ON EVOLUTION. 297 
the Darwinian principle, therefore, would almost inevitably lead us to confine 
our horizon to the existing life, and to concentrate our efforts upon making 
this world as habitable and endurable an abode as possible for ourselves and 
others... . Such persons ask no reward, and fear no punishment.” 
I would commend these plain words to the consideration of all. For my 
own part I agree with those who regard the extreme doctrine of Evolution 
which some hold, as unscientific, and consider it as based on wrong premises, 
and in this there are not a few able men that agree with me. 
Tue AutHuor.—In replying to the observations made by the different 
speakers, I ought to say, at the outset, that I have not used the word 
“ Evolution ” in its ordinary sense, or rather I have not made the ordinary 
application of that term. I have represented it as the evolution of an 
Eternal Idea. I think it will be generally admitted that differentiation 
has taken place from the beginning—so far as we have any knowledge 
of the beginning; that there has been what may be called progressive 
differentiation. Evolution, as it seems to me, has been an evolution 
from the Mind which created phenomena, and in successive manifes- 
tations has brought them to their present state. I do not regard man as 
the evolution of a lower animal, and I think I have made this evident in my 
paper. I have not committed myself to the ordinary theory of Evolution, 
aud do not regard man in any other light than asa distinct creation, although 
in reference to the Mind—the Eternal Mind from which he has proceeded— 
he may still be said to be an evolution. I think, therefore, that, in saying 
this, I have sufficiently disposed of the difficulty to which attention has 
been called in regard to the words used in section 23, I think I have shown 
that my views are perfectly consistent with the account of the creation of 
man which is to be found in the Book of Genesis. I was not at all conscious 
at the time I was writing this paper that I was deviating in the slightest 
degree from the Biblical account. I have taken what appeared to me to be 
the only possible philosophic view of Evolution, I have read certain 
masterly treatises on the doctrine of Evolution as it is commonly understood ; 
and it has always appeared to me that, however ably the subject is treated 
in these works, they all fall short of being philosophical. I will make one 
remark with reference to the use I have made of the word “ Cosmos.” I 
have spoken of “ The beginning of the Cosmos.” Of course I do not mean 
that the Cosmos itself, or what might with propriety be called the Cosmos, 
was then in actual existence. What I meant by “The beginning of the 
Cosmos ” was, that beginning from which the Cosmos proceeded ; and if my 
words be taken in that sense, I imagine that my statement will be accepted 
as unobjectionable, I am not aware whether my attention has been called to 
any other point. 
Mr, GrirritH.—Will you explain your view of the origin of matter on 
the Evolution theory ? 
Tne Autuor.—I believe matter to be a creation, and, at the same time, 
I conceive that it may be regarded as an evolution, from the Eternal Mind— 
that Mind in which there can be no change. I regard it as the evolution of 
