THE CHURCH AND EVOLUTION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19161, 18 November 1927, Page 12

THE CHURCH AND EVOLUTION.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE PBESS. Sir,—The Moderator of ?the Presbyterian General Assembly, in his admirable opening address dealing with the subject of evolution, made use of an illuminating quotation from Professor Whitehead to the effect that "The theory of evolution requires an underlying activity—a substantial activity—expressing itself in individual embodiments, and evolving m achievements of organism," Without this suggested indestructible and .substantial element, evolution becomes a meaningless and purposeless process, for what is achieved of the inevitable end'of, say, a world period when forms of the highest complexity finally disintegrate ? If, however, we see in this process, not only forms rising from the simple to the complex, but, "pari passu," life or consciousness gradually unfolding itself through successive embodiments m and through these forms, life becomes intelligible and purposeful It appears to be necessary, therefore, to postulate some such theory as reincarnation in order to rationalise our conceptions of evolution.—Yours, etc . T.E.B.