15 THE GENESIS OF SPECIES. [Chap. 



ation," had rather discredited than helped on a belief in 

 organic evolution — a belief, that is, in new kinds being pro- 

 duced from older ones by the ordinary and constant opera- 

 tion of natural laws. Now, however, this belief is widely 

 diffused. Indeed, there are few drawing-rooms where it is 

 not the subject of occasional discussion, and artisans and 

 school-boys have their views as to the pernianencc of or- 

 ganic forms. Moreover, the reception of this doctrine tends 

 actually, though by no means necessarily, to be accompa- 

 nied by certain beliefs with regard to quite distinct and very 

 momentous subject-matter. So that the question of the 

 *' Genesis of Species " is not only one of great interest, but 

 also of much importance. 



• But though the calm and thorough consideration of this 

 matter is at the present moment exceedingly desirable, yet 

 the actual importance of the question itself as to its conse- 

 quences in the domain of theology has been strangely exag- 

 gerated by many, both of its opponents and supporters. 

 This is especially the case with that form of the evolution 

 theory which is associated with the name of Mr. Darwin ; 

 and yet neither the refutation nor the demonstration of 

 that doctrine would be necessarily accompanied by the 

 results whicli are hoped for by one party and dreaded by 

 another. 



The general theory of evolution has indeed for some 

 time past steadily gained ground, and it may be safely pre- 

 dicted that the number of facts which can be brought for- 

 ward in its support will, in a few years, be vastly augment- 

 ed. But the prevalence of this theory need alarm no one, 

 for it is, without any doubt, perfectly consistent with strict- 

 est and most orthodox Christian theology. Moreover, it is 

 not altogether without obscurities, and cannot yet be con- 

 sidered as fully demonstrated. 



The special Darwinian hypothesis, however, is beset 

 with certain scientific difficulties, which must by no means 



