The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-05-11
For the Central Presbyterian.
Science and Religion.

science ana Religion.
Messrs. Eaitors,-I send you herewith
for publication, in accordance with your
permission given, Mr.. Halls reply to the
criticisms upon his book in the article
on "Science and Religion" in your issue
of April Goth. prefer that on these
points Mr. Hall should speak for him
self. 1t is enough for me to saw that the
criticisms have not in the least changed
my estimate of the great value of the
book.
1t conveys gross misconception of the
part of Mr.. Halls book which treats of
Evolution to say, as this critic does, that
Its object "is to show that life is material
and so must survive the body" though,
perhaps, more accurate judgment were
hardly to be expected from one who con-
fesses he has mot seen fit to waste his
time In careful study" of this part of
the work. He does not seem either to
have much confidence in his own opinion,
for he says, if 1 understand him, y
though still the question recurs, why
under such circumstances he should print
it.
The critic also says he is not able "to
form an opinion of great Biologists .
Now this may mean that he thinks it re-
qulres years of special study to be able
to form an opinion of them, and he is
simply aiming to give expression to his
modesty. But what are Christian men
to do who cannot spend years in special
study? What are pastors to do who
everywhere see people led away by the
current infdelity of evolution, who must
form an opinion "of great Biologists, ="
and all other false teachers, and warn
against them? Moreover the experience
of the Presbyterian Church Just now
both In this country and in Scotland,
does not strongly favor special study of
years In the atmosphere of infdelity as
a security for soundness in the faith.
And one of our most distinguished Pro-
fessors of Theology not long ago gave us
IN the Central his impressions of the
perils to our young men of study in Ger
many, the very hot-bed of this infdelity.
1t is difficult to touch pitch and not be
defiled. Must one sound all the depths of
Satan, to know that they are his?
The Bible is meant for plain people.
1t is meant to make wise even the poor
and the unlearned. And our Father
has graciously given His Spirit to dwell
with US and to guide us into all the
truth. 1t is said of even the babes in
Christ that they need not that any man
should teach them. One only needs to
be wise concerning that which is good
and simple concerning that which is evil.
Any one can see that Evolutionists
are at the forefront in our day of the
ranks of those who disbelieve the truth
and authority of Gods word, deny the
existence Of mans soul and thus subvert
the foundations Of all morality. And
the elimination of their teaching is Ag-
Mysticism which banishes God himself
from His own universe.
by their fruits We shall know them"
is the Divine rule.
We guarantee to any one who shall
take time to study candidly and carefully
The Problem of Human Life" that
when he lays it own he will be- fur
nished with both an intelligent knowl-
edge of what the great Biologists teach,
and decided opinion of the character
and tendency of their teaching. And
we know no other single volume that will
so well do this.
He may lean for further and fuller con-
slderation, as we have done, the theories
which Mr.. Hall proposes in place of
what ne destroys. We say this, not be-
cause he does not present his views plau-
sibly and ably, but because on questions
of such vast range and importance
prudent caution and delay can do no
harm. WIN. DINw1DD1E.
Alexandria, Va., April 90 81.