* The Bankruptcy of Evolution, by the Rev. Harold C. Morton, M.A., Ph.D. London: Marshall Brothers, Limited. Price 3s 6d net.
AT first sight the above title may appear somewhat strange, in view of the fact that at present alike in the theological, scientific and philosophical world, many of those in the front ranks have definitely declared for Evolution. But we are sure that the reader, after a perusal of Dr Morton’s excellent book, will readily grant that he has proved his case. In sending forth his book he had a praiseworthy end in view, as expressed in his words:—”My supreme aim is to remove the stumbling block, and make it easier for the men and women of this generation to accept the Bible unhesitatingly as the Word of God.”
Dr Morton has truly said that while Evolutionism is faulty as a philosophy, it has had a tremendous influence on philosophical, religious, and scientific thought, and that the goal to which this influence invariably has been tending is Skepticism. It was accepted by Wellhausen, and influenced his exposition of Biblical history, and may thus be said to have given an impetus to the destructive criticism of the Bible which has had such disastrous results. It is given an unquestioned place in a multitude of learned and popular books issued from the press. From University chairs and in colleges the theory is taught as one of the most assured facts in the realm of human knowledge. The errant brain of Nietzsche was led captive by it, and under its spell he taught the devilish principles set forth in his “Will to Power,” which in turn captivated the minds of the great War Lords of Germany and thousands of others who, under the intoxicating influence of this mad philosopher’s teaching, deluged the world with blood. Nietzsche’s philosophy was, if ever there was, a “procuress to the lords of hell.” But it has not only proved disastrous in the field of religion and practical politics, it is proving ruinous in other directions in undermining belief in the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. It is well we should lay to heart that in Evolutionism we are confronted with one of the most powerful enemies of modern times to the Bible and its teaching. Not only have we the evolutionary ideas spread broadcast in scientific works which may be read only by the few, but such men as Prof. Arthur Thomson, Aberdeen, a scientist gifted with powers of popular exposition granted to few, and H. G. Wells, whose erratic imagination has cast its spell over thousands of minds, are out and out evolutionists. But a no less serious aspect of the matter is that this unproved theory is being taught in books that have an extraordinary circulation among the children of the English-speaking countries. In the “Children’s Encyclopædia,” edited by Mr Arthur Mee, one of the most fascinating books ever written for children, Evolution is undisguisedly taught. It is also to be said of this Editor’s other serial publications—”My Magazine” and the “Children’s Newspaper,” while enjoying an extraordinary degree of popularity among young people, and instructive to a high degree, that this theory is acknowledged, though perhaps not quite so openly. No doubt Mr Mee would object to be called an agnostic Evolutionist, but even so-called theistic Evolution does not make for the acceptance of the doctrine of Creation as set forth in the Bible.
Dr Morton’s book shows conclusively on the authority of leading scientists that Darwinism, which was received with such a flourish of trumpets at its birth, is dead, and that the evolutionary theory now taught as the last word of science has been forced to shift its ground with new discoveries. The same idea is brought out in Prof. MacCreedy Price’s “Q. E. D., or New Light on the Doctrine of Creation.” In after ages we make bold to say that it will be considered one of the most extraordinary freaks of the scientific mind that it was deluded by a theory that had so little real ground to stand on. Here was Darwin, a man endowed by his Creator with the most extraordinary powers of observation, but who used them in seeking to banish God from His universe, and men who did not believe in this God and men who professed to believe in Him, joined hand-in-hand in heaping honours upon Charles Darwin.
We have read Dr Morton’s book with unfeigned pleasure, and heartily recommend it to teachers, students, and pupils in our Higher Grade Schools. We are pleased to note that Dr Morton recommends another very useful book on the same subject, “Evolution Criticised,” by T. B. Bishop (Oliphants, Ltd.), in which the reader is supplied with criticisms from eminent men of science; it is “packed with information,” as Dr Morton rightly says. It was a forcible but a true criticism made by Dr Hutchison Stirling on Darwin’s masterpiece—”The Origin of Species”—that there was a lie in the title, as Darwin’s book did not explain the origin of species.