
| the pershable ground of our immortal splrltual
being. Thus nvoluton is the direct logical opposite
of evolution. Invoution is logically proportlonate
and precedent to evolution, just as earth IS Logically
propOrtonate and precedent to Heaven; and 10 ny
pothesis of evolution will ever be competent to fur
|
previous philosophy of involution.
| The value of the present work of Mr. James con-
sists chiefly in furnishing the students OF his pre-
| yious writings who have received from them
powerful impulse to earnest thought and fresh con-
cepions of the relations of the human to the dNne
| with more ample illustration of his doctrine ana
its application to the most important interests OF
society and practical life. The author does not
always combine exactness of method with his force
of expression the fertility of bis intellect tempts
him to indulge in frequent episOdeS and his salient
thoughts shoot off from the main subject like spark
| ling crystals from the vital centre. Hence MS
readers will welcome this volume. as possessing
greater unity of construction there is always per-
feet unity OF thought), and more consecutive
development of principles than are found IN some
of his former works. Still Its perusal demands
| the exercise of vigorous thought and active SYM
pathy; in spite of its frequent pOemic s0rtles
1t evinces spirit Of singular sweetness and mod
estv; with frank, plain-spOkenness OF language
which sometimes reminds one of the homely liilS-
rations of Burke it is pervaded by an ar OF rehned
culture; and although 1t must often call forth dis
from its conclusions the reader Will not fal TO
appreciate the earnestness of conviction and the
masculine eloquence with which they are enforced
THEIIFE OF RICHARD FULLER. ID BY j. H. CUTH'
BERT DID. l2mO, PIP. $40. Sheldon Co.
Dr. Richard Fuller was one of the most
eminent Baptist ministers of the present day. and rehy
entitled by force OF character and efficiency OF service
the appreclatve memorial contained in TINS volume
was BORN in Beaufort s. C., in the year 1904, was
member Harvard College in S2l and lie lett
account OF i'll health before graduation, and after p
suing course Of legal studies admitted 10 the bar
OF his native state prior completion of his twenty
first year After successful practice OF about seven
years he became deeply interested In religion and soon
after resolved devote himself to the Christian minis
try. He received ordination in 1892 and entered upon
the pastoral charge Of Baptist church i'll Beaufort
After prosperous ministry of fourteen years. in 1916
he received a call to a church in Baltimore and entered
upon his duties In that city in the Summer Of 1917 His
pastorate in Baltimore embraced period OF nearly
thirty years. and his death took place the 20h of Oc
tober, 1876. As depicted in the glowing language Of his
bographer which is amply confirmed by the testimony
OF those who knew him best at different periods OF his
life Richard Fuller early displayed the brilliant
intellectual endOwm nts for which lie was so nspcu
GUS In subsequent of his career. He was the
best scholar In his class duing his residence In Cam
| bridge. His memory a marvel. He would recite
page after page Locke without missing word
His splendid talents were combined with great power Of
work. and he was always a close and indefatigahle
student. These qualities were sgnaIy displayed after
he had entered upon the practice of law His conduct
at the bar was distinguished by thorough preparation
patience OF labor, fertility of resource ami when the
Imagination, and admirable address. His first efforts
in the pulpit were eminenty successful Upon his re-
mOval to Baltimore his labOrs soon began to bear
abundant fruit He warmly attached to his own
denomination, but terms OF close intimacy or
friendly relation with many eminent men outside OF the
Baptist communion, such Bishop Elliott, James W.
Alexander, Chief Justice Chase, John c. Calhoun, and
Edward Everett. He was by nature and training man
Of action "As lawyer he was at home in the excite
ment of debate; contrOversialst he was a master
with those weapons; OF thunder in the pulpit,
he swept everything before him with the fire Of his
logic and the earnestness Of his delivery" He is
placed by his biographer among the foremost
preachers any age OF the Christian Church.
His mental endowments found an admirable counter
part I'm his physical organization More than six feet IN
height he had sngularly commanding presence. His
large and shapely head, with high. massive forehead
was crowned in early life with luxuriant prOuson Of
rich hair. His figure was as erect as an Indians;
his hands and feet were Of almost feminine delicacY in
their proportions his voice Of wonderful power was
capable of the most varied meditation Many of his
published discour>es compare favoraby with the
terpeces Of the British aud French pulpts They may
lack the stateiness OF Chalmerss astronomical dis
courses and the exquisite harmony OF of Frederick
Robertsons sermons but they superior both the
Scotch and English dvine In the force and precision Of
their logic aud the melting junction. and pathos or their
appeals" In preparing his biography the author, In
aiming at competen SIS, has INDUCED in an excessive
druseness Of detail which takes from the effect Of the
narrative. Everything relating TO the character and
career OF Dr. Fuller is of supreme interest but
collateral TOPICS suggested rather than required by the
subject, dwelt upon at superhuous length,
and would have been better omitted from the attractive
history. The writer, moreover, 1t must be acknOwl-
edged often jauntly parades gaudy patchwork OF
irrelevant learning in the OF historical and bio
graphical reference Many Of his anecdotes and allu-
slons good things in the wrong place, giving an air
Of pretensoD, and sometimes OF pedantry, to what
should have been simple and classical narrative. His
pages frequently resemble painting in which the
vas so thcky studded with subordinate figures to