EVOLUTION VERSUS CREATION.
A New York paper is sent us which devotes two pages, illustrated, to show how man “evolved” from a fish. This is set forth by the German scientist, Ernst Haeckel, and Professor Packard. And Prof. C. A. Briggs is quoted on the same pages as saying: “I am not prepared to admit that the acceptance of the theory of evolution will interfere with the doctrine of Christian life.” He declares that while he is “hospitable to evolution and the theory of higher development from the animal kingdom,” he believes that there is “yet much to be proven.” He does not know “when the Creator perfected the so-called development through evolution,” and he has “not been enlightened by science. But Professor Haeckel tells when. His closing sentence is, “A thousand million years may have been consumed in this evolution of man.” A wonderful hope for the race! Not once, but many times, we see man made in God’s image devolute through sin to a plane below the level of brute beasts, but nowhere in all history do we find the brute becoming man. Abnormalities have been brought in as proof, but the evidence has died with the monstrosity. It is a strange thing that those weak in faith choose ever the harder side. While they can not accept the story of creation of the Bible, they open the doors of mind and heart in unstinted hospitality and lavish credulity to the most incredible hypotheses of “science.” No one ever knew of a fish becoming man, or even an ape becoming a human; but some scientist concludes that during a period of a thousand million years this has been accomplished, and forthwith it is accepted with gusto. What is there strange about the near approach of the different species of animals to each other? Would it not be reasonable to suppose that when God has created myriad forms of animal life, ranging from the lowest forms of the protozoa to the horse or the elephant, and even to man, many of these subsisting on the same food, in similar conditions and environments,—would it not be reasonable that in many respects there would be a similarity? And would it not be a wonderful thing—if the evolution theory were true—that for thousands of years these various species have bred and multiplied and are still distinct? What does it all mean?—Simply this: God’s Word is true. The creatures were created of God; and all the evolution which has taken place has been devolution, perversion, on account of sin. The only advance moves which have been made in the uplifting of the race is in consequence of increase of knowledge of the Most High. What does the acceptance of the hypothesis of evolution mean to the church?—It means the loss of faith, the loss of power, and the destruction of souls. It does not affect the truth. It is still true that “by the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” “For He spake, and it was; He commanded, and it stood fast.” It is still true that He upholdeth all things by “the word of His power.” It is still true, the record of Genesis I, that in six literal days the Lord made the heavens and the earth pertaining to this world. But does it affect Christian faith to believe otherwise?—It affects it in this way: He who yields his faith in the record of God’s creative power, will yield it in God’s redeeming power. He who questions the record which says, “Let there be light; and light was,” will also question the power of God to speak light into his own darkened mind, or the darkened minds of those for whom he labors. He will look upon the drunkard, the thief, the beggar, the vile sinner, the heathen, as hopeless cases. He will declare, “There is no hope of this generation; let us educate, refine, civilize, and perhaps in generations there may be a change worthy of effort.” Much of reform work to-day is projected along these lines. Faith in the creative power of God is waning. Not believing that God can speak a world into being or a man into being, many do not believe that God can speak from the chaos of sin to the cosmos of righteousness the poor sinful soul who comes to Him. Hence they do not invite Him to come, and souls die in unbelief. O reader, there is power in God! He created man in the beginning. He creates him now in Christ Jesus. The loathsome leper came to “God manifest in the flesh,” timid with many Pharisaical rebuffs, yet fearfully, hopefully asking, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” And He replied, as He stretched out the hand ever filled with infinite blessing for all, “I will; be thou clean.” The creative power of God vitalized his dying frame, and immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Sinner, you may be corrupt all through and through. There may be no soundness in soul or body from sole to crown. Evolution, and all other worldly isms, at the best hold before you the mockery of hope deferred, but the mighty Creator-Redeemer says in tones of infinite love and pathos and power, “Come now, and let7us reason together; tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; tho they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” He will touch you; He will speak the word, “Be thou clean,” to you, and you will be clean. “Can He? Will He?”—Yea, He will; we know it. “If weak thy faith, why choose the harder side?”