The San Francisco call., 1904-03-22
CLERGY TABOO
DARWIN THEORY
Mans Evolution From Low
er Animals Is Argued
Before Ministerial Body
DIR. MORGAN ISEXTOLLED
DivineS Take Steps to Invite
Evangelist to Revisit the
City TO Spread the Gospel

City TO Spread the Gospel
CIergynen Of the evangelical denom-
nations were out in force at their
weekly association gatherings yester-
day.
The Pres sbyterian ministers met IN
the morning at the Presbyterian House,
sacramento street, and listened to
well studied and interesting review on
A. NJ Fairbairns Philosophy Of the
Christian Religion by the Rev. ]. NJ.
MacInnis.
Rev Mr MacInnis took exception to
the manner in which the theories Of
Nr Fairbairn seemed to him TO be
inconsistent with his own philosophical
IDEALS in learning. Mr. Fairbairn being
Too hard upon critical and evolutionary
theories.
The Rev Mr. MacInnis contended
thar the true philosophy Of religion is
to be found i'm man created in the
IMAGE Of Cod whose capacities were
fully demonstrated in Jesus.
He called attention TO the fact that
tha Darwinisn evolutionary theory,
which predominated all scientific re-
search fifteen years ago, is now being
rejected by the great German scien-
lists
This age. said the speaker. is char
acto1ized by much literary activity and
Iamentablc barrenness Of great liter
ature ] am OF the opinion that Fair
BARNS book is one Of the greatest in
is department.
In the discussion that followed the
reading of the paper the Rev. f. K.
Strong declared that he had little pa
thence with the theory Of mans evolu-
tion from the lower animals
COP MADE 4 COMPLETE MAN.
re considered it a false statement
and a false doctrine and was satisfied
that cod knew what he was doing
when he made man in his image. The
speaker said that, though God made
complete man, he may not have made
perfect man.
The Rev. Richmond Logan said that
Fairbairn makes the statement that
man in his original form was half man
and half brute.
IN his savage state the Rev. Mr.. Lo-
gan considered that man was three
quarters brute and One-quarter man.
In that state he was capable Of sink
ing below the brute creature, for he
descended 10 brutalities and cruelties
not known in brute creation.
The Rev. James Woodwork added
to TIE speakers remarks by saying
with emphasis that they could find
men in this community below the
brute.
I'll d. A. ro--;or o5,,,i++a5 4be
greatness Of the book under ministerial
review. though he took issue with it in
the premises His opinion was that
Fsirbairn Interpreted Christianity too
much along the lines of comparative
religion, while Christianity was really
unique He was of the opinion that
The true conception Of advance in life
IS regeneration rather than evolution.
The Rev. Mr.. Bevier paid his COM
pIiments 10 the late Herbert Spencer,
whose agnOsticism he considered rot
ten TO the core" while he admitted
that some Of the philosophers thoughts
along scientific lines were worthy OF
consideration-
DR.. g. Campbell Morgan's evangel-
site services held in the city last week
were discussed on the initiative OF the
Eev. Mr.. Bevier, who pronounced the
service 4 distinct blessing TO San
Francisco.
a committee consisting Of the Rev
Mr. Bevier, Rev. Mr.. Strong and Rev
Mr. Herriott was appointed by the
chairman. the Rev Moses Bercowitz
10 arrange with the ministers of al
evangelical bodies for a return Of the
noted evangelist to San Francisco.
Among those present were: Rev
Moses Bercowitz. president of the
Presbyterian Ministers Association
Rev. r. x. Strong. Rev. J. r. Evans
Rev. J. NJ MacInnis. Rev c. c. Her
riOtt. Rev. H. y. Bevier Rev. James
Woodwork. Rev. r. Logan, Rev. F
A Boane, Rev. Mr.. Hays. DR.. McDon.
aid. Rev. Mr.. Sitton. Rev. Mr. Nash
Rev. ". McGeary and Rev. ]. NJ Nc
Elhenney.
EmOtionalism in Religion" was tn,
subject discussed bv the Rev. DR.. f
=. Brown Of the First NJ Z. Church
before the Methodist Ministers Asso
citation yesterday. DR.. Heacock pre-,
sided and there was a large attend
ance.
some Of the arguments that followed
had strong tendency toward DR.
Browns views and deprecated tn.
use Of artificial expedients in arousint
the emotions Of the congregation
While il was conceded that emotions
must be aroused 10 produce religion
life. the consensus Of opinion was tha
= anything was to be accomplished i
must be by the power Of truth and no
extravaganza
II was generally agreed that the gen
eral average intelligence of moderl
congregations made impossible ex
travagances Of ernotionalism so char
acteristic Of some revival services il
the past
BISHOPS ARRANGEMENTS.
The executive committee Of the mis-
sionary convention met yesterday aft
ernoon in EDworth Hall. DIR. G. T
Smyth in the chair
In order TO accommodate the peopl
on the eastern side of the bay it wa
resolved TO hold meetings in f1,a E-irs