2 THE LESSON OF EVOLUTION 



an approximation to it ; and we may even hope to get 

 some dim idea of why it has been called into existence, 

 and what is the purpose of its Creator. 



Thus pure science culminates in a Natural Philo- 

 sophy ; that is, in a philosophy built up on an observa- 

 tional basis, which tries to harmonise and explain all 

 observed facts. And this Natural Philosophy must, of 

 course, vary with our knowledge and get more and 

 more precise as that knowledge increases. 1 



We have lately heard a good deal about the strides 

 made in applied science during the nineteenth century, 

 and we are all agreed as to their importance. In pure 

 science also we have heard much of another great feat 

 of the last century ; namely, the establishment of the 

 theory of evolution. In this case all acknowledge its 

 importance, but all are not agreed as to its meaning, 

 and some still think its teaching to be decidedly hurt- 

 ful. This is a subject to which I have given much 

 thought for the last thirty years, during which time a 

 great change has taken place in scientific opinion ; and 

 it is to this change that I wish to direct your attention 

 this evening. It is quite possible that I may have 

 over-estimated the growth of the change ; for we, who 

 live in the Southern Hemisphere, are not so advan- 

 tageously placed for recognising contemporary scientific 

 opinion as those who live nearer the centres of scien- 

 tific activity. But, whether the change be slow or 

 rapid, it is unquestionably going on, and there can be 

 no doubt about its importance. 



1 The term "Natural Philosophy" was formerly limited to the 

 study we now call Physics ; but as this use has been altogether aban- 

 doned, I hope that I may be allowed to revert to the still earlier and 

 true meaning of the term. 



