AS TO THE EELATIONS OF SCIENCE AND FAITH. 233 



it, there are such constant admissions, even from those who 

 contend for it, as to make them panse before they accept it as a 

 'thing proved. Take Wallace, who was the co-originator, in this 

 century, with Darwin of the theory of evolution. In his work 

 (Darwinism I think it is called) he distinctly stated that there were 

 thi^ee exceptions in the development of the world — the origin of 

 life, the origin of mind, and the origin of spirit, and he uses this 

 remarkable phrase : that as to these three " they mnst have 

 originated from the spirit world." 



Wallace has stated that he is an evolutionist, and people 

 seem to think that he has accepted all the various statements 

 put forward by evolutionists ; but when a man, standing so 

 much in the forefront as he, makes the.se distinct exceptions, 

 how can we say that evolution is proved ? The fair argument, 

 therefore, is, if these three grand steps or stages in the development 

 of the world are due, not to materialism, not to naturalism, not 

 to any development, but are the actual work of the Grreat Sujjreme 

 Spirit outside the world altogether, it is but reasonable to assume 

 that in all other matters there is the same ruling Spirit bringing 

 about and causing all things; and if we once believe that mind 

 was created, that life was created, and that spirit was created, 

 what difiiouhy is there in assuming that the vei'y first animal, 

 fish, and vegetable were also created Y In all these matters there 

 has been too much assumption that evohition is proved. 



The Rev. Dr. Porte. — I am afraid I have been accused of what 

 may be considered very shaking heresy, which I have no idea of 

 promulgating. The last two speakers have said that I had 

 practically declared my belief in the eternity of matter. I 

 declare no such thing. I do not believe it for a moment, and 

 I never dreamt of such a thing. 



Dr. Gladstone. — I do not know whether it is necessary for me 

 to say that I believe God is the Creator of all things, and that He 

 is now evolving, by gentle stages, from the imperfect to the 

 perfect, and from the inferior to the superior. 



The discussion, which was of unusual length and interest, was 

 continued by the Rev. A. M. Chekrill, Colonel Aloes, Professor 

 Langhorn Orchard, Dr. Haywood Smith, Captain Petrte, and 

 Professor Hull. 



