THE PROBLEM: THE MODE OP ITS SOLUTION 5 



lution is a process, not a force. The power of the 

 Creator is equally demanded in both cases ; only it is 

 differently distributed. And evolution is the very 

 highest proof of the wisdom and skill of the Creator. 

 It elevates our views of the living beings, must it not 

 give a higher conception of Him who formed them ? 



The plant in its first stages shows no trace of flowers, 

 but of leaves only. Later a branch or twig, similar in 

 structure to all the rest, shortens. The cells and tis- 

 sues which in other twigs turn into green leaves here 

 become the petals and other organs of the rose or 

 violet. Let us suppose for a moment that every rose 

 and violet required a special act of immediate creation, 

 would the springtime be as wonderful as now ? Would 

 the rose or violet be any more beautiful, or are they 

 any less flowers because developed out of that which 

 might have remained a common branch ? The plant 

 at least is glorified by the power to give rise to such 

 beauty. And is not the creation of the seed of a vio- 

 let or rose something infinitely grander than the deck- 

 ing of a flowerless plant with newly created roses? 

 The attainment of the highest and most diversified 

 beauty and utility with the fewest and simplest means 

 is always the sign of what we call in man " creative " 

 genius. Is not the same true of God ? I think you 

 all feel the force of the argument here. 



There were at one time no flowering plants. The 

 time came at last for their appearance. Which is the 

 higher, grander mode of producing them, immediate 

 creation of every flowering species, or development of 

 the flower out of the green leaves of some old club 

 moss or similar form? The latter seems to me at 

 least by far the higher mode. And to have created a 



