52 



THE EVOLUTIONARY THEORY 



III 



The task of giving the evolutionary theory an estab- 

 lished place in biological science was achieved prin- 

 cipally by Charles Darwin, whose Origin of Species is 

 one of the most epoch-making books that have ever 

 been written. It put much of previous scientific litera- 

 ture out of date, and caused a revolution in thought 

 which has not only extended its transforming influence 

 into every department of natural science and philoso- 

 phy, but has largely determined the lines and methods 

 of subsequent speculative and apologetical theology. 

 The ancient catholic faith is still vahd, and must hold 

 its own forever. But in 1859 a new world was born, 

 thinking new thoughts and using new language. The 

 result has been that Christian apologists have been 

 compelled either to think the new thoughts, and use 

 the new language, or to abandon hope of successfully 

 propagating Christian doctrine among the intelligent. 

 The need of re-translating its ancient terms is in no 

 wise removed by the assumption that what needs to 

 be translated is as valid in its original meaning as it 

 could be thought to be, if Charles Danvin had never 

 been born. But the world of to-day cannot under- 

 stand that meaning, until it is exhibited in the terms 

 which now to a large extent condition and mould 

 human thinking and believing. 



As I have already stated, Darwin's view had been 

 partly anticipated by Dr. W. C. Wells in 1813. Credit 

 ought also to be given to A. R. Wallace, who had inde- 



