Summary and Conclusion. 299 



are supposed to be explained ; and we have seen that 

 this invisible creation of the evolutionist, is as inex- 

 plicable as the visible forms themselves. Seeking for 

 some account of the origin of sentient life, we have 

 found that the hypothesis is wholly at fault when 

 called upon to show how feeling could arise out of 

 cosmic mutation. We have examined the evolutionist 

 theory of the origin of the various kinds of living 

 things, and have proved it to be defective and alto- 

 gether inadequate as a solution of the problem. 

 Tested as to its competence to explain the origin of 

 consciousness and of intellection, or the growth of 

 mind, or the moral nature of man, evolution is demon- 

 strated to be a worthless a barren hypothesis. The 

 allegation that the conception of creation is unthink- 

 able has been examined, and the doctrine of evolu- 

 tion placed in contrast with the belief in creation ; 

 and the latter has been shown to be most in accord 

 with the regulative principles of experience, and most 

 in harmony with the evidences of mind everywhere 

 seen in nature and self -known in consciousness. 



Over the entire range of this discussion the ques- 

 tions dealt with have been questions vital to any 

 system of cosmic philosophy. In one or another 

 point the conclusivenesss of the reasoning may be 

 challenged ; but the cumulative effect of the whole is, 

 we think, irresistible. 



The aim has been critical throughout. No attempt 

 has been made to define the limits within which, in 



