New-York tribune., 1885-01-14
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
RELIGION AND EVOLUTION.
PROFESSOR PROCTOR COMMENTS UPON An UTTER
ANcr or TILE nEY DIR. IALMAQE.

PROFESSOR PROCTOR COMMENTS UPON AN UTTEh-
ANCK OF THE REV. DR. TALMAoE.
70 tAs Editor of The tribune.
SIR May be permitted to make few re-
marks on the Mr. Talmage's assertion that svo'u-
ton 10 inHdelty," which I did not observe In THE
TRIBUNE of November 2o, but saw quoted py
~B. @. W." in that Of December 20. It
Is true that Mr.. Talmages opinion on such mat
not OF weight though learn-much to my surprise
that his illusions meet the taste OF many tbut hen tho
iterate many bon in this country and In England;
for he has shown by his marvellous utterances against
Darwin, Tyndsl and Herbert Spencer that he knows
nothing about science. unless 1t be about those more un-
pleasant phases Of hospital science from which he de-
his favore metaphors But although the assaults
OF ulcerand Oratory cannot In any way injure
either science religion among decenty educated per-
sons good deal of harm may DO done to the Ignorant
classes by spreading among then the Rev. Mr. Tai
mage and Of his class delight In doing tho Idea
that evolution inhdclity. IF the unfortunate
ocks Of these strange pastors believe ths they are
bound to lose one Of excellent things. The whole
system of science Of time involves implicitly ana
explicitly the doctrine Of evolution. Either thon. IL
Mr. Talmage is right must turn from science and
lose Its glorious teachings, else accepting the tney
must reject religious teachings as delusion and
snare Now the awful disease-oratory OF MI.
Talmages school, will not long convince tho most
learned that the science which Is doing such grand work
for men, every hour OF lives reminds MS, either
false or wcked therefore, In reality, Mr. Talmage and
his fellows doing their best to persuade their hearers
that thero must be something radically wrong with re-
ligion.
This Is foolish notion and would be wicked one but
for the all sucng defence of what Catholic theol ogans
define as "invincble Ignorance" Tho doctrine OF evou-
ton taught modern science Is but an extension 10
the whole OF Gods domain Cn time and space alkel or
those which had long Imagined "a operating
space The gro With OF planet seem diccrent
from the growth OF plant; the development OF
solar stem not seem even comparable with inc
development OF an animal; hut IN His eyes to Whom
one day Is thousand years aud thousand years
day. there Il neither large small neither
loRg-lasting short lasting II Of Oil we're not
rejecting God when they sad This tree has grown from
the seed. That animal has been developed from
ing GOt. putting Him side las Gladstone mis-
takrnly said In the Df Universal Evolution
when they recognize the growth OF suns and sun
svstemz, with all the living things that exist In them.
His laws doubtless Infinite In their operation as
His domain or which they made Is initiate In eI
tent and IN duration.
Against the ignorant shnse OF TalIusge, would set
the words OF earnest minister or God who has not
feared lest Gods WORK should contradict His word Dr.
Temple Bshop Of Exeter tho ust learned OF our Eng
s diYnes. said In recent lecture Il rrrrnber us say
Ing the earlier I'm address following lecture
hal given ENeer the doctrine OF evolution restores
creation OF God. lie who regards the doctrine as prov
that ntsi Xencc PINNED the ts uudesiak
ing the sefcDntraictOry task " showing that great
chine has purpose. by tracing 10 detail the marvel
ous cnupl, IS o! lis parts. and the st marvellous
sion with which all work together 20 produce com
The prngrcs, of science iu tire direction OF
evolution will assuedly eud IA helping mon 10 believe
with than ever that The Lord nv
wisdom hath oun the earth hy understanding hath
lie esiahiiShed tho heavens" Iaith.uly yours,
ketc- Ork, Jan. !, 1850. RICHARD 4. PROCTOR.