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

150 SCIENCE AND RELIGION,nized, are questions for which it is difficult tofind an exact answer. The theory of the" origin of species" by natural selection seemsplaced in an awkward perplexity as to whatconstitutes origin of a new order of life. Andthis diFiculty must be regarded as a constantattendant on the scheme of thought, since" adaptive changes" must be of slow progress,and historically obscure, inasmuch as asuccession of very slight differences must contributeto a general result. In this way itmay even become matter of keen discussionwhat actually constitutes organic advance.Mr. Darwin admits serious difficulty at thispoint. He says, "Here we enter on a veryintricate subject, for naturalists have not definedto each other's satisfaction what is meantby an advance in organization." * Thus thereis dispute among competent authorities as towhich may properly be considered the highestorder of plants, and which the highest orderof fishes. On the other hand, it is comparativelyeasy to decide among the more highlyorganized animals, when an advance is made,by reference to illcreased complexity in structure,or provision of separate organs for ac-* Origin of @ecies, 4th e& p. 141.