Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-01-03
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1902.
EVOLUTION.

EVOLUTION.
We understand that the Rev. Mr.. Phil.
lips of Rutland, in his sermon at the
Congregational church, Middlebury, sew
eral Sundays since, in referring to evOlu-
ton, claimed that some eyoutionists had
changed their position, holding now that
the evolution was in the idea.
This. suggestion is made in "Ellen.'
And we remember when returning from
Boston last summer with our first bound
copy of ELLEN, meeting Mr.. Phillips on
the cars, and showing him the book,
especially referring to its argument on
evolution. But we do not claim to be
what is called an evolutionlst; and we
should bel very'glad to learn from Mr..
Phillips, or otherwise, who of those
called evolutionists have ever so defined
evolution. This suggestion enters the
general argument on evolution in
''Ellen," as follows:
~"But," said, "Ellen, is it not possible that
the principle of evolution exists in the intel.
lect;"
"1umust so exist if it exists.anywhere; for it
is there that all things are created"
"And how does Ellen know thls?" | asked.
"From the perception of the workings of
intellect" she answered. "Nothing can be
more certain.than that all which man makes,
or that all those things of whose making we
nave knowledge, ,Ol iginate in the intellect.
The inference is beyond question that all
things so originate. The thing produced
comes from an.idea, as an organism. from a
seed.
"The beginning of every thing is conception
by intellect. This is the Idea, or model.
Then follows the exercise of WILL also con.
nected with intellect, determining ;hat the
thing conceived shall be created, and creating
it. If, them any evolution takes place. it
must start in the intellect, either in the con.
ception of the idea of which it would become
4 part; or by succession of ideas, indie
pendent Of nut suggested by, each Other, an |
in that sense evolved from each other. For
an idea is Il thought, the 'productiOn of mind,
ana mind in its action follows certain laws.
Thus similar things suggest similar. But
there would appear to he no stronger prin.
ciple I'm the Opcration,of mind than that the
perception of anything suggests improve
ment. 1t also suggests variety. When Ellen
examines the things made by man she finds
this is universal. The different kinds of
chairs, the different kinds Il crockery, the
different kinds OF houses, the different kinds
OF carriages are many, almost endless, and
often, though not always, are constantly
being added to. Ana the same is true of any
thing and all things made by man. But this
is precisely what oCculs in nature in the eX.
istences OF the universe, whether these be
spheres Or vioets. The universal law here
as with man, IS variety and Improvement
Ana therefore by the ordinary laws of intel
lect everything which exists Is explained
We see that principle of evolution, or sue
cessive creation, is natural to the intellect
1t Is evident, too, that the Idea is capable OF
including II certain amount of evolution OF
growth. Thus is illustrated in all life, which
passes through certain phases of develop
ment ard includes within the sphere Of II,
creation the principle of reproduction. Tn,
question then becomes. Where are the
limits of the use of such principeiin the order
of creation? This Ellen thinks; that thos,
limits are not so much in the power of God a,
in the judgment of God. = For nature .away,
adopts the simples ST and best methods.
at is the principle in Daturelof oneIthing a
time. The oldiPine thinks that the prin
ciple of many things at time would be
great deal better, doesn't he? Thus in natur,
the law is to do one thing mt Il time; n or caI
anyone go very far away from that principle
one cannot tplay n piano.andi read Greek a
the same time; certainly not to much advan
tage. But he may to the best advantage dc
either one OF them. And so it would be i'm
learn to play on plano at the same time
The old Pine probably supposes that to Learn
everything at once.would be a much bette
SYSTEM"
mo-" said, "theold Pine was always Sc
much impressed with the beauty and ma esty
OF thel universe that he has never ever
thought OF its methods being improved"
at is governed in tins way" she said "ant
the old Pine and Ellen can't do but one thinl
- at a time, or make but one thing at a time, t
any advantage.
"And the old Pine must remember that!th,
question is not what method Mr.. Darwin o.
any one else considered the best for makins
creations, but how this one in which we fine
ourselves is made.
THAT nothing can happen without Il suhi
cient cause is another fundamental principl,
OF creation. The sufficient cause for the idea
or model, is the intellect. But materia
things take place only through materia
causes. And therefore wherever materia
evolution exists the seeds or germs of 1t mus
exist in the primitive matter or materia
from which 1t springs. Thus, If "A chair is t
become bed, the machinery must be in
cluded in the chair to make the transforma
ton. Under no other suppOsition is the thinl
conceivable. And thcI efore wherever mate
rial evolution exists the seeds or germs OF /
must exist. So that If evolution was true, O
so far as it is true, there must be included il
the primitive matter, from which any evolu
ton begins, the seeds or germs of everything
evolved from il; excepting possibly som,
few unimportant conditions which might b.
added by external causes. And then Their
would have to be also included anothe
principle that would prevent The develop
ment of all but certain germs, ut any on
time.
"Perceivlng this. Mr.. Darwin wrote
I'VE are led to believe, as formerly ex
planned that every character which coca