278 THE GENESIS OF SPECIES. [CHAP. 



all must admit that the actual existing outcome is far more 

 " beneficial " than the reverse. The natural universe has 

 resulted in the development of an unmistakable harmony 

 and beauty, and in a decided preponderance of good and of 

 happiness over their opposites. 



Even if " laws of Nature " did appear, on the theistio 

 hypothesis, to be " superfluous " (which it is by no means 

 intended here to admit), it would be nothing less than pue- 

 rile to prefer rejecting the hypothesis to conceiving that 

 the appearance of superfluity was probably due to human 

 ignorance ; and this especially might be expected from nat- 

 uralists to whom the interdependence of Nature and the 

 harmony and utility of obscure phenomena are becoming 

 continually more clear, as, e. g., the structure of orchids to 

 their illustrious expositor. 



Having now cleared the ground somewhat, we may turn 

 to the question what bearing Christian dogma has upon 

 evolution, and whether Christians, as such, need take up 

 any definite attitude concerning it. 



As has been said, it is plain that physical science and 

 " evolution " can have nothing whatever to do with absolute 

 or primary creation. The Rev. Baden Powell well expresses 

 this, saying : " Science demonstrates incessant past changes, 

 and dimly points to yet earlier links in a more vast series 

 of development of material" existence ; but the idea of a be- 

 ginning^ or of creation, in the sense of the original operation 

 of the Divine volition to constitute Nature and matter, is be- 

 yond the province of physical philosophy." " 



With secondary or derivative creation, physical science 

 is also incapable of conflict ; for the objections drawn by 

 some writers seemingly from physical science are, as has 

 been already argued, rather metaphysical than physical. 



Derivative creation is not a supernatural act, but is 

 simply the Divine action by and through natural laws. To 



22 " Philosophy of Creation," Essay Hi., iv., p. 480. 



