Sacramento daily record-union., 1882-05-06
THE INFLUENCE OF DARWIN Oh THE
OLOGY


Darwin upon the occasion Of his death, we
reviewed chiefly the scientific aspect OF
his doctrines and discoveries. 1t Is neces-
sary to a proper comprehension OF his
place in history, however, that his intiu-
ence upon theology and upon religious
dogmas and beliefs, should be not less
carefully estimated. That this influence
was of the most important character, no
one who is familiar with the worlds his
tory during the past thirty years can
doubt. Nor can it be denied that it has
wrought real revolution in human
thought, Notwithstanding the resistance
opposed to it. When Darwin's great
book on the origin of species appeared, the
clergy almost instinctively denounced it,
and for several years they kept up drop
ping fire upon it. But the work was alto
pether invulnerable to such assaults 1t
contained too solidly framed series of
arguments to be dislocated by the spas
nodic efforts Of theologians, and it con-
yinced tbe intellectual world almost i'm.
mediately. From that time to the present
Darwinism has been the controlling iaiu-
ence in science and philosophy, and what
ia more. it has been SO familiarized and
brought home to the masses through the
abundant expository literature which has
sprung up about it, that it has completely
changed the general beliefs in regard not
only to the genesis of species and of the
human race, but to the growth and de-
velopment of society and government, and
the agencies which are most potential in
promoting progress. 1t may in fact be
said that Darwinism has revolutionized the
opinions of the civilized world upon all
the more important problems of oiviliza-
ton, and that it has had the effect of de-
stroying the credit and credibility of nearly
all the authorities upon which the churches
rely for maintaining their positions.
At first the antagonism between the new
doctrines and religion was declared to be
irreconcilable. That however was only for
a moment, before it became understood
that theology could not hope to anathema-
tie its latest enemy out of existence.
When the full force Of Darwin's views
was realized, the more astute theologians
abandoned the hostile attitude, and max
ing virtue of necessity, affected to &C.
cept all the new lights, saving themselves
by taking the position that Theology and
Science were capable of being harmonized
thoroughly. 1t is to be observed that Dar.
win himself never sought to make any ap-
plication of his doctrines as against theol-
ogy. That was left for the theologians
themselves to do. They could not rest un-
til they had convinced everybody that it
was impossible for sensible men to hold to
their dogmas and Darwinism at the same
time. And the result was that sensible
people quietly abandoned the theological po-
sitions, and adhered to the scientific ones.
For when it became question as to which
should be discarded, it necessarily followed
that the views which rested upon mere ira
dition, which were contrary to experience
and reason, and in every particular improb-
able, must give way before views which
were sustained by wonderful fabric OF the
most convincing evidence, and which con.
sisted with the most careful and cautious
observations throughout the historic pc.
riod. Presented with such choice, intelli.
gent men and women could not hesitate,
and so Darwinism spread all over the
world, and Theology became less and less
credited.
OF course the Church of Rome refused
to accept the new lights, that being its
traditional and unavoidable policy. The
only consequence of this refusal, however,
has been to widen the gulf which separates
Rome from the modern world, and SO to
diminish her influence. Yet Rome has
found it necessary to recognize Darwinism
unofficially, and in her higher schools to
teach the doctrines of evolution and natural
selection, as the only alternative with
abandonment by world which will have
the latest science, and will not patronize
teachers which cannot give it. But the
influence and spread of Darwinism were 80
great and swift that it soon mattered little
who opposed the doctrine. 1t took pos
session Of the mind of the age, and it COL
ored and impressed every topic, from the
ology to legislation. In twenty years
it has completely changed the standpoint
of the principal churches. It has compelled
them to modify their teachings, to surren-
der dogmas which were formerly clung to
as vital in fact it has led to a most rad
ical change in theological positions gener-
ally, and has SO far forced many of the
Churches forward that it is quite common
now to hear views expressed from the
pulpit which generation ago would have
been condemned by the same pulpit as
rank heresy. Darwin has wrought this
marvellous revolution in Theology. and it
is one which must in the very nature of
the case be permanent change, because
it is due to profound alteration in human
beliefs, based upon the production of new
evidence.
To-day the position of Theology in rela-
tion to Science is rather pleading than de-
fant. 1t has surrendered SO much that it
has very little more to give up. 1t has been
driven one by one from all Its strongholds,
and has at last fallen back upon a vague
Enotionalism, having no stronger claim
to respect than an assumed necessity of
human nature. All the old dogmas have
been pushed from their pedestals by Science.
The Mosaic cosmogony must rank henceforth
with fables and fairy tales, and with
it Of course must descend into the limbo of
obsolete superstitions the whole cumbrous
and elaborate structure of degradation and
op1 oil fbo raoi NJ II