IV. 

 ON THE HYPOTHESIS OF EVOLUTION: 



PHYSICAL AND METAPHYSICAL. 



" Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the 



mouth of God shall man live." 



Theee is apparently considerable repugnance in the minds of 

 many excellent people to the acceptance, or even consideration, of 

 the hypothesis of development, or that of the gradual creation by 

 descent, with modifications from the simplest beginnings, of the 

 different forms of the organic world. This objection probably 

 results from two considerations : first, that the human species is 

 certainly involved, and man's descent from an ape asserted ; atid, 

 secondly, that the scheme in general seems to conflict with that 

 presented by the Mosaic account of the Creation, which is regarded 

 as communicated to its author by an infallible inspiration. 



As the truth of the hypothesis is held to be infinitely probable 

 by a majority of the exponents of the natural sciences at the pres- 

 ent day, and is held as absolutely demonstrated by another por- 

 tion, it behooves those interested to restrain their condemnation, 

 and on the other hand to examine its evidences, and look any con- 

 sequent necessary modification of our metaphysical or theological 

 views squarely in the face. 



The following pages state a few of the former ; if they suggest 

 some of the latter, it is hoped that they may be such as any logical 

 mind would deduce from the premises. That they will coincide 

 with the spirit of the most advanced Christianity, I have no 

 doubt ; and that they will add an appeal through the reason to 

 that direct influence of the Divine Spii'it which should control the 

 motives of human action, seems an unavoidable conclusion. 



I. PHYSICAL EVOLUTION. 



It is well known that a species is usually represented by a great 

 number of individuals, distinguished from all other similar associ- 



