The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-02

20, there's no danger. This is Chi
cago q great city, and we have good
laws, faithful policemen, impartial
judges and you need not be afraid
you'll be protected
Il think I'd rather not risk it, out
will sit up here, on little cloud, and
talk TO you
IAN right. But first of all, would
like to know your name.
My name is Lunarius, and, as
have already told you, my home IS
the Moon"
And / am Mr.. -------, a learned
Professor of one of the greatest coll
leges on Earth, at your service.
''WeI, Professor, / am fortunate III
meeting you for the purpose OF my
visit is to get information, and surely
you can tell me all l wish to know.
II think l can," answered the Pro-
fessor. What would you ike TO
know"
I'm the first place how old Is this
planet on which you live, called the
Earth 2" asked Lunarius.
That's a disputed question. There
is an old story to the effect that II
has been about six thousand years
since, what some people call 'Crea-
tion,' but modern science and, what
we term, advanced thought, have
opinion now, among the best inform
ed and most advanced thinkers and
scientists, is, that it has been millions
of years since this planet was formed.
Indeed, we are working on theory
now, with good prospects of establish
ing it, to the effect that it was never
made at all-but, that, away back or
millions of years ago, a little particle
of Sun-dust fioated off into space--a
particle so small it could not have
been seen with the natural eye; and
that little particle grew, as other par
ticles were attracted and adhered TO
it, until, in the course of the ages. ana
millions of ages. that rolled around. it
became globe, and the hab1tatlon OF
living beings"
"a most wonderful theory, Profess
sor; but l hope you will not be able
to establish it, for, where 1 came from
we firmly and gladly believe that
great Supreme E3eing--one whom we
call GoG-lnade all things"
1--WE have some old-time people,
called "old fogies," who think as you
do; but our learned men-our adj
Vanced thinkers-have cut loose from
those old-time notions they got from
what is called the Mosaic account of
creation, and, by the aid of science
are, as l have already said, evolving
a more sensible and reasonable
theory"
''Fhen, 1 suppose, you don't believe
in the story of Creation?" asked Luz
nariuS.
What do you mean by Creation 2"
the Professor asked, in reply.
THAT great Supreme Being, by
his almighty power. spake into exist
ence all the worlds, giving to each
sun and moon and star q place, and
appointing to each sphere of action;
and that all those worlds move by his
direction in perfect order and har-
mony; that he also made. in his own
likeness beings into whose nostrils he
breathed the breath of life, and they
became living souls"
80, we've had all that down here,
answered the Professor; but, as L
have already said, we are working on
a new theory-in fact. it is we'll nigh
established though some are not ready
just yet to admit ia theory to the
effect, that those beings, whom you
say were made by God, in his own
image, were, like the earth, evolved.
By which / mean-aS you may not
understand the definition of the word
evolve-that man, for instance, came
up from a very lowly condition. We
are not entirely sure, as yet, from
which he was evoked. the animal.
vegetable or mineral kingdom; but
theory of evolution
do you college Professors spend
you time down here discussing such
theories as that?" asked Lunarius.
What would it amount to. If you
proved that you sprang from a mon
key or a flee dog? Would it make
you think more of yourself if you
descendant of a pole-cat?"
Begging your pardon, Mr.. Lunar
iuS," said the Professor; 1--WE scientists
are not so much concerned about an
cestry as we are to discover the truth. :"
What are you trying to find OUT"
asked Lunarius.
1--WE are trying to prove that the
account given of Creation, in an old
book called the Bible, is all q myth;
and that, instead of the Earth's being
six thousand years old, it was here
millions and even billions of years
ago." said the Professor
well, suppose you prove that;
won't you, thereby, destroy the conf
dence of the people in that revelation
which has been given to your Earth p
asked Lunarius.
''We scientists don't place that esti-
mate upon what you are please to call
Revelation as they did in the days
of superstition; therefore, We do not
take into consideration what we may
or may not 90. we are trying TO eS-
tablish our theory" said the Professor,
with the air of one who is reckless of
consequences, SO he can make his side
good.
Suppose you establish all your
theories, will that improve matters D.
asked I.unarius.
II think so.' answered the Profess
sor
DO you think, Professor if you
can unsettle the faith OF your race in
a Great First Cause, a great and holy
God, a kind heavenly Father you will
have blessed that race? If you can
bring the Bible into contempt and
make yourselves believe that Moses
did not write the account of Creation.
contained in that Bible, will it make
your race better and happier? Ii you
can make it appear that no such man
as Moses ever lived, and no such being
as Jesus, to whom Moses and the
prophets did point, ever came into the
world, will it be a blessing to your
race? And if you can prove
Hold on, Mr.. Lunarius; you are
asking too many questions all at |
once" said the Professor.