"After its kind", the first and last word on evolution

Front matter

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SN SAAN RERANNS

Preface

The pages of this book are the product of years of study of a Bible-lover who has gone through the fiery furnace of skepticism and has come out firmly convinced of the scientific trustworthiness of the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. In this book are contained the conclusions of an examining and weighing of evidences and arguments for and against the theory of evolution which began when, as a young man in the University of Wisconsin, the author’s Christian faith was almost destroyed by the wave of evolutionary philosophy and pseudo-science that has swept over the universities and colleges of our land.

The incentive to write these pages was a desire to give to others the benefit of the author’s personal experience. Having been fortunate or unfortunate enough to have been caught early in life in the maelstrom of religious uncertainty that catches so many in our day, due to the wide-spread discussion of evolut:on, and having been driven by a desire to know the truth, cost what it may, to follow every important evolutionary argument to its end, and then having finally concluded that nothing is so scientific as the Bible statement “after its kind,’ the author believed that a work on the subject of evolution by him might meet the needs of some others who were undergoing an experience like his.

The writer has not counted for any advantage in the ensuing discussion on any “weight of authority.” The orthodox Christian who hopes to uphold his side of the controversy by an appeal to “leading authorities” will likely find small comfort in the next twenty-five years. It is well known that the “weight of authority” is on the side of the evolutionists. The writer, however, cares little for “authority” in the present discussion. If one will not take the Bible as authority as well he might, neither should he take the say-so of any scientific man. The ‘scientific authorities” are not to be relied on, as is plain from the fact that those who were the “authorities’ in by-gone days said and taught things about the universe that modern ‘authorities’ have disregarded. Who knows whether the “authorities” of one hundred or five hundred years hence will accept the dicta of present-day “authorities” or not?

Not being able to pretend to exercise any degree of authority over men’s minds, and not believing it fair or wise to do so if he could, the writer of this book has sought to induce the reader to become his own authority. He has sought to get him to set aside every preconceived evolutionary interpretation with which his judgment may have been prejudiced and to think clearly and consciously for himself. “Do one’s own thinking” is the rule that should guide every mature lover of truth in dealing with this important matter of origins.

For all descriptions of actual physical conditions in the field of biology and geology the writer has chosen only such descriptions as should meet the approval of any avowed evolutionist, for they are taken either from works of prominent evolutionists themselves, or from works of science in which the author has written without regard to the merits or demerits of the evolution theory, e. g. government reports or standard works on human anatomy, etc. No quotation 1s made from any person who is known to be an anti-evolutionist. The writer has sought to refute the evolution theory from the mouths of its friends.

The title of this book calls for some explanation. “The First Word on Evolution” is the decree of the Creator at the time the different “kinds” or species were created. “The Last Word on Evolution” is the statements of the laws of heredity brought to light by the recent discoveries of the Austrian monk, Gregor Mendel. No believer in special creation can hold too “high the hereditary doctrines of Mendelism.

Perth wimboy, Ni)

October, 1926.

Preface to the Second Edition

The spreading of evolutionary propaganda steadily continues and grows daily in volume. It is gradually reaching into every home, and having its baleful effect upon the faith of many a child of God. Legislative efforts to prevent the teaching of the theory in the public schools can not stem the tide, for the more numerous and effective channels of the printed page—newspapers, magazines, books and pamphlets—are still open. Nothing can stem the tide or enable the Christian to stand in the flood, but knowledge of the truth. The Church need not fear the freedom of error as long as the truth itself is also free. The believer in the Bible has the truth on his side. Let him be armed with it. Let the thinking Christian be supplied with full and complete information on every scientific and logical phase of the subject, and the waves of doubt will beat against him in vain.

Encouraged by the reception the first edition has received—showing that it has met a demand in the Church for concrete, constructive information on the matter of -creation versus evolution—the author has enlarged the second edition by the addition of new material, especially in the form of illustrations. Particularly has this been done in the chapter on human evolution, wherein, at a crucial point in the theory, the weak and superficial nature of its case is so readily apparent. In addition, certain old illustrations have been enlarged and printed more clearly. With a prayer that its purpose may be accomplished the author sends this second edition forth to help the Church combat the basic error of the age.

December, 1927.

Preface to the Third Edition

Since the publication of the first edition, the author has found that there exists among those who accept the Bible as an inspired record a desire for more detailed information on two especially vital matters: (1) the existence and nature of natural species, and (2) the nature and cause of “mutations.” To satisfy this desire there has been added an appendix on each of these subjects, which, it is believed, will strengthen the faith of creationists in the Word.

March 15, 1930.

Preface to the Fourth Edition

Since the printing of the third edition nothing new in the evolutionary discussion has developed to merit or require any marked additions to the text. A few minor improvements have been made, but with those exceptions the fourth edition is essentially the same as the third.

Byron C. NELSON.

October 5, 1931.

Contents

Chaperone -- Gleanine the Groundeic. se. ee 17 Meaning of “evolution”

Teaching of the Bible

Evolution ceased