DARWIN'S PLACE IN FUTURE BIOLOGY 33 



whole. Viewed from the eminence of his own example, we shall see 

 where he fell short and was led into error with as even an eye as we 

 shall see what he did that must endure as long as science itself shall 

 endure. 



Directing our question to the works themselves, this is the answer 

 that comes prompt and clear: Darwin convinced everybody competent 

 to judge the case on its merits that new kinds of plants and animals 

 originate naturally, not miraculously. He not only convinced experts 

 of this truth, but he gained for it a secure place in the great, irresistible 

 tide of common thought and life. Such was his supreme achievement. 

 Many of his ardent disciples have not been content to accept this, for 

 them, too modest appraisement of his work. They have said his true 

 greatness lies not in his having established the " mere fact of evolution," 

 but that he explained that fact — that he discovered the liow and why 

 of evolution. 



The verdict of inexorable time will refuse to Darwin the glory of 

 having really explained the origin of new species of organisms. It will 

 allow that he did much in this direction, but not greatly more than 

 others past and future have done and will do. Fame's recompense so far 

 .as this is concerned, Darwin will have to take share and share alike 

 with many a fellow workman. 



The question we have to consider is : Was establishing the truth of 

 evolution an achievement of such magnitude as to enroll its accom- 

 plisher among those who belong beyond peradventure to all the ages? 

 My answer is, yes. The reason for the answer, reduced to smallest com- 

 pass, is that in doing this Darwin brought into the fold of observation 

 and rational thought the latest and greatest ingredient of reliance on 

 the order of nature, of belief in the infinite whole of things, of faith 

 in the dignity and destiny of man. We here approach one of those vast 

 realms of truth and human concern, the earliest visions of which are 

 always gained by those geniuses known to us as prophets and poets. 

 " Faith is the substance of things not seen," said in essence the phi- 

 losopher disciple. 



Faith, that meets ten thousand cheats 



Yet drops no jot of Faith! 

 Devil and brute Thou dost transmute 



To higher, lordlier show, 

 Who art in sooth that lovely Truth 



The careless angels know! 



*s v 



So speaks England's foremost living poet. 



Darwin, more perhaps than any other single man of science, con- 

 tributed to the incarnation of the truth presented here as vision; and 

 only in so far as it is incarnated does it become daily bread for com- 

 mon men. Through such incarnations alone are men convinced that no 

 lawlessness exists or ever has existed anywhere in nature, that nothing 



VOL. LXXVI. — 3. 



