The Development Theory. 209 



on the faith of Christendom? It might be 

 presumptive to attempt to give a direct an- 

 swer to so grave an inquiry, but if we consult 

 history for parallels from the past these may 

 help us form a judgment. About three hun- 

 dred years ago a new hypothesis of the solar 

 system was published by the astronomer Co- 

 pernicus. His theory was adopted by Gal- 

 ileo, and demonstrated by the help of his 

 newly invented telescope. But the church 

 was alarmed, and asked the question: "What 

 will become of the faith of Christendom if 

 these unscriptural views of the sun and the 

 earth be generally accepted?" The poor as- 

 tronomer of the telescope was condemned for 

 heresy and compelled to retract his published 

 convictions on pain of the penalty due to 

 heresy. The heresy triumphed. Europe ac- 

 cepted the new views, but did not give up the 

 faith of Christendom. This is certainly a case 

 in point and ought to have its moral for us. 

 Years passed and a new scientific heresy was 

 published that of the great antiquity of the 

 earth; six thousand years would not cover the 



