CHAPTER XVIII. 

 CEEATION. 



bearing of the Evolution Hypothesis on belief 

 -L in creation, and especially the creation of man, 

 has at once aroused antagonism and won support. 

 The doctrine of creation lies much nearer the central 

 truths of revealed religion than might at first sight 

 appear. It shapes our creed as to the Divine Being in 

 Himself and in His relation to those who are thought 

 of as His creatures : His creatures they are not, if He 

 is not Creator. Deny creation and you profoundly 

 modify the idea of God an idea determining all 

 religious dogma and prevading all devotion. But we 

 are not here concerned with the theological bearings 

 of the question : our business is to examine the doc- 

 trine of evolution in contrast with that of creation, 

 that we may judge which presents the great mystery 

 in most complete harmony with what reason accepts 

 as assured truth. 



The denial of the possibility of creation is a denial 

 either of its possibility to thought or its possibility in 

 fact. The evolutionist challenges the legitimacy of 

 the idea of creation, alleging that it is unthinkable. 

 Mr. Spencer says, " Our inability to conceive matter 



