LIFE OF JAMES DWIGHT DANA 



relations of science and religion had been often discussed 

 by the two devout geologists in conversation, and both 

 had lectured upon such subjects. Dana accepted many 

 of the positions that Guyot assumed, and when Creation 

 appeared, Dana reviewed it in the Bibliotheca Sacra for 

 April, 1885, and this article was expanded so as to make 

 a small volume. A copy of this review attracted the 

 attention of Mr. Gladstone, who wrote about it to the 

 author. 



Dana's later views are succinctly stated in the follow- 

 ing letter to a clergyman : 



" NEW HAVEN, CONN., March 3, 1889. 



" The views I have been led to hold on evolution are 

 stated in my Geology, both the manual and the text-book, 

 at the close of the section on historical geology. While 

 admitting the derivation of man from an inferior species, 

 I believe that there was a Divine creative act at the origin 

 of man ; that the event was as truly a creation as if it had 

 been from earth or inorganic matter to man. I find 

 nothing in the belief to impair or disturb my religious 

 faith ; that is, my faith in Christ as the source of all hope 

 for time and for eternity. The new doctrines of science 

 have a tendency to spread infidelity. But it is because 

 the ideas are new and their true bearing is not understood. 

 The wave is already on the decline, and it is beginning to 

 be seen more clearly than ever that science can have 

 nothing to say on moral or spiritual questions; that it 

 fulfils its highest purpose in manifesting more and more 

 the glory of God." 



Professor Fisher, of the Yale Theological Department, 

 has favored me with this characteristic anecdote : 



"Professor Dana combined the utmost accuracy and 

 thoroughness in the special branches of science to which 

 he was chiefly devoted with a broad and, it is not too 

 much to say, a profound comprehension of the material 



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