1880. ] The Critics of Evolution. 323 
ically contradicted the base charge brought against him that “ he 
does not recognize and does not admit either Divine agency or 
Divine supervision in furnishing, or in peopling the world.” This 
view is nowhere expressed in his books. I believe he nowhere 
uses the phrase “ fortuitous conjunction of circumstances,” which 
some of his critics “ roll as a sweet morsel under their tongues,” 
nor can his language “ natural selection” be rightly construed to 
mean any such fortuitous conjunction;” nor does he “sneer at 
the idea of any manifestation of design in the material universe.’ 
Darwin maintains that the origination of a species, no less than 
that of an individual is natural. He has also defined his meaning 
of the word zatural, and asserts, choosing the language of the 
distinguished Bishop Butler, whom none will deny was thoroughly 
orthodox, “ The only distinct meaning of the word ‘ Natural,’ is, 
stated, fixed, or settled, since what is natural as much requires and 
presupposes an intelligent agent to render it so—that is—to effect it 
continually or at stated times—as what is supernatural or miracu- 
lous does to effect it for once.” 
This passage from Butler Darwin has placed at the very portal of 
his work “ The origin of species by means of natural selection or 
the preservation of favored races in the struggle for life,”—upon 
the reverse of the title page, where it should be the first to meet 
the eye of the reader. 
Here is an emphatic acknowledgment of belief in Divine 
agency, a recognition of intelligent supervision throughout the 
“ processes of evolution.” It is no part of our mission to account 
for the vagaries of the critics friendly to Darwin, who have mis- 
construed his principles. He must speak for himself, and he has 
here spoken in unmistakable language. 
Evolution Generally Accepted. — Few of the objections that 
sprang into life the moment the doctrine of development was pro- 
posed for our acceptance, now give evidence of persistent vitality. 
Time has consigned, or is consigning, them to oblivion, and 
“evolution is taking its place as part of the furniture of the human 
mind,” 
1 Analogy of Religion natural and revealed to the constitution and course of na- 
ture,” by Joseph Butler, Lord Bishop of Durham. This passage appears in chap. 1 
of Part I. on Natural Religion, on p. 105 of Harper’s edition of Bishop Butler’s 
Aaneey of Religion, &c. The following succeeds it in order and is pa pertinent 
to the present discussion. “ And from hence it must follow, that persons’ notions of 
se is natural will be enlarged, in proportion to heir — knowledge of the 
orks of God and the dispensations of His Providence 
