ADDRESS ON EVOLUTION 93 



of the then leaders of science and best equipped 

 exponents of evolution. 



On viewing the recent expression of opinion as 

 to first causes by Lord Kelvin, whose acquaintance 

 with the physical force of nature is almost unrivalled, 

 it is interesting to note the steps taken by Flower 

 to show the world that those whose knowledge of 

 biology and evolution was second to none were 

 by no means of opinion that what had been dis- 

 covered was tantamount to a " dispensing power " 

 giving them leave to cut the ropes tying them to 

 older and established convictions and beliefs. 



In October 1883 Flower was asked to give an 

 address at the Church Congress at Reading. The 

 Bishop of Oxford presided, and after his address 

 the greater part of the day was given up to the 

 question of the bearings of science on religion as 

 happily expounded by Flower. It was an idea, due 

 to the authorities of Balliol College,^ Oxford, to 

 bring him to give an account, at once authoritative 

 and simple, of the meaning of evolution, and of the 

 kind of evidence on which it rests. It may well 

 be doubted whether, if he had to deal with the 

 same subject to-day, he would alter his statements 

 or his conclusions. 



1 Sir John Conroy, Bart., Fellow and Tutor of Balliol, was greatly im- 

 pressed by the mischief done to many young men brought up in narrow 

 houses, who were taught that " evolution " was "against religion." When 

 they came up to the University and were taught the theory of evolution, they 

 were inclined to give up their former beliefs as well, supposing that they must, 

 stand or fall together. 



