The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1894-02-24
EVOLUTION AS A THEORY
Drs Hartigan Entertains and Instruets
a Large Audience With Learn.
ed Discussion OF Natural
Seiepea

Science.
OF ali the lectures that have vel
been given on the Banner course
none, perhaps. has been received
with as much satisfaction as that OF
DR.. Hartigan's entitled, Evolution
as Theory" which he delivered to
a large audience Thursday evening
last week at Commencement Hall.
Every one seemed anxious to hear
what he had to say upon this
very celebrated, often quoted and
much misunderstood question
Recognizing, as be did, that the
subject was one upon which few were
posted, be carefully worded every
sentence and left no room for criti-
cism upon what he said. The first
half hour of his talk was defense
of the theory of evolution, in so far
as it presented nothing that could
be construed to conflict with the
Bible. He showed clearly how the
theory rested upon special creation
and wherein the two go hand in
hand instead of being in juxtaposi-
ton, as many would have it. The
Monistie and Dualistic theories of
philosophy were shown to be one
and the same when revived by an
impartial student of nature. This
he regarded as one of the most i'm
portant points connected with the
question of evolution and progress
sion. After he had satisfactorily
disposed of all the preliminaries, he
proceeded to outline the history of
evolution, which he showed to be as
old as the human race. having been
outlined and strongly maintained by
Aristotle, whose works, though some
what incorrect in detail, and yet
studied by scientists on account of
the gems of thought which they con-
tain. He gave a short but clear ac-
count of its great apostles, the evil
dences they had collected. the theo-
ries which they had promulgated
and established, showing that the
theory of evolution was a great sym
metrical theory evolved from a cha
otto mass of facts by the greatest
thinkers the world has ever produc
ed. Darwinism, he says, is only the
continuation one step further of a
theory that had for centuries before
been the battle ground for many in
tellectual giants that had preceded
him. His account OF Darwin's class
ification of man and the ape, and
their afiinity-their Improvement by
natural selecti9n-was the happiest
bit of his evenings talk His hum
orous parallels oflikeness and differ
ence between the monkey and man
elected many bursts Of applause.
The volume of evolution, he continu-
ed, is the greatest book yet written,
of which the hundredth part has
never been translated. The geolo.
gist, the mineralogist, the naturalist,
and the botanist all have their chap.
tiers to contribute before the ques-
tion can finally be settled once for
all. His well drawn figures of de
velopment and progression Of plant
life in the natural world, the trans
formation from protoplasm to the
highest cultivated flower of the hor-
ticulturist'ts garden, with all the
complete links in the great chain,
were beautiful and expressive His
entire range Of Thought was far re-
moved from the ordinary mind of the
everyday man of the world. Through
out the entire lecture be refrained
from INDUCING in TECHNICAL names,
bat on the other hand clothed his
thoughts in clear, pure and oft
en- nowery diction, which is well
nigh an impossinility to the great
majority of scientific lecturers His
vivid account of the idiosyncrasies
and peculiarities Of some of the
worlds great geniuses was made
much more impressive by his ges
lures and powers of mimicry, which
he possesses in very remarkable de-
gree After tracing man to his pres
ent dignified state be ventured few
speculations as TIC what probably
awaited him beyond the twilights
"purpling shadows" Suffice it TO
say, he had no words of encourage
ment for those who maintain that
death ends all. The more" he saws,
that l study this question the more.
firmly | become convinced there is
place of reward and punishment for
the human soul" His closing sen
fences were one continual strain OF
grand thoughts, fguratively express
ed. Every one expressed himself
highly pleased and royalty enter
tanned, which is as high compli-
ment as can be paid to platform
lecturer The lecture committee de
serve vote of thanks for securing
for the students and people man
whose ability is recognized along
this line in the highest scientific soci-
cites in the land. DR.. Hartigan is a
young man with bright future,
and who our people hope to hear
from again.