132 Contemporary Evolution. 



chapters, altogether without reference to the truth of that 

 religion, and from the standpoint of natural science 

 only. 



The accelerated advance of physical science is the 

 "commonplace" of our day. That it will address itself 

 with augmenting power to increasing audiences is certain. 

 Not less certain is it that, as before pointed out, theo- 

 logical questions are more and more calling forth zeal 

 and energy in regions where a quarter of a century ago 

 apathy and stagnation largely prevailed. Manifest, again, 

 to the most cursory observer is the wide divergence of 

 views and sentiments between large numbers of those 

 more especially devoted to one or the other of these fields 

 of activity. In the first chapter it was sought to pourtray 

 and symbolise this divergence as concretely embodied in 

 a mediaeval abbey and a modern museum. How marked 

 such divergence appears to the average middle-class mind 

 in England to-day is evidenced by the contrast drawn 

 by the Times between the British pilgrimage to Paray-le- 

 Monial and the succeeding British Association meeting. 

 It was evident that, in the writer's opinion, there would 

 be more or less inconsistency in any one taking part 

 with full sympathy in both those gatherings. 



To those who think that such divergence of sentiment 

 has its foundation in the intellect and is the expression of 

 a real and necessary rational divergence, the effect of the 

 further progress of evolution cannot be doubtful. Those 



