Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-06-20
BIBLE EVOLUTION.

Last Sunday Plymouth Church was filled
with sweltering crowd gathered to hear
one of the series of Mr.. Beecher's sermons
on evolution. He chose his text from the
Sth chapter of Romans:
'For the creature was made subject to
vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him
who hath subjected the same in hope; be-
cause the creature itself also shall be deliv-
cred from the bondage of corruption with
the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation grow
eth and travaileth in pain together until
now"
Mr.. Beecher said The seventh chapter
of Romans cannot be explained unless on
the theory of evolution. If we hold that
man is animal at the bottom and spiritual
at the top, then this chapter of Romans be-
comes commentary to be understood.
Man is born to vanity-that is, he is born to
change, and each step is onward and up
ward. He was born an animal, to be deliv-
cred from animalism. Born with instincts
allied to those of beasts, he is, in the end,
evolved in o glorious liberty. The theory
of evolution is like an unfinished railroad,
with gaps here and there, tracks to be laid
and bridges to be built; it will be finished.
Theology should not be confounded with
Christianity They are as wide apart as hea-
ven and hell. Theologans are continually
quarreling and those who do not care to quar-
rel do not understand theology. When theolo-
gy is controverted men say thatChristianityis
gone; but the greater part of theology was
not even alluded to by Jesus. Evolution
does not affect the fundamental principles
of Christianity. God did not make the world
and then let it run itself. Evolution does
not upset this. 1t substantiates it.
Atheistic scientists propose to call God
force, or an energy, but the name matters
not. Man begins as low-toned, sinful
being, but it is not necessary for him to re.
main so, as there is in him power of de-
velopment which will enable him to rise.
That is Christianity.
We must enlarge and refine our ideas,
and recognize the universal unfolding Of
human nature. A conversion from the con-
troll of the flesh to the control of the moral
nature is necessary. Human nature, quick
ened by the divine spirit, gives something
of the divine power. There is in man
power, which, when quickened in this way,
carries him up near God and gives him
moral intuition. They who receive this
power have the power of mind over matter.
Christ said so, and taught that in man there
is an element of liberty like Gods own. A
mind thus unfolded is delivered from the
hard laws of nature. That is evolution.
That is the way men become part and par
eel of God.
In Boston, about the time I was born, MIR.
Beecher continued, the doctrines of original
sin and of total depravity were hotly debat-
ed by theologians Orthodox theologians
said we are all totally depraved while the
Universalists insisted we are not, and declar-
ed their belief that though sinful, yet educa-
ton will bring men up. Both were right as
to the universal sinfulness, but wrong as to
the cause Evolution favors the noble the
olosy that, while man was born at the bot
tom, he should work his way up. To vlo-
late the law is not always sinful. Children
ignorantly do it. Man began at the bottom.
Some declare they never descended from
monkey. They were right. They never
went step from that position. Laughter;
Man has always been struggling, unfold
ing creature. The doctrine of mans sinful
ness is organic with us. 1t is part of the
design of creation. 1t is compulsory. The
deliberate and purposeful violation OF known
duty is criminal sin, for which men are re-
sponsible, body and soul. But on the other
hand, there is a great mass of imperfections
caused by ignorance, which are not criminal.
WHY should man be blamed for the misuse
of the many faculties of the brain, if he
has not been taught to use them? Slow
creeping centuries only can teach him
bow to be in harmony with his fellow
creatures and his God. Children are
untaught, mischievous animals, and the
child must be ruled by counter.irritation
with the palm of the hand-until at
last it begins to have a sense of the rights OF
others and learns the elements OF social
morality. This knowledge gradually ex-
tends to the community, and last OF all to
the spiritual life.
Evolution shows that sin springs from the
contest for ascendency between the animal
and the spiritual nature. The presence of sin
can no more be explained than friction. 1t is
a natural law established by God. Neither
can this series of unfolding be explained.
II would be inconsistent with divine justice
to saw that every man is to be damned who
does not comply with the law. Man is i'm
perfect always, when compared with the
condition next higher than himself, and he
must continue to be comparatively imperfect
until he reaches the highest point.
Sweep out of existence the hidden pit
which theology has dug, inspired by ma
lign and wicked imagination. Who can sit
down and talk quietly about the total de-
praving and damnation of myraids OF men in
Africa, Asia and the islands OF the sea, and
of countless millions who have died on earth!
Are they in torment7 If that be so, never men
ton tho name of God to me again. To cali Him
father would violate the very name OF fatnerhoou
It is another phantom to say that they go out OF
existence. If man does not reach perfection, he
has that in him which will take root in the here
after and unfold there. The old theory of sin
will be extinguished by the light Of evolution;
That old theory is repulsive and demoralizing; =,
hate it because / love the truth and God. The
idea of God creating race, putting it under
temptation tenn of an arch fend, and then damning it
because it was not perfect is absurd. Surround.
ed with temptation, with damnation on the right