XXVili. 
result of the brilliant researches of Mr. Darwin, to the involved processes of 
living organisms. More recently still, we have been attempting to unravel 
the varied and mysterious abnormal processes, which are at times exhibited 
by animals and plants, in accordance with this same Universal Law. 
As an explanation of the mode of development of animal and vegetable 
life, and especially of the former, whether in the case of the individual or in 
that of the tribe, of the origin of man, and of his language and social 
customs, the hypothesis of evolution has been of incalculable benefit in the 
past; and it is also of the greatest possible advantage in moulding our 
methods of research to-day. 
Marvellously important however as this belief is, it must be emphatically 
stated that evolution can only be regarded as a method of procedure. 
Mr. Herbert Spencer insists that phenomena indicate, or are the expressions - 
of an ‘Infinite and Eternal Energy’; and it is clear that the result of the 
deepest reflection can only be to carry us much further in the direction of 
positive belief. That gradual but definite progress of living organisms from 
simpler to more perfect forms, manifestly points to some Power who ordains 
this state of things, this wonderful co-ordination of the intricate processes 
going on around us. Indeed it may be said, that those who attempt to 
remove in thought the controlling agency, the guiding Power, cannot 
refrain from admitting the efficiency of Blind Chance to take the helm. It 
is obviously quite impossible, completely to explain the causation of 
phenomena, however simple. The initiation and maturation of new organs 
and new structures, the phenomena of bodily and psychical development, 
all indicate the existence of something far higher and greater than we can 
conceive of, some grand reality of which we only see the ‘superficial 
manifestations. 
It is important to remember that when we have assumed the complete 
idea of connected and continuous causation, which is called the Evolution 
Theory, we have by no means eliminated the necessity of belief in a Great 
First Cause. 
It is one thing to recognise a necessary and inevitable connection of 
sequence between those simple forms of matter, the nebule on the one 
hand, and the most complex forms of material seen in other portions of the 
universe on the other; and it is another to believe that herein has been 
reached a fully satisfactory solution of all things and all mysteries. All that 
man can ever claim to have done, is that he has substituted the idea of one 
great Power, unknown and unknowable, for the innumerable Spirits and 
influences which the savage supposed to be the causes of the occurrence of 
phenomena. Instead of looking upon the great mysteries of life, the 
unknown factors which have resulted in our presence here as innumerable 
‘and indefinite, we now consider them all as expressions of a°Great Reality, 
which we cannot fathom. ; 
OF this ultimate _conception, which all men frame for themselves, 
consciously or unconsciously, it is impossible to rid ourselves, try as we will. 
In all creeds and in all beliefs, this idea, more or less pronounced, is present: 
