4o8 NATURE AND MAN. 



its physical conditions, but the final production of Man himself — 

 the heir of all preceding ages, with capacities that enable him to 

 become but " a little lower than the angels " — was comprehended 

 in the original scheme. 



And, lastly, I would point out that the doctrine of evolution 

 presents its greatest attractiveness, when viewed, not merely in its 

 scientific aspect, as the highest form of the intellectual interpreta- 

 tion of nature, but in its moral bearings — as one which leads Man 

 ever onwards and upwards, and encourages his brightest anticipa- 

 tions of the ultimate triumph of truth over error, of knowledge 

 over ignorance, of right over wrong, of good over evil, — thus 

 claiming the earnest advocacy of every one who accepts it as 

 scientifically true. And it is under this conviction that I have 

 now brouglit the subject before you ; in the hope of, at any rate, 

 weakening what I cannot but regard as the prejudices of some, 

 and strengthening in others that disposition to regard it favourably, 

 which its cordial acceptance by many of the ablest leaders of 

 religious thought may have already engendered. 



