Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-23
DIR. WOODROW ON EVOLUTION.
He Defends His Theory and il Answered
by Rev. DIR. Adams.

The largest congregation so far Of the General
Assembly OF the southern Presbyterian Church In
Baltimore gathered yesterday to hear the cues
ton OF evolution discussed by Rev. Jas. woodrow,
ID. d., and his prosecutors. They were not disap-
pointed. for there is considerable personalit in
the light DR.. woodrow questioned DR.. Adams
motives, and DIR. Adams said that DR.. woodrow
was not scientist and that he did and said varf-
Gus things that were unDeeoming a man OF his
position. DIR. woodrow has a great deal OF SYM
pathy among the ladies, but his opponents have
the voting strength Of the assembly.
In the continuation OF his speech yesterday DR..
woodrow said the Bible does not teach science.
ana 10 take Its language in scientific sense is to
pervert It's meaning. In the Bible there is nothing
that contradicts the belief that God Immediately
orought into existence each form independently,
or that contradicts the contrary belief that hav-
Ing originated one or two forms, he caused all the
others 10 spring from these IN accordance with
laws which ne ordained and makes operative. He
denied that he had subord1nated Scripture to
science. be accepted the authority OF the Scrip
lures as hnal and when he taught that Adam
PROBABLY had an animal ancestry, he did so after
ne mad shown that 1t might not be inconsistent
with Sacred Scripture.
to add another TO the mistakes OF the church re-
speeding science. few years ago he was branded
as hereto wao beloved that the earth was more
tnan SIX thousand years old, and he was branded
as hereto who taught, contrary to the universal
understanding OF the church, that God guided the
stars In their through the laws OF gravita
ton. so IL has been In other cases, and when the
church undertook TO decide scientific question on
Scriptural grounds IL has never failed to decide
wrong. The reason Is because the church has as
sumed the false principle that the Bible teaches
science.
Dr. Adams was the original prosecutor in the
case, and he appeared as one OF the respondents
for the synod OF Georgia. His speech was largely
personal and explanatory. At first he said he re-
sisted the prosecution OF Dr. Woodrow as he wished
10 give the doctor time 10 prove that Adam was
evOluted from some lower animal IL he could. He
said he supposed that DR.. Woodrow was a man OF
scientific mind and an independent thinker. 81
say now" he continued, shat there is not one
solitary position he has taken in the whole address,
not technical term he has used In 1t, for which
he Is not indebted to Others In the midst OF this
controversy he came TO me, and shaking his list In
my face, said: Il have taught this doctrine and
shall continue to teach IL. have 1000 people TO
whom am teaching IL, and you are responsible
for my teaching until you bring me TO trial. What
behalf and on behalf OF his friends, TO see him
come into the Augusta Presbytery and take
sides with his own party against
trial. That handShaking in my face left me no
other alternative but 10 bring him before the court
OF God for what believe 10 be error" Dr. Adams
argued against evolution, using logic and satire.
He traced the progress OF animal life until it
reached frog. ain some way or another he
said, this frog got ashore, and that, brethren OF
the assembly, was the landing OF your first anceS-
tor"
DR.. Adams had not concluded when the
hour for recess arrived Judge HeiSkill, OF Ten
neSSee, will speak for the defense, and Dr. Str1ck
Ter will make the closing argument for the prose-
cutiOn. DR.. Woodrow Will be allowed another
hour after the speeches are all in. 1t seems quite
row, and that evolution will be voted down. The
members OF the Southern Assembly Will 60 TO
Philadelphia by special train this afternoon to
take part in the centennial celebration.