EVOLUTION MADE PLAIN 35 
Let us get this straight: evolution is not, 
in the slightest degree, opposed to religion; but 
it does conflict with the noxious growths of 
superstition and doctrinalism which half con¬ 
ceals religion. True Christianity will shine all 
the brighter with its concealments cleared 
away. The study of evolution broadens and 
enlarges one’s conception of religion. Those 
who are afraid that to accept evolution would 
cause them to “lose their faith” are already 
weak in faith. 
Those who insist on, as of paramount impor¬ 
tance, a belief in some mystical “plan of sal¬ 
vation,” including certain rites to be observed, 
are Paulinists rather than Christians. Scat¬ 
tered throughout Paul’s writings are expres¬ 
sions regarding the fall of Adam, the total de¬ 
pravity of man, the atoning blood of Christ, 
etc., which are harmless enough if regarded 
simply as rhetorical flourishes, but linked up 
in a finely wrought out scheme of redemption, 
and coupled with an insistence on the abso¬ 
lute necessity of belief in the same as the only 
means of individual salvation—why, this Paul¬ 
ine gospel- has catered to human selfishness, 
has filled the world with theological dispu¬ 
tations and sectarian strife, and has relegated 
into the background the great, yet simple 
spiritual truths of the lowly Nazarene. As a 
doctrine, its mysticism has a natural affinity 
with inherent superstition, dregs of which lie 
at the bottom of every human soul. 
It is Jesus’ persistent insistence on the duty 
of each to serve humanity that made him a 
great religious teacher. And it is His teach¬ 
ings, if we heed them, that will “save” us, aijtl 
