Scientific Evolution. 159 



justified. Descartes forsook the old traditional teaching 

 as to the soul for speculative novelties of his own, which 

 have spread far and wide, with the natural result of dis- 

 gusting scientific physiologists with views erroneously 

 supposed to be specially orthodox. Here, however, we 

 are approaching the philosophical domain. 



To conclude, there appears much reason for supposing 

 that the process we have attempted to follow will be the 

 occasion indeed for the abandonment of Christianity by 

 many individuals, but that nevertheless the Church herself 

 will be strengthened and made, not only more capable of 

 self-defence on the scientific arena, but also more vigorous 

 and better armed for attack against adversaries who now 

 possess very great influence. We have here, in fact, an- 

 other aspect of the same process referred to in " political 

 evolution " that which renders bracing climates, rough 

 living, and absence of medical aid, beneficial to a " com- 

 munity," however fatal to "individuals," by killing off 

 weak members and reducing it to a compact community 

 of hardy and vigorous survivors. 



The doctrines of the Church, whether they are or are 

 not founded on fact, will at least receive an unexpected 

 and powerful support and justification, if it comes to be 

 demonstrated with regard to fresh scientific theories here- 

 after (as it has already been with evolution), that they are 

 powerless weapons as employed against her, she having 

 asserted beforehand principles amply sufficient to shield 



