

Transcribed from the [1885?] Elliot Stock edition by David Price, email
ccx074@pglaf.org





                                EVOLUTION.


                                * * * * *

                                    BY
                         REV. EDWARD HOARE, M.A.

       VICAR OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS, AND HONORARY CANON OF CANTERBURY.

                                * * * * *

                     _Reprinted from_ THE CHURCHMAN.

                                * * * * *

                                 LONDON:
                 ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.

                                * * * * *

                             Price Twopence.




EVOLUTION.


IT may appear a very rash thing for any person who does not claim to be a
man of science to presume to give an opinion on any of the theories of
scientific men.  But there is a vast difference between the facts of
science and the theories suggested for their explanation.  The facts are,
as it were, the property of the investigators.  The investigators have a
power of investigation which we outsiders have not, and it would be folly
for us who have not that power to presume to call in question their
information.  But it is a very different matter with the theories either
founded on these facts or invented to explain them.  When science has
given us the facts common-sense can discuss the theories founded on them;
and, without presuming to call in question the ascertained results of
scientific investigation, any person of ordinary intelligence may form
his own opinion as to the conclusions derived from the known facts.  The
scientific men know the facts, and we do not; but, when they have told us
the facts, we can think as well as they.  This point was exceedingly well
put by Canon Garbett at the Norwich Church Congress in 1865.  He said:
“Beyond a certain point the conclusions and arguments of the man of