282 TRANSACTIONS OF THE NORTHERN 



As we account for geological revolutions by observing such gradual 

 changes now in operation, as would produce given results if long con- 

 tinued, may we not also account for specific changes by studying the 

 nature of such known divergencies in living organisms as would produce 

 a specific distinction, if continued for a sufficient duration of time ? 



We can conceive of no natural process by which living forms orig- 

 inate, except through a line of progenitors; and we do know that both 

 animal and vegetable life are subject to variations or modifications con- 

 sequent on a change of conditions, under which they exist. And 

 geology reveals that in all past time the earth's crust has been under- 

 going a constant succession of physical changes ; hence, that living 

 forms have been subject to a succession of modifying influences for a 

 duration of time as incomprehensible as eternity itself. What else 

 could have been the inevitable result, except an endless diversity of liv- 

 ing forms? 



It matters not that the changes in organic forms are extremely slow : 

 so are geological changes extremely slow. It matters not that the 

 present diversity of life is extremely great : so has the time in which 

 these wonderful evolutions have been effected been incomprehensibly 

 long. Though great is the diversity of life, through all that diversity 

 there is a unity of plan, that seems to reveal the bond of a common 

 relationship. 



I am aware that to the minds of many excellent people these ideas 

 are very repugnant. This is no more than should be expected ; such 

 has been the case with every scientific discovery that conflicts with 

 tradition ; people are still nervous lest they may be led to believe 

 something that is contrary to Genesis. Well, does that account tell us 

 that God made these things independent of natural agencies.'' On the 

 contrary, it reads, "And God said. Let the earth bring forth grass," etc.; 

 "Let the tvaters bring forth abundantly the creatures that hath life." 

 How did God create these creatures that have life .'' He ordained that 

 the waters should bring them forth through those inherent laws that are 

 the out-flow of his infinite wisdom. 



And further, we learn that God ordained that the earth should 

 bring forth living creatures, cattle, and every thing that creepeth upon 

 the earth. That is what the Bible says about the means or natural agen- 

 cies, through which God accomplished the physical creation of every 

 thing that moveth in the waters or creepeth upon the earth. 



Strange that people who will go to the Bible to settle scientific 

 questions do not read it more carefully ! 



If we are ignorant of the origin of living forms, let us in all human- 

 ity say so ; and not seek to cover up our ignorance with the hypothesis 

 of a special creation — something that we know still less about. 



In the present lack of knowledge in the sciences in which this 

 question is involved, with the bias of traditional notions hanging over 

 the public mind, it need not be a matter of surprise that generally only 

 vague, erroneous ideas prevail on this whole subject. If we have not 



