The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-06


than TO dispositions on these most solemn
subjects2 Col. mgersoll's scheme OF argu-
ment seems TO be in the line Of glitterng
generalities. He docs not argue seriously
from point TO point, but no sets out in
masses, without the labor Of proof, crowds
of imputations, which may overwhelm an
opponent like balls from mitrailleuse. "a
| venture in remarking, adds the OK.
Premier, that the doctrine of evolution
has acquired both praise and dispraise
which II does not deserve. One
striking effect of the Darwinian theory of
descent is TINT all is done by steps, moth
ing by strides, leaps or bounds; all from
protoplasm up to Shakespeare, and again
all from primal night and chaos up TO pro-
toplasm. Why and whereby does this
doctrine eliminate tho idea of creation ?
Does the new philosophy teach that II tho
passage from pure reptile to pure bird is
achieved by aspring $50 to speak, over n
chasm, this implies and requires creation;
but that II reptile passes into bird, and
rudimental into finished bird, by 1000
slight and but just disccrnible modilca-
tons, each ono of these is 30 small that
they arc not entitled TO name 80 lofty,
and may DO set down TO any cause or no
cause, Us we plcasep To me IL appears no
less than ridiculous TO hold that the
broadly outlined and large advances Of 80
called Mosaicism arc creation, but the re-
fined and stoalthy onward steps OF Oar
winism ARE only manufacture, and rolegate
the question OF cause into obscurity, in
significance or oblivion.
| admit that great believers, who have
been also great masters of wisdom and
knowledge, are not able TO explain the in
capabilities of adjustment between human
beings and the conditions in which they
have been set down TO work out their des-
tiny. Tho climax OF these inequalities is,
perhaps, 20 be found IN the fnct that
whereas national belief, viewed at large,
POUNDS the providcntial government OF the
world upon the hypothesis of free agency,
there are so many cases in which the over
bearing mastery OF circumstance appears
TO reduce IL TO extinction or paralysis.
Now, in one sense, without doubt, these
difficulties are matters for our legitimate
and necessary cognizancc. II is duty
incumbent upon Ms respectively, accord
ing TO our means and opportunities, TO de-
eide for ourselves, by the use Of the faculty
of reason given us, tho great questions OF
moral and revealed religion. They are to
DO decided according TO the evidence, and
II we can not trim the evidence into u con-
sistcnt whole, then according 10 the bal
anco Of the evidence. We are not entitled,
either for or against belief, To set up In this
porvincc any rule of investigation, except
such IN common sense teaches us to use in
the ordinary conduct Of life.
As in ordinary conduct, NO in consider
ing the basis oi belief, We are bound 10
look ut the evidence as n whole. We have
no right 10 demand demonstrating proofs
or the removal OF all conflicting elements
either in the ono sphere or the other.
What guides us sufficiently in matters ol
common practice has the very same au
thorily 20 guide MS In matters of specula
ton. Docs the general reason OF tho cas-,
make Il probable that finite being, Will
n finite place, in comprehensive scheme
devised and administered bya being who u
infinite, would bc able 10 either ombrac,
within his Wow or rightly 10 appreciate al
the motives aud the aims that have been
In the mind OF the Divine DispcserP
II Ia not difficult 10 soe that while Thu
reply aims At uplifting human nature, 1t II
reality plungcs US into the abyss of dcgra
dalton by the destruction OF moral freedom
responsibility and unity. For we are justl!
told that treason IL the supreme and Gina
test" Action may be merely instinc,iv
and habitunl. II passes over aH soon IA
" challenged into the other category, nm
finds basis for itself In some form
= opinion. But, says the reply, we have
T responsibility for our oplnions-wo cam
r help forming thcm according 10 the ~,
dencc NJ II presents Itself 10 US. Observ
, | a. A tfsI n .a.lI
Ion. II u distinclion bc taken botwcc
conclusions 10 which passion or proponsit
or Imagination incline Us, and conclusion
10 which these have nothing 10 say, the
the whole ground will be cut away iror
under the feet Of the rcply and Il wi
have 10 build again alb initio. Let Us ir
this 10y n test case.
A father who has believed his son I
have been through life upright, suddcnl
finds that charges are made from yariou
quarters against his integrity. Or lriond
greatly dependent for the work Of his III
ON the co operation al another friend,
told that that comrado Is counierwOrkin
and bctraying him. ] make no assumI
ton now ns 10 the evidence or result, bu
| ask which Oi them could approach th
investigation without feeling a desire :
be able 10 acquit2 And what shall we "a
Of the desire 10 condemn Would EliLa
beth have had no leaning toward findin
Mary Stuart implicated In a conspiracy
Did English judges and juries approac
with an unbiased mind the trials Tor n
popish plot Were the opinions formc
by the English Parliament on the treat
oi Limerick formed without the inleryoi
ton OF the will7 Did Napoleon judge N
cording 10 the evidence when he acquiiic
himself ON the matter Of tho Due Ia
ghcin? Does the intellect sit In n solitai
chamber, like Calico In the palace OF II
Vatican, and pursue celestial obscrvaiio
all untouched, while the turmoil Of earth
business II rigging everywhere around
According 10 the reply IL must be q mi
take 10 suppose that thcro is anywhere i
the world auch thingas bias or prelude
or prcpozcssion.
10 sum up. There are many passagt
In these noteworthy papers which, takeI
by themselves, are calculaicdtO comman
warm sympathy. Toward the close Of h
J final or latest letter the writer express
himself M follows
"Ncithor In The interest 81 truth nor Z
the benefit Of man Is u necessary 10 nssc
what We do not know. No cause " gre
enough TO demand sacrifice Of cando
The mysteries Of life and death, OF goo
and evil, have never yet been solved"
How good, how wise these words. u
coming at tho close OF tho coniroyous
have they not como Of tho ineifeciu
features OF q dcalh.bcd repentance a {,
pages earlier II IN announced that IAN IN
nile God has no excuse for leaving
children In doubt and darkness