The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-20

the origin of species by direct miraculous
creation, and that this last stronghold
has been stormed by evolution. 1t has
become the fashion, therefore, for mate
rialists to ridicule the idea of design as a
carpenters theory of the universe no
longer tenable in the light of modern
science-as an expiring and almost van
ished superstition. This is called by
him, "unphilosophical," but not unscien-
tifc: the science is right, but the phil
osophy is wrong. The. argument from
design is untouched and must ever re-
main untouched by the theory of evolu-
ton. The design remains ever the same,
but our conception of the Designer is in
finitely exalted-the basis of natural re.
ligion remains, but the character of our
natural religion is infinitely ennobled.'
1t seems to be late day for the reve-
latlon of new form of material religion.
The vice of this reasoning both from de-
sign and cause is, that it presumes one
act OF the divine will, from which every
thing progresses eternally without further
volitlon or intervention on His part. 1t
is not easy to distinguish it from the an
cient Epicurean theory of the world,
which withdrew God from all further
connexion with the works of His hands.
This remote conception of the Almighty
may appear to be very sublime to an ex-
allied scientist, but it will not satisfy the
desires of the humble soul, and it is not
consonant with Scripture which tells us
that He is not far from each one of us,
for in Him we live and move and have
our being.
We have not space to follow our
brother through the remaining topics
Immortality and Miracles. We wish we
had, for here too this attempted reconcil-
iation between evolution and religion
breaks down. The remarks on the mi
raculous are specially offensive to us, in
which he describes the successive defeats
of the friends of religion. The several
battle-fields, more famous than Marathon
or Waterloo, are enumerated first the
battle-ground of the heliocentric theory
OF the universe, next that of the universal
law of gravitation, then of the antiquity
OF the earth, then of the antiquity of
man; and now he tells us the Church is
IN its poor last ditch" which "must be
abandoned in It's turn" He adds: sThe
sooner it is done the better for the cause
of true religion" 1t will be time enough
when evolution shall be as well estab-
hshed as gravitation or the Copernican
system. Of the Christian character,
scientific attainments, and thorough sin
celity of DR.. LIE Conte there is no CUES
ton. Hence, while criticising his rea:
soning, a. d unwilling, perhaps through
Ignorance, to accept his theory of evolu-
tlon' it is yet comforting to hear him say
In conclusion There she uld be no long
er any doubt that the truth or error. the
acceptance or rejection of evolution cam
not affect any fundamental question OF
religious belief'-although we are not
prepared to go with him in the further
remark" It's acceptance, indeed, de-
stroys our lower, anthropomorphic no.
tons of Deity and his modes of working,
but this only compels us to form higher
and ulster conceptions. Thus its effect,
like that of all science and all KNOWLEDGE
is only to purify and ennoble our reli-
gious faith"
Such effects have not appeared very
widely as yet: with the exception of DR..
LIE Conte and few others, Christians are
not evolutionists, and evolutionists are
not Christians.
There can be no doubt, as the Re-
viewer admits, that at present the two,
Christianity and Evolution, stand opposed
to one another. AS then we must choose
between them we will adhere to Chris
tianity, for Evolution may soon pass away,
but the word of the Lord abideth forever