Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-23
EVOLUTION IS NO LONGER
MERE THEORY, ASSERTED
Truth Is Recognized by Great
est Scholars, Declares
Rev. Frank Pratt.
PASSES PERIOD or DEBATE:
Principles Taught In All Great Nom
sectnrian uniYernitics of World,
Unitarian Congregation Is Told In
ScrmOn-I.ccture.

Rev. Frank Pratt, Of the Unitarian
Church. spoke last night upon The
Evolution OF Man" This was the
fourth in his series Of Iecture-ser-
mons upon The Principles and
Proofs OF Evolution" lie said. In
part:
God creates through the processes
OF development. Hc did not bring
forth suns and planets ready made.
Neither did he bring forth man ready
made. He worked ages for tho for
nation of sun and earth. His pro-
ccsses were maturing through the
ages in the formation OF humanity
Evolution is no longer mere the
DRY. 1t is an accepted principle
throughout the scientific world The
methods of evolution may still be
under discussion. but the fact OF cvo-
luton has passed the period of de-
bate among scientists Evolution is
not only accepted throughout the
scientific world. but It's truth also is
recognized by the greatest scholars.
and its principles are taught in all
the great nonsectarian universities
OF the world.
Does Not ChnnEc RcnIity.
1T is not 4 question whether YOU
Ike the idea OF evolution or not: the
question is whether or not Il is true
You may not like the germ theory OF
disease. but that does not change its
reality. Those who do not ike the
idea OF evolution are usually those
who have not entered into it's spirit
a mi M atttrr -.
In the light OF evolution. Is the mos,
romantic CHAPTER In the history OF
Coo 8. creation. AS we study Gods
ow-moving purposes. they become
hiied with Significance and In
SEPARATION which thrills the rcvcrent
SOU. We do not doubt that God could
have created man full grown. In an
instant of time, but we are assured.
through sufficient evidence. that He
did not. The process was long one
which can tie traced through tho
crer-ascending tree OF life
when one considers the matter
seriously. II would seem as honorable
10 be made by God out OF the great.
sublime stream OF life as to be made
by Him out OF earth. The fact that
man was made by God out OF life be-
comes noble. rather than an ir-
nob.e. conception the moment one
traces the wonderful journey, OF 5O,-
100000 years or much more. from the
primal cell until man stands upon his
feet and looks up TO God When wc
realize that the Almighty God has
been working through the measure
less ages that we may walk upright.
In
our hearts, then there comes a new
meaning TO human life.
Describe MensureIeas Journey.
Some time great poet la coming
who will describe this measureless
Journey over which God has led life
until He has brought forth the eli
max OF HIS creation-humnnity. He
VIII describe II In such words of
meaning and grandeur that the splen-
dor and Inspiration OF IL nil will
sink into our minds and hearts and
we shall appreciate. as never before.
what 1t means to belong to the hu-
man race.
But we are not human yet. God Is
stun working TO lift us out Of the
animal. Many of the old animal
brutalitics still hold sway. We growl
and scratch and bite even among our
selves. At certain periods OF our his
tory the earth has been soaked with
blood. But God hns not forsaken His
task When the first primal cell came
into being. God was dreaming OF an
ideal humanity. Through all the I'M
numbered ages. as life rose ever
higher and higher. 1t was perfected
humanity which was prophesied. God
Will finish His work He always
does. But His work is fastened
through human cooperation"