New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-01
THE LIFE OF ASA GRIX.

We are fond Of Boosting of our statesmen
and generals who rise to fame and authority
from the humblest beginnings, and without
the aid of early advantages. There is perhaps
an even more striking and more valuable les
son in the career of Asa Gray. one of the great
est scientists this country has produced, who
did not have a college education. Professor
Gray has just died at ripe old age. leaving be-
hind him a reputation which is bounded only
by the circumference Of The world Of science,
and is a lasting monument Of what may be
accomplished in any field OF learning by pure
and lofty enthusiasm, singeness OF purpose
and tirelcss industry. 1t is no exaggcration
to say that the history of his life is the history
of the development Of the science Of botany,
more especially as applied to the plant life of
this continent. In this field he
showed that he was something far
greater than mere observer, however
exact and industrious. He displayed remark
able powers as constructive thinker. and was
able to deducc from his studies of vegetable
life cancellations bearing upon the most seri-
ous problems that are occupying the greatest
minds. With these abilities he combined the
faculty. not always found in conjunction with
them, of making knowledge attractive to be-
gnners The name of Asa Gray is as familiar
TO the young student as it is TO the leaders in
science the world over.
II is fact of no small interest IN an age
when to be man of science usually means to
be religious sceptic, that Professor Gray was
rs firm a believer as Agassiz or Joseph Henry
though they came TO their convictions by such
different roads. Professor Gray was an adj
yanced eyolutionst while Agassiz adhered tena-
ciously to the theory that there was no devcl-
opment from one species to another, but that
the successive changes which are written in
the earths strata were specific creations by a
Divine hand. Gray supported with all his
wealth of learning the theory of evolution,
which his own researches did much to
strengthen, but contended that this marvellous
system of gradual growth and modification i'm
uled the existence of plan and creative
power capable Of having conceived it. He
was able TO see. what many Of the cvolutionists
do not seem to see, or at all events do not take
sufficiently into account that when the theory
of evolution has been conceded in its entirety.
il is still an open question whence comes the
power that sets all this endless series of causes
in motion. THE evolutionist is as unable to
explain the mystery of the growth of plant
from the seed as the savage. When he has
travelled to the uttermost bounds of knowl-
edge this mystery of the origin of life, which
lies about him in every blade of grass. is as far
beyond him as if he did not know one plant
from another And Professor Gray held what
must be conceded to be logical belief-thaU so
far from the theory Of evolution detactlng
from the accepted idea of God. it provided us
with moro majestic image, Creator who
simply set in motion the vast machinery OF
development, rather than one who resorted to
countless specific acts Of creation. Professor
Gray found no inconsistency between the
theory Of evolution and the Nicene creed.
When we add that his private character was
so benevolent and amiable that he was be-
loved as much as he was admired, we have
said enough to show that the career of Asa
Gray was one which the youth of this country
could study with profit.