The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-18
NATURAL AND SPIRITUAL LIFE.
The ScripturaI View of the Origin of
Life.
New York Observer.

New DIRK observer.
There are those who maintain that life
can be developed or evolved from lifeleSS
matter If the conditions are favorable
According to this theory the different king
doms of nature represent different stages
of progress along the line of this develop
ment; the mineral pushes up into the veg
etable, and the vegetable pushes up into
the animal kingdom, and each is closely
connected with the other.
Others maintain that life cannot be
evolved from lifeless matter, no matter
how favorable the conditions NAV be Life
must be the product of antecedent life
While every kingdom in nature NAV have
much in common with every other there is
no direct connection. The mineral kingdom
stands by itself-it is lifeless and cannot of
itself take on life The vegetable kingdom
stands apart, and no form of vegetable life
can be so highly cultivated as to become
animal. The vegetable. indeed, has life but
its form OF life is separate and distinct
from animal life. There is a great gulf
fixed between each kingdom and the next
higher-a gulf that cannot be bridged from
the side of the lower to the higher but
which must be spanned from the side of the
higher to the next lower. The mineral can
not push up into the vegetable realm, but
the vegetable can send its roots down into
the sphere of the mineral and take up its
properties into its own life
There is corresponding difference of
opinion with regard to the origin of spir-
itual life. Some maintain that il is merely
the higher development of natural life the
result of care and culture and training In
dom of Christ his mind must be develoDed
that he may think right. and he must be
surrounded by wholesome moral Influences
that his character may be properly formed
and that he may be led TO do right The
natural man. by dint of effort pushes I'm
into the spiritual as the mineral pushes mn
into the vegetable realm. This view is ex-
ceedingly pleasing TO many. because IL is So
flattering TO human nature. Men like 10
work themselves up into a state of fitness
for heaven.
Others. and they comprise the so-caIIed
orthodox or evangelical churches hold that
spiritual life is not the result of care and
culture and favorable environment The
Importance of such influences to the devel-
opment of character Is duly recognized
But when they have produced their highest
and best results, spiritual life is not vet
attained. You may have much better
man than befOre-the finest specimen OF a
natural man that can be found ANYWHERE
but he Is not spiritual man. and does not
belong TO the kingdom of Christ.
Those who hold 10 the former view with
respect 10 the origin of natural life cannot
demonstrate their position. And those who
hold TO the corresponding view with regard
TO the origin OF spiritual life plainly have
not Scripture on their side. Christ said:
Except man be born again. he cannot
see the kingdom of God. That
which is born OF the flesh Is flesh and that
which IL born OF the spirit is spirit" Spir-
itual life Is the gift of God. Sinful man
cannot work his way back TO God. no mat
ter how hard he tries. God musr reach
down 10 him and lift him up and bring
him back.