The sun., 1897-03-14
VI.

In what position, then, since the discovery OF
evolution. or, to speak more broadly. since tho
recent revelations OF science. does Mr.. Goldwin
Smith consider that the theistic hypothesis Is
lefti Clearly there Is an end Of our faith so far
cosmogony is concerned. in tho sacred books
Of the Hebrews. from which our notions OF crea.
ton and the Creator have hitherto been largely
derived. Those books must now bo placed on
the same shelf with the sacred books OF other
races. With belief in n first cause, however,
the theory Of evolution need not interfere
Evolution cannot have evolved itself. II
is mode or process, not creative
force. Some power there must have been,
II We can trust tho indications Of our
intelligence on such n subject, to set evolution
on foot and to direct IL In its course II may
even be that evolution, as some say, gives us u
worthier idea OF tho majesty Of the Deity, who,
instead OF perpetual intervention, has, once for
I'll. commanded his agents. and endowed them
with the power to work out the universal plan,
At the same time, however, as Mr.. Goodwin Smith
points out, the Deity seems to be removed to an
immeasurable distance from us. 1t is difficult to
understand how we can retain tho practice OF
prayer, at least for anything material. Belief In
special Providence seems to DO prccluded abso-
lutely by evolution.
II no divine command, however, for tho prac-
OF the virtuous mans reward can be given,
moral philosophy must, 1t would appear, DO
content simply to take tho observation OF
human nature as its basis, and to build Its
system on the natural desires OF man, offer.
ing them such satisfaction as IL consist
cnt with the welfare OF the community and
the race. We naturally desire health. and to bo
healthy means to be temperate and continent /;
We desire for ourselves and our families the
means OF living, and to obtain them we must bo
industrious, frugal, and OF good repute; we do
sire domestic happiness and to attain II we must
practise tho domestic virtues; we desire the good
will OF our fellow mon, with the advantages
which 1t brings, and to obtain 1t VIC must prac
tisc tho virtues OF good members OF society and
good citizens. In Mr.. Godwin Smiths opinion
there is TO such thing as altrusm in the literal
sense OF that term. Self is present In all wo do
though tho self is that OF being who desires
love and fellowship as well as food and raiment
with which qualification the philosophy that
has resolved morality into self interest, though
much deridcd, would bo right enough. No
man ever really acts against what he appro-
hends at tho time TO bo his interest, although
his interest may lead him 10 sacrifice his animal
or individual to his domestic or social desires.
We are finally reminded by our author that
tho good which VIC do to others Yields us a
deeper and moro lasting satisfaction than tho
good which we do to ourselves, This he con-
sidcrs pregnant fact, ana he thinks that 1t may
indicate the purpose OF the author OF our nature
II our nature has an author, and TO promise a
social consummGtion before the close How far
devotion to the interests Of the race and heroic
or philanthropic action will be affected by the
departure OF theistic belief will be seen when the
Kingdom OF atheism or agnosticism has fully
come. In the Judgment Of Mr. Goldwin Smith.
however. 1t is not by such n figment as postum
nous fame that the hearts Of reasoning beings
will be lifted above selfish desires. Nor 10 1t
likely that trlbalisI,, however exalted or re-
inod by nationality and patriotism. win act AZ