The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-02-11
For the Central Presbyterian.
Mans Origin.

4HeSSTS Ed1t0TS,-Ihe spirit of deter
mination to correct all error, and to keep
unfolded the banner of truth in regard to
all misrepresentation whether inadver-
tent or not, as displayed in your com
munications with Professors Dana and
Gray, deserves the highest commentator,
and we take pleasure in saying to you,
" Go on, good sirs, you are in the right
way, do not abate your energies in this
good work. " Let not the slightest devi-
alton pass without an endeavor on your
part to blot the same out by the light of
inspiration; where inspiration is adequate
to solve the problem. For instance, the
origin of man; not as regards the precise
period of the earth's history when he
made his appearance, though we are not
even without this specification, since we
are told it occurred in the latter part of
the slrth division of time-the sixth day;
but the mode of his origin: Whence is it?
Professor Dana says, Man is not of ma
lures selection either as regards body or
spirit. No natural method of derivation
is adequate to account for mans exis-
tence: some other poacer than natures
was needed for mans development"
Now, why does he not here, at once ac-
cept the only true light we have on this
subject? The glorious flood of light ra-
dating from the pages of inspiration
We might naturally look for such con-
cession from this devout and distinguished
scientist, especially as he says, "but 1
hold that in mans creation there was re-
CURED a special divine oct"-which the
SCRIPTURES declare aOaS the fact, had he not
SAID " 1 admit that it mag hare been, and
prO6abIy mas, creation from an inferior,
species, and not directly from 6teLess and
inorganic matter" These probabilities
these hypotheses-m made the basis of his
doctrine on this subject, to the exclusion
OF the sure words of inspiration, which
declares, Gen. i: 26,. 27, "God said let us
make man IN our image after our like
ness So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God created he
him. And as if to forestall all specu-
lation as regards his creation, the very
material of which he is made, and the
very nature of the creation, are specified,
Gen. Ii: Z, "And the Lord God formed
man of the dust of the ground and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of
life; and man became a living soul"
Again, Acts xvii: &c, 81, %, 90, "And
hath made of one blood all nations of
men for to dwell on all the face of the
EARTH and hath determined the times
before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation; that they should seek the
Lord, if happily they might feel after
him, and find him, though he be not far
from every one of us: For IN Him age
tue and n1oUe and hare our 5e5nq as GER
tain also of your own poets have said,
For we are also his offspring "Foras-
much then as aoe are the offspring of God"
1T does seem, it is a grievous falling
away from the truth--a painful perver-
sion of the God-given faculties of man, to
endeavor to fix, or place lis origin, any
where else but where the Creator has
been pleased to place it. Why should
this be accounted an incredible thing"
that God made man of lifeIess inorganic
matter? 1t will be so in the resurrec-
ton. Does Professor Dana imagine that
in this rising from the dead there will be
creation from an inferior species? "And
though after my skin worms destroy this
body, yet in my flesh shall / see God
whom | shall see for myself and mine
eyes shall behold, and not another"
Truly it is time for the lovers of truth,
by the lifting up of their hands, to do
their part, no matter how feebly, to give
you their encouragement and support in
the important service you are rendering
the Church, and for one wish you God
speed in your good work. Lac.