The Washington herald., 1907-05-19
A LAY SERMON.
by A LAYSIAN.
Things ar, not what they sesm.-Lonsellov.

Things are not what they seem.-Lonsfellow.
The doctrine Of evolution Is very much
misunderstood, although the theory is
very old 1t does not assume simply, as
many persons suppose, that man has de-
scended from ancestors below the level OF
the present humanity.
1t means in reality the assertion Of pro-
gresslve spiritual truth in material forms.
II is the bringing Of the material to the
reflection Of the true. the beautiful. and
the good. Actual evil in the world has
been the subject Of discussion by theolo-
CLANS Of all ages. 1t cannot be denied
that this question is enveloped in almost
unfathomable mystery: but Il involves
another question Of great mystery; that
is. what was the origin Of goodness, OF
the impulse Of benevolence. and Of the
sense OF duty7 How came It In the strlIg-
gle Of the survival Of the flttest? Herbert
Spencer says II has an instinct Of self
preservation. The little bird or small in
sect feels or acts so as to show what is It's
intent upon the security OF its species. its
tribe. or its associates. But it assumes
an intelligence either conscious or i'm
planted in the bird or the bee, and so ac-
knowledges a dominant providence over
nature
Science Is now pursuit Of intelligence,
by intelligent persons devoted to the seek
ing OF truth. and its ultimate good is rea-
son. Science always looks for a law-for
rNnH III, -Fn 60, a
cause, and this cause must be intelligent.
II is asked by some. Why has not the
sll-powerful and all-wlse God prevented
the admission Of evil into the world
Plato, a pagan, centuries ago answered
this by endeavorlng to show that God has
given us the best Of all possible worlds,
and Leibnltz has followed his example IN
his answer to the question. They both
argue that there exists a primal difficulty
which can only he gradually overcome.
and this doctrine implies the whole theory
Of evolution. the gradual triumph Of the
best in all history, physical and human.
II also implies opposition between the
eternal force on the one hand and persist
ent will on the other.
The old idea Of fate as given rs IN Greek
poetry. and philosophy. from this derived
It's origin.
The theistic idea consists IN implicit
faith In the divine power 20 overcome evil
with good. On the contrary. the optimis-
tic theory Is antagonized by various con
sideratlons.
Science. though. has gradually led to the
recognition Of Providence over the doc
trine Of fatality.
Fatalism finds an expression I'm what is
known as matcrialism. sometimes com
mercialism, and. in general pessimism.
But at last we must depend upon what
may term the philosophy Of life
II all eliminates IN each one doing HIS
duty. The old Stolcs, Greek and Roman.
went as far as human nature could 20
without the belief in an overruling Provi-
dence. They achieved everything except
happiness.
We are now taking I'D the problem. but
We have the advantage Of later scientific
knowledge Science has made many nota-
bic discoveries, and has taught US 70 dis
count sense impressions. and that com
mon sense. as Huxley has said is but
another name for common ignorance"
No doubt the tone and temper Of life
have been injuriously affected by a false
or partial theory Of evolution So We may
hope they will be reformed and greatly
elevated by the true theory-when it shall
come