228 G. MACLOSKIE, D.SC, ETC., ON COMMON ERRORS 



Divine Being lias at least an equally pervading relation to 

 all nature. 



14. Tliere is a "wide-spread opinion tliat the acceptance of 

 the evolutionary theory of the origin of man would destroy 

 our faith in the great doctrines of the Gospel. Without 

 going into detailed argument we think it can be shown that 

 the Christian Evolutionist would still hold to the miraculous 

 creation and endoAvment of the spiritual and moral nature 

 of man, and to his immortality : and in general to the 

 essential doctrines of our religion. The case would be the 

 counterpart of that of the arch-evolutionist George Romanes, 

 when he turned Christian. He came into the enjoyment of 

 a new set of very happy experiences, and yet did not find it 

 necessary to discard a single item of his scientific ideas. 



15. We deem it a mistake to assume that the conflict 

 between science and faith is only mischievous ; and we hope 

 that people will remember that " gcience falsely so-called " 

 is not in the Revised Version, and that the passage so 

 rendered in the older version does not contemplate what we 

 call science. Bad things are very often ventilated in the 

 name of science ; and the conflict is hurtful when scientific 

 scepticism goes on the war-path, or when students of science 

 are suspected by the community. But even here there are 

 compensating benefits. Sharp criticism is wholesome both 

 for Christianity and for science ; it compels people to re- 

 examine their foundations and to marshal their evidence. 

 Christianity owes to science the overthrow of superstitions, 

 and greatly improved conceptions of the Avorks of God, also 

 new confirmations of Scripture and refutations of once 

 dominant idolatries. Botli religion and science are greatly 

 helped by the brisk controversy that attracts the public 

 attention. No subject is ever of much interest until it be- 

 comes a matter of debate : — the debate resulting from and 

 often adding to men's appreciation of its value. If physical 

 and religions questions were all settled, they w(ndd lose their 

 attractive force. The discussion is going on all along the 

 line, and he who believes in his cause will have no fear of 

 the result. 



On the motion of the Cuauiman a vote of thanks was accorded to 

 the author. 



