Evolution and the B.B.C.
In this issue of the Magazine, under Church Notes, we print a copy of a protest sent by the Outer Isles Presbytery to the B.B.C. protesting against a series of talks to children on “How Things Began.” In these talks it is blatantly assumed that the evolutionary theory of Darwin is the true explanation of “how things began.” Our objection to this assumption is that it is false, and our authority for saying so
is the Word of God. The Bible tells us plainly and clearly “how things began,” and any theory however widely supported by mere human authority, which is out of harmony with scriptural teaching, is bound to be wrong, and in so far as it is accepted as a basis for teaching young people it becomes most pernicious and dangerous, and those responsible incur grave guilt. Although accepting the Bible as the inspired truth of God and, therefore, our final authority on this as on all other subjects coming within its scope, nevertheless it is encouraging to recall that many names accepted as authorities in the world of science do not believe in the theory of Darwinian Evolution. We quote the following from a pamphlet on the subject: Names like Lt.-Col. L. Merson Davis, D.Sc., F.G.S.; Dr. W. Bell Dawson, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.C.; Sir J. W. Dawson, Douglas Dewar, B.A., F.Z.S.; Sir Ambrose Fleming, D.Sc., F.R.S.; Prof. G. McCready Price may be mentioned. Prof. Bateson, in his presidential address in Melbourne, 1914, to the British Association, said: “To us Darwin speaks no more with philosophical authority.” Prof. Leo Berg: “All theories of evolution based on natural selection fall to the ground.” The Scientific Encyclopedia (French) says: “Darwinism is a fiction, a poetical accumulation of probabilities without proof and of attractive explanations without demonstration,” etc., etc.
Victory for Lovers of the Sabbath.
It is not often we have the pleasure of recording a victory for the Sabbath. In the Kyle-Kyleakin area a stubborn contest has been waging for over five months. There is a regular ferry service run by British Railways between Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland and Kyleakin in Skye. Up until last summer the Sabbath law was strictly observed and no ferry, except in emergency cases, was run on the Lord’s Day. Towards the end of last summer, however, this practice was broken and the service operated on the Sabbath with the consequent loss of the peace and quietness which we associate with that day in the Highlands. Local feeling on both sides of the Kyle was deeply roused, and over 5,000 people resident in or near the area signed a petition against the evil practice. It appears that the petition had the support of both the Inverness and the Ross-shire County Councils. We learn from the press that British Railways at a recent meeting, “taking all the circumstances into account,” have decided that the service will not be resumed next summer. We would express our deep sense of gratitude to the Lord of the Sabbath for the success with which He has crowned the efforts of those who resisted this encroachment upon the sanctity of the Sabbath in our beloved Highlands.
A Public Nuisance.
Over-indulgence in strong drink is a habit deplorable in itself, but when it is accompanied with Sabbath desecration of such a character as disturbs the peace of the community it is surely high time the
matter was effectively dealt with by the authorities. Complaints have been made by many smaller towns and villages against the conduct of organised bus parties who instead of sanctifying the Sabbath desecrate it in this form of sinful indulgence. These parties evidently charter a bus and leave the larger towns for some seaside village or quiet country town some distance away, where they spend the evening. They procure an abundant supply of strong drink which they carry with them, and when they reach their chosen destination they apparently think they have a perfect right to indulge in drunken hooliganism without regard to the peace, privacy or religious feelings of the resident community. This deplorable practice appears to be on the increase. The matter has been raised in Parliament, but the Scottish Secretary, Mr. James Stuart, though personally sympathising with those who complained, does not think that there is any widespread demand to alter the licensing laws so as to deal with this matter. Nevertheless, the situation is being closely watched and consideration is to be given to asking chief constables for reports. Certainly if the present licensing laws allow such practices it is high time they were altered. The Law of God, however, does meet the situation and establishes the conviction and condemnation of all those who indulge in such God-dishonouring practices.
Television and the Sabbath.
Another invasion of the sacred rights of the Lord’s Day is that made upon its sanctity by television broadcasts on Sabbath afternoons and evenings. From a recent note in the public press it appears that television programmes on Sabbath afternoons are to be considerably “brightened up” by the introduction of variety shows and comedy films. When one thinks of the large number of homes with parents and children where it is regular practice to spend Sabbath afternoon watching the television screen one cannot but be filled with the greatest sadness and foreboding. What shall the end of these things be?