The herald., 1895-02-03
THE FRIDAY MORNING CLUB
Interesting Paper by Mrs. n.
Burton Williamson.
A Discussion of the Ethical Factor IN
Evolution.
Drummond's Accent OF Man Reviewed.
Contrast Betw cen 1t and Dar-
wins Descent of Man.

Again the sssembly-room of the Fris
day Morning club was crowded at its
meeting last Friday, when Mrs. M. Bar
ton Williamson read thoughtful, COM
prehensive and very able paper ON the
Ethical Factor in Evolution.
! Mrs. Williamson advanced the belief
that one OF the best traits in man Was
federation; that it was also one OF tns
best signs OF the timss. since it allowed
OF the possibility OF dispassionate dis
cussior by persons of differing beliefs
and that dogmatic assertion was giving
way to proofs. The speaker then 70
ferred to the conflict between religion
and science as remnant of barbarian
not yet wholly gotten rid of. and the
question was asked, are religion and
| science sntagonistic.
Science 10 knowledge of the cause
OF things; religion, a recognition of God
IS an object of worship, love and obed-
fence. The first studies natural .phe,
nomena, the second worehips the cauee
OF nature and natural phenomena. The
theory OF evolution is demanding recog-
milton in the theological world ; 1t 10 not
] incompatible with orthodox religion.
| Mrs. Williamson then spoks of the plan
| OF Drummond's ascent of man as being
based on Darwin's theories OF evolution,
and that the book is considered by some
critics to bs the most valuable contribu-
ton since Darwin.
Mrs. Williamson considers that Drum
mond's poetic imagery is one of hts
great charms He presents the growth
of ethics from protoplasm to the highesE
type OF man, and attempts to reconcile
evolution and Christianity. Some Of
the criticisms that can be made on the
book are that Drummond fails to credit
Darwin with his acknowledgements of
the ethical factor in evolution, and his
sltruism and that the book would be
improved il the introduction OF four
chapters were an appendix. Neverthe-
less it will attain a large circulation.
Mrs. Williamson thinks, bscauae the
subject is discussed in concise,
emphatic. yet idealistc manner, which
holds the attention and ia never prolix
or tiresome, and summary of the book
followed.
Drummond begins by tracing the as
cent OF the body from the protozoa, aud
the development OF the human habita-
ton from cave to mansion. AS being
typical of tbs evolution in the develops
ment of the mbryo, o physiological cell.
to the complex human body. One III
the astounding facts discovered by nod
ern science is that in their first embry-
otto form. all vegetables and animals are
indistinguieEabe from each other.
Drummond's manner of dealing with
the scientists story of evolution is al
ways interesting aad marked by pro-
gress-every change ia forward, but the
mystery of lie ia not removed, even
when the theory of evolution is ac-
cepted. His ideas in regard to the ori>
gin Of lie we're then reviewed in the
higher divinity, and the mystery OF the
creation, science does not contradict the
older version.
The arrest of development of hand
and eye, by the introduction OF tools
a,d spectscles; the facts that civiliza-
ton hss been reached by a sacrifice Of
the senses, and that civilized man has
dullsr hearing and weaker sight than
thai OF animals or savages were touched
on. The mention of increased devotion.
ment of the brain which mental evolu-
ton has succeeded physical evolution;
the dawn of the mind; the traces OF the
parent in the child, and the fact that
mind in animals is no longer disputed,
followed.
The speaker then drew comparison
between Darwin and Drummond; in
the former the great factor in mans
life was the struggle for existence: in
the latter it ia struggle for the lite Of
others, altruism, supreme transition
from self-love to aitruism or love Of
others. Drummond often makes altru-
ism and reproduction synonymous.
The cooperation in nature was then
referred to- the ethical significance Of
sex, rarely entertained problem, to
which Drummond adds little light: the
ethical significance OF maternity, svm-
pathy, tenderness and unselishnsss
being its direct outgrowth. The chapter
upon the evolution of the mother wss
spoken of as holding deep interest and
treated by the pen OF philosophical
poet rather than that of scientist,
Before the brain developed, ethioa
we're unknown, but the physical proc
ersmme completed. the ethical began
followed by domesticity. In the evo.
luton of the father, his love OF the child
was later development and the out-
growth of the family life. The family
ia the Masterpiece OF creation and evo-
luton.
The object of evolution is to make
more perfect beings. The object Of
Christianity Is alBO 10 make more DoFr
feet beings. Both have the same an
thor. the same end and work throurh
tho same spirit--love. Mrs. Williamson
closed her admirable paper by some nsr.
sonsl remarks regarding the helpful
ness Of Drummond's book. and the
points Of special value regarding the
duties OF marriage, the differing dutias
OF mother and father regarding thn
children, and the probability Of altru-
lem gaining ground.
The usual discussion followed. ana
that. with little business. occupied
the rest OF the session until IL o'clonk
when adjournment was made. Nert
Friday will be a musical morning. Rae-
thoven is to be the subject. Miss Kas.
w. Fuller will read q paper on bis ill.,
and works, after which she will nlsv
his great sonata in @ minor, opera IL
known as the Pathetique. Mrs. Shelhr
Tolhurst will sing an aria from hie ~
era Of FIdslis. Mr.. Frederick w. Biai.
will play polonase written by him n.
the cello, andsthe Misses Fuller IA
Mr.. Blair will play his trio op. |. M
for piano. violin and cello. >s
Anrostura Bttters makes health ana h4.,..
makes bright rosy cheeks and happinsss -
J. G. B. cisgert sens ASK your drueaist