UP FROM THE SLIME
Sir,-There are points connected with evolution which are seldom or never discussed. Man is gifted with commonsense and reasoning powers, but often fails to apply them. Much that is said and written today about evolution and kindred matters overlooks certain indisputable facts. First: The earth is at
least 2000. million years old; this is proved by the discovery of coal deposits at depths of over three miles. Since such deposits have been formed by the decay of vegetation which has sunk into the earth at a scientifically calculated rate of slow motion approximately to one inch per thousand years, the age of the earth can be logically determined. This, surely, is a process of devolution -or evolution in reverse, which cannot be refuted. This being accepted, as it must, why reject the reasonable corollary of its upward manifestation? Secondly: Astronomers have proved that space is illimitable, and that in addition to our own universe, with its sun in control of innumerable stars, there are more and still more similar universes at the back of beyond, each with its attendant galaxy of countless constellations. Common sense "alls us that among these starry hosts the existence of other wotlds populated more or less like our own is extremely probable, and that at the present rate of scientific progress this probability may become fact very soon, The effect of such proof upon the traditional tenets of Christianity need not be stressed. Thirdly: There is an astonishing lack of understanding in respect of the terms eternal, eternity, world without end, etc. Surely they indicate "everlasting"; but few people appear to realise this nfeaning. Obviously, that which is eternal, which has no end, could never have had a beginning. Some two thousand millions of years ago this earth came as an incandescent mass from outer space, and the process of cooling and subsequent development of vegetation and life generally upon it has been and continues to be the subject of interesting speculation. But the main point of interest is that nobody knows. Scriptural quotation does not help us logically, for it has been well said that even Satan can quote Scripture for his own purpose. The human mind can never grapple satisfactorily with this, to us, insuperable mystery. What we can do, however, is to make the most of life here on earth, with all its beauties of Nature and Art, leaving the past and the future to the consideration of blind seekers after unattainable truth.
L. D.
AUSTIN
Wellington).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 32, Issue 810, 4 February 1955, Page 5
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419UP FROM THE SLIME New Zealand Listener, Volume 32, Issue 810, 4 February 1955, Page 5
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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