The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

148 SCIENCE AND RELfGZON.Comparatively little hesitation exists as to acknowledgingthat the different orders of pigeonshave had a common ancestry; and thatthe same may be said of the different racesof dogs. These examples afford the governingconception of the evolution theory, presentingthe type of evidence which has ledon to the wider generalization. Under thediscussions which the theory has originatedfacts previously familih have been contemplatedin a different light, as bearing upon ageneral plan or order of procedure apparentin the history of organized existence. Theconsequent gain for the theory is altogetherfavorable to the restricted doctrine that alliedspecies have had a common descent, orthat a single type of organism may under thelaw of evolution lead to the appearance ofdifferent orders or races of animals.The clear advance thus made in our conceptionsof the history of the universe willappear by simple statement of negative resultsfollowing from the admission of the modifiedform of doctrine just given. These involvethe rejection of views previously held,not by religious men in religious interests,but by men generally, as the natural conse-