1 6 The Evolution Hypothesis. 



onward to the end of time : it must bring to light the- 

 beginning of life, and disclose the origin and growth 

 of every individual and every species : it must show 

 how organic sensibility came to be, and elucidate the 

 complex and wonderful adaptations by which, even in 

 the case of microscopic forms, the living creature is 

 fitted to its habitat, and enabled to maintain itself in 

 life during its brief day, and perpetuate the existence 

 of its kind : it must account for the human conscious- 

 ness, and explain how it has arisen : it must determine 

 how the faculties of mind have come to be, and reveal 

 the origin of conscience : it must unveil the source of 

 religious feeling, and furnish the key to the indestruc- 

 tible belief in God : it must afford explanation of the 

 marvellous achievements of intelligence in unravelling 

 the complexities of things, and making known their 

 order and law ; in accomplishing astounding feats of 

 power and skill, by the combination of resources 

 through political and social organizations ; in produc- 

 ing works of art, whose beauty rivals the perfection 

 of nature ; in attaining moral ends through the sense 

 of personal freedom voluntarily submitting to the 

 law of duty; in reaching spiritual results through 

 knowledge that pierces the encompassing veil, and 

 through devotion that freely sacrifices self. It must 

 thus account for man, the most wonderful of all the 

 phenomena of the universe ; it must, above all, account 

 for the appearance in this world of the man Christ 

 Jesus, for the power of His teaching and life, and for 



