298 REV. H. J. CLARKE 
an eternally fixed idea, as far as we can form a notion of the subject from 
our investigation of astronomical facts. The first things created would seem 
to have been the material atoms, the mere matter out of which the universe 
was formed. Then, by progressive differentiation,the worlds thus produced came 
at last into the form in which they might be termed the Cosmos, which Cosmos 
might still, in some respects, become more and more elaborated. Differen- 
tiation is still making progress ; but I believe that matter itself was created 
by the Eternal Will. I take the words of the Book of Genesis in their simple 
and unmistakable sense, and without the least wish to put any qualification 
on the meaning they at once suggest. “In the beginning God created the 
heavens and the earth.” All I contend for is, that creation may be regarded 
from a certain point of view,—that is to say, from my point of view,—as an 
evolution. So far from having adopted the commonly-accepted Evolution 
theory, I think I have shown that theory to be untenable. I have said that, 
if we are to adopt it, we must begin by imagining a condition of matter 
which was perfectly homogeneous. We can only do that by picturing 
to ourselves homogeneous atoms, so distributed that there must have 
been a perfect reciprocity between their tendencies, or the forces by 
which they would be at one time or another actuated. That I take to be 
the only possible way in which we can present to our minds the ordinary 
doctrine of Evolution ; and that doctrine, as will be seen from my paper, 
I have not adopted: I have merely stated it in order to confute it. I have 
by no means committed myself to the theory that matter came into existence 
in a state of perfect homogeneity. It may, or it may not; but, at any rate, 
we have no proof that it was so produced. Finally, I think, from what I 
have said, that it must be quite apparent that my views are in entire accord 
with what is commonly believed to be the teaching of the Bible on the 
subject of creation. 
The meeting was then adjourned. 
