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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



of this grand universe of which we form a part, nobler views of the 

 manner in which it has been developed in past times to its present 

 state, nobler views of the laws by which it is now maintained, nobler 

 expectations as to its future. We stand in presence of the un- 

 shackled, as to Force ; of the immeasurable, as to Space ; of the un- 

 limited, as to Time. Above all, our conceptions of the unchange- 

 able purposes, the awful majesty of the Supreme Being, become 

 more vivid. We realize what is meant when it is said, "With Him 

 there is no variableness, no shadow of turning." Need I say any- 

 thing more in commending the doctrine of evolution to you ? 



Let us bear in mind the warning of history. The heaviest blow 

 the Holy Scriptures have ever received was inflicted by no infidel, but 

 by ecclesiastical authority itself. When the works of Copernicus and 

 of Kepler were put in the Index of prohibited books, the system of 

 the former was declared, by what called itself the Christian Church, 

 to be " that false Pythagorean system, utterly contrary to the Holy 

 Scriptures." But the truth of the Copernican system is now estab- 

 lished. 



There are persons who declare of the hypothesis of evolution, as 

 was formerly declared of the hypothesis of Copernicus, " It is utterly 

 contrary to the Holy Scriptures." It is for you to examine whether 

 this be so, and, if so, to find a means of reconciliation. Let us not be 

 led astray by the clamors of those who, not seeking the truth and not 

 caring about it, are only championing their sect r or attempting the 

 perpetuation of their own profits. 



My friends, let me plead with you. Don't reject the theory of 

 evolution. There is no thought of modern times that more magnifies 

 the unutterable glory of Almighty God ! Remember, I beseech you, 

 what was said by one of old times : " Ye men of Israel, take heed to 

 yourselves what ye intend to do. And now I say unto you, if this 

 counsel be of men it will come to naught ; but if it be of God, ye 

 cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found to be fighting against 

 God" shall I continue the quotation? " and to him they all 

 agreed ! " 



We often hear it affirmed that our a^e is becoming more and more 

 irreligious, and that men wantonly reject sacred things of which their 

 ancestors approved. But I think we may profitably inquire whether 

 very much of this is not due to the profound changes that are taking 

 place in our conceptions of the Supreme Being ? Things and acts 

 which at one time men attributed to him without hesitation, they can 

 attribute to him no more. They have learned to demand of every 

 dogma, " Is it derogatory to the awful majesty of God ? " 



These modifications of opinion have had no little to do with the 

 progress of the subject we have been considering. Let us ever bear 

 in mind that the doctrine of evolution has for its foundation not the 

 admisssion of incessant divine interventions, but a recognition of the 



