A RELIGIOUS REFUTATION OF CREATION 1883

Evolution and natural theology

by Kirby, W. F. (William Forsell), 1844-1912

Published 1883

INTRODUCTION. 

"I cannot but feel surprised that a theory -which thus teaches us humility for the past, faith in the present, and hope for the future, should have been regarded as opposed to the principles of Christianity, or the interests of true religion." 

LUBBOCK'S "Prehistoric Times," 2nd edition, p. 581.

THE Theory of the Evolution of Living Beings, more familiarly known as the Theory of the Origin of Species, has continued to attract an increasing amount of public attention, ever since 1 859, when Darwin published his great work on the subject.

Although the principle of Evolution was not new, yet the crude and unscientific speculations of the earlier Evolutionists had failed to produce any deep or permanent impression on either the scientific or the popular mind ; and it was left for Darwin and Wallace to promulgate a theory which could be seen to be both scientifically probable, and easily intelligible, and capable of accounting for a great number of familiar facts which had previously been regarded as lying almost beyond the domain of science, and therefore as incapable of explanation.

It is universally acknowledged that no one can read one of Darwin's elaborate works on this subject, without admiring the great amount of learning and industry displayed in the marvellous array of facts collected from every conceivable source, which are brought forward to illustrate even the most trifling point under discussion.

The literature of the subject has now become very extensive, and Darwin's views are accepted, with more or less reservation, by nearly all scientific men, as a key to the mysteries of Nature. Among the supporters of Evolution may be found men of every shade of opinion, from Herbert Spencer, who asserts that Atheism, Pantheism and Theism are all equally untenable, to St. George Mivart, who attempts to show that the teachings of the Fathers of the Church are in accordance with Evolution.

But although the main principle of Evolution is now conceded by most naturalists, there is a great difference of opinion on matters of detail, and the subject is evidently still in its infancy. It must not be supposed that Darwin's views, comprehensive and valuable as they are, are by any means final ; and every general work on Evolution attempts to develop the subject more extensively, or to throw light on certain questions which still remain obscure.

It is often as important to point out the fallacies in the conclusions of others, as to state a new truth ; for in science, as in arithmetic, a mistake in one figure will often affect the whole sum. There is little doubt that Evolution is still far from presenting the aspect which it will ultimately assume in the science of the future.

The religious aspects of Evolution, though frequently discussed, are still far from having received a satisfactory solution. One reason may be that pure science resembles pure mathematics in only being able to deal with subjects which fall directly within its grasp.

Pure science will not conduct us far if the theological aspect of a theory has to be considered ; for religious questions depend upon the constitution of the human mind, and we cannot call in science to enable us to analyse our own minds by their own powers from any really independent or scientifically unexceptionable standpoint.

Nevertheless, a man is not justified in rejecting Religion, because (even after eliminating absurd or contradictory dogmas, with nothing to support them but authority) it presents him with insoluble enigmas if argued out by strict logic. .

A physiologist might as well refuse food as long as any problem connected with the process of x Introduction. digestion remained unsolved; or a philosopher might as well refuse to eat, because he admits himself to be incapable of proving either his own existence or that of his dinner, it is perhaps unnecessary to add that the above remarks are intended to apply to Religion in the abstract, quite independently of any system of dogmatic theology.

As, however, the bias of an author must affect his whole work, it may be stated that the existence and perfection of the Deity are here assumed from the outset, without any discussion of evidences, which would lead us too far from our main object.

The chief points which we have endeavoured to establish are : (1) the worthlessness of the opinions of antiquity on matters of natural science ; (2) the great superiority from a scientific point of view, as well as in physical and moral evidence, of the Theory of Evolution over that of Special Creation; and (3) that Evolution is perfectly consistent with an enlightened Theism.

Some of the supporters of Evolution claim for it that it is wholly opposed to the belief in a God, and many of its opponents brand it as thoroughly Atheistic in its tendencies. We shall attempt to show that this is not the case : but that as the Theory of Special Creation has become scientifically untenable, it is this theory, and not that of Evolution, which is positively Atheistic in its tendencies.

The principles of Evolution may be traced throughout every branch of Science without exception ; but we are here principally concerned with that branch of the subject known as the Origin of Species, and our illustrations are taken chiefly from Zoology. The conclusions of previous authors (including those of Darwin himself) are freely criticised ; and it is possible that new light may be found to be thrown on certain phases of the subject.

There is no real conflict between Religion and Science ; it is only the worn-out theological beliefs of past ages which conflict with the latter, when the increased light of the present age demonstrates them to be false, or even immoral. Religion and Science both lead us on to the discovery of higher and higher truths ; and the progress of truth is the advancement of the human race on the path which God has indicated by science and history as that by which it is His intention ultimately to lead all living beings, whether regarded as species or individuals, to Himself.

The interests of truth are in all cases best promoted by the freest discussion ; and it is hoped that the xii Introduction. present attempt to throw light on some of the important religious and scientific questions of the day, from a somewhat unusual standpoint, may not be considered altogether uninteresting

TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER  PAGE

PREFACE v

INTRODUCTION vii

 CHAPTER I.
ANCIENT AND MODERN VIEWS OF NATURE.
The Universe as it appeared to the Ancients Finite Nature of the Ancient Gods Zeus Othin Elohim Indra The Universe as it appears to the Moderns Progress of Science Progress of Religion- ... 1 NOTES. The Sacrifice of Serpents Buddhism God as the Spiritual Sun . . . 13

CHAPTER II.
THEORY OF DIRECT CREATION.
Difference between Ancient and Modern Thought Sporadic Nature of the Highest Genius Ancient Opinions on Matters of Physical Science Worthless Theory of Special Creation necessarily held by the Ancients Miracles Universality of Natural Law The Witch Mania and its Effects . 15

CHAPTER III.
EVOLUTION IN ASTRONOMY AND PHILOLOGY.
Infinite Change throughout the Universe Evolution an Established Principle in all Sciences Astronomy Philology Analogy between Philological and Biological Evolution 30 xiv Contents.

CHAPTER IV.
EARLIER THEORIES CONNECTED WITH EVOLUTION.
The System of Nature Speculations of the Earlier Evolutionists Theory of Degradation Inspiration necessarily Opposed to Infallibility Importance of Correct Views of Modern Science and Ancient Literature . . .41 NOTE. The Book of Genesis . ,49

CHAPTER V.
DARWIN AND HIS CRITICS.
Sketch of the Theory of Natural Selection Objections Theological Objections Origin of Man Beauty and Design in Nature Mivart Strictures on Darwinism Sense-Organs Origin of Species not always Gradual Limits of Variability Absence of Transitional Forms Species and Races Bree's Objections to Darwinism . 50

CHAPTER VI.
USE AND DISUSE, REVERSION AND HYBRIDISM.
Vital Energy Its Limits Variations in Offspring of the same Parents Reversion Hybrids and Mongrels Effects of Domestication on Animals . . . .69

CHAPTER VII.
HOMOLOGY.
Probable Unity of Matter Unity of Structure throughout Organic Nature Somites of Annulosa Neck of Vertebrata Rudimentary Organs Organs of the Senses Homology of the Sexes Homology only to be explained by Evolution

CHAPTER VIII.
EMBRYOLOGY.
Importance of Embryological Characters in Classification Close Resemblance of Early Stages of Embryos Rudimentary Organs in the Embryo Ancestral Characters Gradually Transferred to Embryo Importance of this Principle 95 Contents. xv

CHAPTER IX.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.
PAGE Traditions of tlie Deluge Islands Sea Barriers Local Variations in Size of Animals America and the Old World Australia Introduced Species American Waterweed Madagascar The Canaries and the East Indies 103


CHAPTER X.
VARIATION UNDER DOMESTICATION.
Effects of Domestication Sheep Pigeons Explanations on the Theory of Special Creation Domestication in Ancient Times Importance of Variation to Man . 119

CHAPTER XI.
ORIGIN OF LIFE ON THE EARTH.
Origin of Life a Mystery Biassed Theories Prochronism . Voltaire's Theory of Fossils Sir W. Thomson's Meteoric Theory Origin of Mundane Life probably Terrestrial Lowest Living Organisms Ultimate Origin of Life . .126

CHAPTER XII.
COURSE OF DEVELOPMENT ON THE EARTH.
Succession of Forms Theory of Direct Creation Subversive of the Argument from Design Immutability and Universality of the Laws of Nature Wallace's View of the Origin of Man Absolute and Relative Perfection Progress of Vertebrate Animals Man Geologically Analogous to a Class Extinction of Species Small Species usually Survive Larger Apparent Exceptions Social Hymenoptera Intelligence of Vertebrate Animals The Dog Indestructibility of Life Preexistence and Successive Existences . 137 xvi Contents.

CHAPTER XIII.
THE DESTRUCTIVE AGENCIES OF NATURE.
PAGE Necessity of Destruction Man's Influence Primeval State of the Earth Glacial Periods Changes of Climate Influence of Pestilence Eras of Rest State of Ice- land No Real Destruction . .158

CHAPTER XIV.
PROGRESS OF MAN.
Alternation of Races Children and Savages Men only Equal Theoretically Beliefs dependent on Race and Geographical Distribution All Religions of Divine Origin Missionaries Hereditary Influences Proportion of the Sexes Alleged Degeneracy of Man The Ancient Athenians Celibacy in the Church Cruelty and Immorality of the Ancients Re-action in Modern Times 167 NOTES. Religion of the Semites and Aryans Mohammadanism . .199

CHAPTER XV.
HARMONY OF NATURE.
Balance of Nature Strength of Small Animals Limits of Variation Of Multiplication Heavy Fruits Relative Perfection of the Universe . . 201

CHAPTER XVI.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION . 205