PRESENT ASPECTS OF THE QUESTION 17 



respecting evolution centre around the Bible, which is 



thus shown to be a formidable power in the world, and 



not a thing of the past, as some would have us suppose. 



{Jn this connection it is to be observed that the atti 



tude of the Bible is often misrepresented, since, though 



it affirms distinctly the creation of all things by the 



living God, it does not commit itself either as to the 



limits of species or as to any special doctrine with 



respect to the precise way in which it pleased God to 



make them. When we look at the details of the 



narrative of creation, we are struck with the manner 



in which the Bible includes, in a few simple words, all 



the leading causes and conditions which science has 



been able to discover^ 



For example, the production of the first animals is 

 announced in the words : God said, Let the waters 

 swarm with swarmers. l A naturalist here recognises 

 not only the origination of animal life in the waters, 

 but also three powers or agencies concerned in its 

 introduction, or rather, perhaps, one power and two 

 conditions of its exercise. First, there are the Divine 

 power and volition contained in the words, God said/ 

 Secondly, there is a medium or environment previously 

 prepared and essential to the production of the result 

 - the waters. Thirdly, there is the element of vital 

 continuity in the term swarmers that reproductive 

 element which hands down the organism with all its* 



1 This is, perhaps, the best word to express the meaning of the term 

 tforetg*mT&pidly multiplying or dividing creatures. 



B 



