214 Contemporary Evolution. 



from century to century grown on and on in one pro- 

 gressive process of increasing integration. The evolu- 

 tionist, recognising the First Cause everywhere, and also 

 (if a consistent follower of Mr. Spencer) recognising the 

 need of religion, must require a real worship of pro- 

 found, at least mentally prostrate, adoration of that 

 Cause as actually present here and now. Such a one 

 could not surely find a more fitting mode of worship 

 than the one suggested. Being himself a creature under 

 conditions of space and time, and necessitated to frame 

 his thoughts according to such conditions, he must wor- 

 ship, if he worship at all, the First Cause under those 

 limitations. In joining in worship at the elevation of 

 the host he cannot err, since, as he admits his Deity 

 everywhere, he must surely be also THERE. Nay, he 

 must needs admit that He is emphatically and super- 

 eminently there in that which is the centre of devotion 

 to those present, and which has been the centre of 

 devotion and worship of all the holiest souls the world 

 has seen for many centuries past. 



But if the follower of Herbert Spencer, convinced of 

 the existence of an inconceivably high First Cause, which, 

 from reverence alone, he refrains from calling personal, 

 should so assist at the Church's highest act of worship, 

 every doubter as to theism may rationally also so assist. 

 In offering a hypothetical worship such doubter palters 

 with no truth, but only manifests his goodwill to perform 



