MM COSMIC PHILOSOFHY. [pt. hi. 



Doctrine of Evolution leaves morality without a theoretical 

 basis, it supplies for it a theoretical basis incomparably deeper 

 and stronger than has ever been supplied for it by any 

 anthropomorphic theory of things. For not only does the 

 Doctrine show that the principles of action which the re- 

 ligious instincts of men have agreed in pronouncing sacred, 

 are involved in the very nature of life itself, regarded as a 

 continuous adjustment ; but it shows that the obh'gation to 

 conform to these principles, instead of deriving its authority 

 from the arbitrary command of a mythologic quasi-human 

 Ruler, derives it from the innermost necessities of that pro- 

 cess of evolution which is the perpetual revelation of Divine 

 Power. He to whom the theory of evolution, in all its 

 details, has become as familiar as the saws and maxims of 

 the old mythology are to him who still accepts it, will recog- 

 nize that to be untrue to the highest attainable ethical code 

 is to be untrue to philosophy, untrue to science, untrue to 

 himself. Thus in the grand equation between duty and 

 action, the substitution of scientific for theological symbols 

 involves no alteration of ethical values. And thus in casting 

 aside the mythologic formulas in which religious obligation 

 was formerly symbolized, we do but recognize the obligation 

 as more binding than ever. 



In criticism of the religious theory thus briefly expounded, 

 it will doubtless be urged that such religion is too abstract, 

 too coldly scientific, to have any general influence upon 

 action, and can therefore be of no practical value. The con- 

 ception of sin as a phase of mal-adjustment will be pro- 

 nounced incapable of awakening the needful feelings unless 

 there be joined to it the anthropomorphic symbol of an 

 offended God. And it will moreover be asserted with vehe- 

 tnence, that in place of a Father whom men can love and 

 /enerate, we are giving them a mere philosophical formula, 

 tailing for no warmer feelii?^ than calm intellectual assent 



