M MODERN IDEAS OF EVOLUTION 



In endeavouring to secure this desirable result, we 

 must not take for granted the truth of the assertion 

 so often confidently made, that science is hostile to 

 religion. It is no doubt true that monistic and 

 agnostic evolution, and those forms of Darwinism 

 which follow the author of the system in negation of 

 the living God, are inconsistent with religion as well 

 as with all the higher interests of men. There may, 

 however, be a theistic principle of development ap 

 parent in all nature, and which represents what we 

 can perceive of the plan and methods of creation, 

 understanding by that word the making of all things 

 by Almighty Power, whether immediately or mediately, 

 through means of things already made, and laws 

 previously established. It may be said in favour of 

 this view that it gives an inexpressible dignity to man 

 and to science. It shows that the human reason 

 must be after the model of the infinite Divine reason, 

 that in scientific inquiry we are studying God s laws 

 and revelation of Himself in nature. Nay, more, if we 

 regard Christ as an incarnation of the Creator, we have 

 in Christianity itself a higher revelation of God, which 

 must be in harmony with nature ; and we shall have 

 a right to hold that the scientific investigator is doing 

 Christ s work and God s work, and, on the other hand, 

 that those qualities of humility, faith, sincerity, and 

 love of truth which God requires of His followers are 

 also those most profitable in scientific study, while 

 scientific habits of thought are of the utmost value in 



