354 EVOL UTION A ND DOGMA . 



Since 1871, when Mivart's book was given to the 

 world, a great change of sentiment has been effected 

 among those who were at first so opposed to his opin- 

 ions, and who imagined they discerned lurking in them 

 not only rank heresy but also bald and unmitigated 

 Materialism. Men have had time to examine dis- 

 passionately the suspected propositions, and to com- 

 pare them with both the formal definitions of the 

 Church and the teachings of the Fathers. The result 

 of unimpassioned investigation and mature reflection 

 has been, not indeed a vindication of the truth of the 

 position of the English scientist, but a feeling that 

 his theory may be tolerated, and that because it deals 

 rather with a question of science than with one of 

 theology. It has been shown that his propositions 

 do not positively contravene any of the formal defi- 

 nitions of the Church, and that both St. Augustine 

 and the Angelic Doctor, to mention no others, have 

 laid down principles, which may be regarded as recon- 

 cilable with the thesis defended with so much in- 

 genuity by the brilliant author of " The Genesis of 

 Species." 



Angelic Doctor on Creation of Adam. 



The Angelic Doctor, in accord with the tradi- 

 tional teaching of the Fathers, holds that the body of 

 the first man was immediately and directly formed 

 by God Himself, but he admits the possibility of 



the rational soul being subsequently infused. Great was the 

 outcry against such a view, but I forwarded my little book to the 

 Supreme Pontiff, and thereupon Pius IX benignantly granted 

 me a doctor's hat, which the late Cardinal Archbishop of West- 

 minster bestowed on me at a public function." The Nineteenth 

 Century, Feb., 1893, P- 3 2 7- 



