14 
PROOFS OF EVOLUTION. 
noble, virtuous and patriotic. It will do all this 
because it asserts the great law of mutual duty. 
Evolution affirms the survival of the fittest. It 
prophesies even better things to come, than those 
which we now know. It points toward an ideal 
of perfection. Its flower and fruitage in life is 
moral grandeur. 
Admitting its scope and possibilities, as thus 
portrayed, we are now at the threshold of the 
vital question, “Is Evolution true ?” For nothing 
false can be a permanent good. This question 
must be answered briefly and imperfectly; for an 
hour gives time barely to mention the various 
phases of the great theme. We are compelled to 
take a hasty view of the broad field, touching 
only the mountain-peaks in the line of proof 
which establishes the theory of Evolution. 
What is Evolution ? A late writer has tersely 
defined it as follows: “ Evolution is continuous, 
progressive change, according to certain laws, and 
by means of resident forces.” Evolution is simply 
growth and change, governed by fixed laws. Its 
corner-stone is continuity. 
The essayists who have preceded me have ex- 
