Widnes Examiner. — 1883-05-26 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

LECTURES ON CHRISTIANITY AND SCIENCE AT NEWTON.  Mr. Thomas Cooper (the author of "The Purgatory of Suicides" and other publications) preached both morning and evening on Sunday last in the Congregation Church, Crow-lane, Newton, to large congregations. On Monday evening, a large number of persons assembled in the schoolroom to hear a lecture by Mr. Cooper, the subject being "Charles Darwin : in what his real greatness consisted, wherein his theory of Natural Selection' lacks proof; a protest against the grovelling and degrading doctrine that man comes out of the beasts." The chair was occupied by the Rev. James Allatt, pastor, and among those present were the Rev. J. M. Faifbourn (of Earlestown), Messrs. B. B. Glover, P. M. Campbell, J. Roberts, etre., and also Mrs. Evans.—After the meeting bad been opened with singing and prayer, the CIZAIRMAN said Mr. Cooper had again honoured them in visiting that district, and by services rendered in connection with that churc'e on the previous day. He knew those who had come together attracted by the name and fame of Mr. Cooper, and the interest attaching to his subject, would give to him that cordial attention which both he and his subject demanded.—Mr. COOPER commenced by remarking that what was called the civilised world seemed to be losing its celebrities, and in a most unusual way. Prussia had yet its Bismarck, but it was said he was confined to his bad; France had lost her Gambetta. Italy had lost her Garibaldi, and there was no one to take their place. I'Ve in this country had lost our Thomas Carlyle, Benjamin Disraeli, and Charles Darwin, and now there was but the grand old man, Mr. Gladstone, left—the last of the giants. Charles Darwin was a man very much thought of, and very much valued by scientific men a long time before he became to be celebrated, which he did in the year 1869, when he published his book "The evolution of species," and which set the world on fire. In alluding to Darwin'e early days, he said he studied nature in all its varieties, corresponding with geologists, botanists, mineralogists, zoologists, and all kinds of men of science. He studied everything that was passing in order to become thoroughly well acquainted with all science. He observed that Chas. Darwin in his writings had not given the slightest indication that lie had adopted Christianity, but they must not pronounce a final judgment upon the question before the volume of his last letters were published by his son. They mast be thankful that such a man had existed, who had searched the whole scope of nature and worked so diligently as he did. He was a true philosopher, and never stated anything as a positive fact but as his theory. They could not limit the mind of men, and did not know what he would vet do. He had done such wonderful things and manifested such a wonderful power that they could not tell yet what he would not do. The lecturer then proceeded to give a summary of the views of Mr. Darwin, remarking that the latter gentleman had maintained that his system of "natural selection" came only into use when it became useful to the creature and improved its condition. In contrast to Darwin's theory, he (the lecturer) maintained that we had not descended from apes, that it was not said to an ape, whatsoever an ape soweth that shall he also reap. An ape had no conscience, and there was no evolution in plants, because they coald never change their real nature. Christ was crucifieel for men, but never for a gorilla or ape. We were responsible beings, and this earth was not our final state. We were here on probation, and if we did not mind certain rules we should suffer in this world, but a more terrible retribution awaited us in the next world. It WM in vain to deny man's spiritual nature. God was a spirit, and it was said that they that worshipped Him must worship Him in spirit.—A collection was then made, and the meeting concluded with the Benediction.  "Is life worth living " formed the subject cl Mr. Cooper's second lecture in the Congregation School, Crowlane, on Tuesday evening. There was again a fair attendance, and the chair was occupied by the Rev. J. Allatt. The meeting was opened with singing and prayer, Immediately after which the Chairman called upon Mr. Cooper to deliver his address. Mr. COOPER, at the commencement, alluded to the difference in the periodicals of to day and those when he was a boy, and said serious subjects were taken up now which were never thought of then, such as for instance the question "If life worth living—is life worth haring ?" If they asked that question of a really hippy man he would answer at once that it was worth living, as it was a very pleasant thing. Speaking of John Stuart Mill, he asked what had he to lead him to think that life wee not worth living. They found there were some people who thought that the very fact of death being in the world stamped a doubt • upon it, but it was sheer nonsense to think that God could not make life pleasant because there was death in the world. What a world this would have been ha.d no one died in it. There would not have been room for all who had lived, and what a sight it would have been to see huge creatures, dogs, and beasts crawling upon the earth, and human beings with palsied limbs and affected with all kinds of disease. Tngy must take life as it was, because they could not make it any better by sitting doe,n and weeping in time of trouble. They must gird up their loins and meet trouble. He maintained that the life of a child and youth were worth living, and said the thought came over adults that they would like to be young again. There was much to be done in youth if they would only do it, and a life worth living depended upon the liver of the ' life. Youth was the season of enjoyment if the youth went the right way about it, but it would not be the right way if he indulged in gambling, drinking, and such evils. There were many things in life to make it worth living. They should practice self-denial, for nothing could be 8cm:0111:shed