CANON ARCHDALL’S SERMON

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 191, 2 November 1927, Page 8

CANON ARCHDALL’S SERMON

Sir, Having read Canon Archdall’s sermon in your columns, I must say I am a little surprised. Materialism in sermons is uncommon in our pulpits. It seems to me there are many people, and good people too, who do not fully understand what ■‘evolution/ 5 in the material sense, really means. If they do; they do not sufficiently distinguish between "evolution' 5 and progression. Man as an educable being can, along right lines, develop and make wonderful progress. This is clear to us all from history, and even from recent discoveries in scientific circles. A believer in the Gospel does not, in the material sense, “evolve.” He grows because he is in harmony with higher forces. He may, in this sense, ‘go on unto perfection/ 5 (See Heb. 6,1.) Le Conte; a materialist, defines "evolution” as a continuous progressive change, according to certain laws, by inherent forces.” This is generally speaking, blank materialism—the kind noted evolutionists are trying to palm off upon the world. Continual progressive change for the better the whole world needs, but it cannot be done by man’s "inherent forces.” The tendency seems, rather, to be downward. No Christian church can accept the definition of Le Conte and others of

his school. If Canon Archdall would kindly make clear what he means to convey when he speaks of “evolution,” much light might be thrown upon this vexed question. We thank him for much in his sermon, but we object to the statement that “evolution/ 5 as usually spoken of, is “not in opposition” to Christianity. We feel convinced that the materialistic kind most certainly is. REUBEN E. DOWLE.