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BRITISII ASSOCIATION, MEETING AT EXETER. 289 
found affinity of the higher creatures. "The purpose of this affinity was 
to be found iu the glory of God. The cherubim, the four typical 
creatures, ceased not, they were told, to give their Creator glory. Who 
could say there was no power in the lower animals, conscientiously it 
might be, also, to glorify God? If any one said this was a mysterious 
mode of treating the subject, what, he asked, could they have but 
mystery? The more mysterious the answer, the more likely it was to 
be true. Mr. Darwin's theory referred natural uniformity to a uni- 
versal parentage, his to a universal pattern. Natural selection, under 
the latter, would still have its proper place. Dr. Darwin’s view as to 
the origin of species was not necessarily irreligious, but his own facts 
upset it, showing that there was a special divine superintendence of the 
organic world." The Archdeacon in no way impugned the well-earned 
reputation of Mr. Darwin as an observer, 
“ The Difficulties of Darwinism.” By the Rev. H. O. Morris. In 
this paper it was contended that Mr. Darwin, in his book on the 
* Variation of Species, was guilty of a non sequitur,—his argument 
being that because many mere varieties had their origin in one com- 
mon ancestor, all species were to be thus accounted for. Mr. Morris 
held that there was abundant evidence that when left to themselves, 
cultivated varieties of animals and plants returned to the original form, 
which if they had not been cultivated, they would not have lost. Mr. 
Darwin had never proved the creation of a new species. A number of 
quotations were made militating against the idea that man had arisen 
from a state of barbarism to one of civilization, and favouring the 
opposite theory that savage tribes were the product of degradations. 
** Philosophical Objection te Darwinism, or Evolutionism.” By the 
Rev. Dr. M‘Cann. ‘The author urged that belief in evolutionism 
meant materialism, and the denial of the soul and immortality,—nay, 
even atheism. This he held to be proved by the writings of Professor 
Huxley. Philosophy had a right to be heard on this subject, not only 
on account of its importance, but because of the uncertainties of science. 
Dr. M‘Cann then proceeded to assert his position; which was, that 
the affirmations of consciousness were unquestionable, and that any- 
thing that contradicted an affirmation of consciousness was false. 
Evolutionism did contradict many of these affirmations, and was there- 
fore false. Evolutionism also denied responsibility and morality. He 
argued further, that the continuance of the non-selected forms, with 
