IN TRODUC riON. xxiii 



their ears, that there is a mortal antagonism between 

 the principles of faith and the teachings of Evolu- 

 tion. They are assured, moreover, not only that 

 such an antagonism actually exists, but also that it 

 is based on undeniable facts, on absolute demonstra- 

 tion. They are told that if they wish to be consis- 

 tent, if they wish to obey the certain behests of 

 reason, they must choose between Evolution and 

 faith, between science and superstition. The re- 

 sult is, too often, alas ! that they make shipwreck of 

 their faith, and plunge headlong into the dark and 

 hopeless errors of Naturalism. 



But not only have I been ever mindful of the 

 teachings of the venerable Pontiff, Leo XIII ; I have 

 also, to the best of my ability, striven to follow the 

 path marked out by those great masters of Catholic 

 philosophy and theology, St. Augustine and St. 

 Thomas of Aquin. I have always had before me 

 their declarations respecting creation, and the man- 

 ner in which we may conceive the world to have been 

 evolved from its pristine chaotic condition to its 

 present state of order and loveliness. And to make 

 my task easier, I have had frequent recourse to those 

 two modern luminaries of science and faith, the 

 profound Jesuit, Father Harper, and the eminent 

 Dominican, Cardinal Gonzales. To the " Metaphys- 

 ics of the School," by the former, and to " La 

 Biblia y la Ciencia," by the latter, I am specially in- 

 debted for information and points of view that it 

 would be difficult to find elsewhere. Both of these 

 distinguished scholars evince a rare mastery of the 

 subjects which they discuss with such lucidity, and 



