266 
for further explanation of facts or ideas by tracing their history 
instead of accounting for them by some a 'priori method ; and 
this is the adoption of the historical method in all manner of 
investigations into* social, political, and religious problems, 
which were formerly solved by a much more summary, if not 
more satisfactory method.” 
63. The open attack which is here made upon Holy Scrip- 
ture is unmistakable. 1 could not have adduced a better 
example of Darwinism, as it affects religious thought, than by 
this substitution of an unproved hypothesis for the inspired 
Word of God. 
64. The same writer, a fair example of the Darwinian school 
and a shining light among those who are constantly expressing 
their anger because Christian men cannot reconcile their 
philosophy with Christianity, admits as fully as possible the 
position which Darwinism holds to religion. His remarks 
ought to put an end at once and for ever to the claims of those 
who profess that Christianity and Darwinism are compatible 
with each other. For example, he thus writes : — “ Darwinism 
does not make it more difficult to believe in a God. But,” he 
continues, “it is true that it weakens that conception of the 
Creator which supposes Him to intervene at stated periods, in 
order to give an impulse to the machinery There is 
another doctrine, which seems to be more nearly affected ; and 
probably, although we seldom give open expression to our 
fears, it is this tendency which is really the animating cause of 
the alarm which is obviously felt. Does not the new theory 
make it difficult to believe in immortal souls ? ” 
65. Now all this is written by a man of evident ability, a 
firm believer in Darwinism, and it is published in a journal 
edited by the historian Froude. I cannot, therefore, be accused 
of selecting a partial advocate of the doctrine, but rather one 
who expresses his own belief in Darwinism, and who is there- 
fore a trustworthy witness of any views as to the effect of 
“ Darwinism upon religious thought.” 
66. As a further and striking example of the effect of Dar- 
winism upon religious thought, I may refer to the first of a 
series of “international” scientific works lately published, 
entitled The Forms of Water in Clouds , Rivers, and Glaciers , 
by Professor Tyndall, a series of works intended for the in- 
struction of the rising generation. 
67. Count Itumford, a man of great and original genius, 
occupied many “pages of his well-known, book” in applying 
to the Design of Providence the law that water when freezing 
contracts down to 37 degrees, and then suddenly expands 
down to 32 degrees, the freezing-point. 
