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

titudes of statements made in a singularlyloose and unscientific manner. There is notany more careful observer than Mr. Darwin,the whole record of whose observations givesconfidence in his testimony, and his patientreflection on the real significance of what hehas seen. We may, however, leave this matterto naturalists, that they may decide whetherthis conclusion as to animals requires somemodification. The purpose of the present argumentis to show that an authoritative lawof benevolence does apply to human life, indirect contrast with the ordinary law of animallife, giving special force to the strugglefor existence as witnessed in the historyof the lower orders of beings.One possible entanglement for the presentargument must, however, be carefullyshunned. In the comparison between manand animal, we are apt to diverge into a discussionof what men and animals severally do.This is a question considerably different fromthat now under discussion, and yet it lies insuch close proximity as to afford the greatestfacilities for confusion of thought. We arenot here comparing what animals do, withwhat men do; we are comparing the ac-