The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-25


Religious Aspect OF Evolution" in which
he takes the self-same position as my friend,
Prof Woodrow. The volume Is from the
press Of @. p. Putnam's Sons, New York, and
therefore is accessible to all reading people.
! need only refer TO 1t.
But l will give clipping from The 81.
Louis Presbyterian, OF May IL, in the editorial
preface to which the Rev. DR.. Farris seems
disposed 10 poke a little fun at certain
brethren among us, who, like THE APPEAL,
continue TO hold the somewhat Anticipated
notion that between the Bible and evolution
there is state OF hopeless contradiction and
antagonism.
MORE HEREsY.
From the st. Louis Presbyterian, May Is. 1855.
II has invaded the Theological Seminary OF the
most conservative body of Presbyterlans IN Prcsby-
terian Scotland, and It's pronouncement Is up
plaudcd by the assembled ministers and iaymen.
THE EVOLUTION THEORY.
Ingving the opening address on the LIST instant
OF the United Presbyterian Church, Theological
Hail. Edinburg. the Rev. Prof Paterson discussed
the question. SIS the Science OF Biblical Interprcta-
ton Progressive like other Sciences or Is Il noty
The true reason. he said why the Bible would con.
tinue TO be living book to all coming generations
WINS that It's words kept growing In fullness Of
meaningin proportion to the growing intelligence
Of those who read them. They were thus. In the
deepest and most real sense: revelation not mere
iy 10 the generations that rs received bem but to
all succeeding genentions-a revelation which
gained In clearncss Of outline and In
fullncS Of detail with every increase Of
human knowledge whenccsoever obtained. The
srandest result that had been obtained from the
patient Investigations OF the thinkers and scientists
Of the past generation and OF the generation that
was just passing had been the establishment Of
the evolution theory as a living aud molding In
fluence. No one who had his eyes open TO the
signs Of the times could doubt that the most fruit
full Of all hypotheses-to use no stronger n term
was the evolution hypothcsis-tapplauscl- land
though not few OF the differences which Il was
supposed might be lcgitiinatcly drawn from Il had
been already proved false, II was nevertheless an
unquestionablc nct that the theory itself had not
onlybcen accepted by almost all the acknowledged
leaders OF thought but had been recognized. a.
all great truths were eventually recognized. by the
masses Of ordinary men Indeed, there was nc
cxaggention In describing this theory as the CHIEF
permanent contribution Of the nineteenth century
TO the thought and faith OF mankind. Applause
II certainly sounds queerly TO hear TIL
ArrEAL saying the same thing In part rs the
over-conscrvative type of Presbyterians who
like the Bourbon princes, may be said "tC
learn nothing and 10 forget nothing" But
80 Il is. And In the fact we find an illustra
ton Of the trite saying, extremes meet"
The exact point Of agreement between TIL
ArrEAL and the ultra-conseryative Presby
terians lies In the affirmation OF the sam,
premiss, viz Between the Bible and cyolu
ton there Is mutual contradiction and ex
clusion. The difference Is that they asscr
the truth OF the Bible, and therefore IN,
falsity Of evolution, while The ArPEAL as
crroneousness Of the Bible. The difference
is by no means unimportant, but unfor
tunately II Is the proposition In whicl
they agree that Is doing the mischief. Gu
young people by the 1000 and by tn
1900 are being taught that evolution
Is true. They see Il constantly asserted b.
such masters Of science rs Dana, Leconte
Gray and host Of Others. Hence, whei
THE ArrEAL and It's orthodox" friends con
vince these young people that between IN
Bible and evolution there Is a mutua
contradiction aud exclusion" you have don
much toward making infdels OF them.
wish that THE ArrEAL would make them sc
this important truth, for they will no; listei
| TO me.
Into the questions OF Biblical interpreta
ton raised by Tm ArrEaL, and disposed O
| quite snmmarily, no doubt, but TO it, cyidcn
satisfaction, we may not enter now and here
TnE ArrraI. | know, makes no pretcn
sions whatever 10 being an expert In IN
science OF exegesis, or 10 having reall
followed patiently the learned and rev
ercnt inquiries into the force and mennin
Of the Hebrew and Greek words and prasc
which the Presbyterian church has from Oh
beginning declared In its convent TO be IN
highest ultimate authority. (sce her owl
words In the Confession Of Faith, Chapter |
Paragraph 81 But perhaps II may be vel
In conclusion 10 copy the answer made by
great master to the question, what Is Oar
winismy' Prof 0ny, OF Harvard, who's
death on January 20 sent n pang Of sorro,
throughout the scientific circles Of Amcric
and Of Europe, Tits answers the question
pace sl-i0 Of his excellent little book, NAT
ural Science and Religion" Charles Serb
ner's Sons. New York;
"All animals vary more or less agricultui
lists improve domcsticaied animals by scleC
ton. What Is thus done by art Is done wit
equal efficacy, though more slowly, by ma
ture IN the formation Of varieties of man
Kind fitted for the country which they In
habit. and In this way; Negroes and mulal
toes enjoy immunity from certain tropIc.
diseases. and white men q comparative I'm
munity from those of cold climates. Unds
the variation common 10 NIL animals. som
Of the darker would be better adapted tina
the rcst 10 bear the diseases Of warm coun
try-ay, Of tropical Africa. This rac
would consequently multiply, while IN
Others would decrease directly, because IN
prevalent diseases would be more fatal ;
them. and indirectly by inability 10 conten
with their morc vigorous peighbon. Throug
the continued operation % the tame causes
darker and darker rsccs would prevail owe
the lcns dark. and In time would monopolis
tho region where they originated or In,
which they have advanced. Similarly woul
white races. 10 the exclusion Of dark, be d
veloped and prevail In cooler regions
Now, this simple prineiple-extende
from nces 10 species; from the present I
geological timr, from man and domcstlcate
animals 90 all animals and plants; frOi
struggle with disease 90 struggle for foo,
Cor room. and against the diverse hardship
which at times bcsct all living things. an