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PROFESSOR LOU
An interesting story
dealing with the theory of evolution
and other phases of modern teaching
as unscriptural and unscientific.
(From the original dust cover.)
By
Mary E. McDonough
CHAPTER IV
''Lou, Lou, guess who has come I" and Ted Harper bounded down the
walk to meet his sister who was returning from a morning call.
"The President of the United States," laughingly replied Louise.
"No, it is not the president, nor is it the king of England; but
someone whom you would rather see than either of those exalted
beings," rejoined Ted.
"Is it—can it be—" began Louise—but before she could finish her
sentence, a trim, manly form appeared in the doorway and she eagerly
rushed forward to meet him. "Uncle Roger! Oh! I am so glad to see
you."
"You cannot be half as glad to see me as I am to see you, my
dear;" and with a tender caress, Roger Murdock led his niece to a
chair upon the broad veranda.
"I have surprised you, haven't I?" he added as he seated himself
by her side.
"Indeed you have. Your last letter contained no hint of your
leaving Brazil until the last of November."
"True, my dear, but just after that letter was mailed, we
realized such unexpected success that we found it unnecessary to
prolong our stay; so I decided to give you all a bit of a surprise,
and you seem to like it."
"We certainly do like it brother," said Mrs. Harper who appeared
in the doorway at just that moment and gently patted his shoulder;
but your long journey must have given you an appetite for home
cooking; so let me lead you to the dining room. Katie is waiting to
serve our lunch."
What an afternoon followed that carefully prepared and daintily
served lunch.
What stories of adventure thrilled the little group upon the
veranda. What a hero was Uncle Roger in the eyes of Ted; and how
proudly he introduced him to Sam who appeared during the afternoon,
as "my uncle, Professor Murdock, who has just returned from a
wonderful scientific expedition in South America."
Truly it was a never to be forgotten day; and long into the night
the members of the happy household sat listening to the entertaining
and instructive words of their welcome guest.
As Ted passed the door of his sister's room on his way to bed, he
whispered, "Won't it be great to have Uncle Roger with us tomorrow
evening in our little Bible Study?" and Louise smilingly nodded
assent.
During the following day Sam could talk of nothing but Professor
Murdock and his wonderful adventures. The thrilling stories of the
day before were repeated to the members of the family collectively
and individually and also rehearsed to his chums. Thus it was that
an air of unusual expectancy characterized the assembling of the
little study group in the early evening.
Charlie and Ned were the first arrivals as they were anxious to
meet Ted's "Wonderful Uncle Roger."
Sam and Nell were not far behind, while Tom, who had met
Professor Murdock earlier in the day, appeared with Sallie and Miss
Thornton.
A moment later Mr. Marshall arrived with his wife who had just
returned from a long visit in a distant state, and laughingly begged
that she be admitted.
After a half hour of kindly greeting and pleasant conversation,
the silvery tones of the study clock caused Ted to whisper "It is
time to begin, Lou."
Louise slowly arose and explained that as her father was
unavoidably detained for a few minutes, she would ask her uncle to
lead in the opening prayer. With the simplicity of a child
addressing his father, Roger Murdock presented the needs of the
little group. The need of illumination, teaching, guidance,
discernment, humility, patience, love; and above all, the perception
of God's eternal purpose in Jesus Christ, and the complete yielding
to His will, upon the part of each one present.
This earnest petition was followed by a moment's silence; then
Louise arose and somewhat hesitatingly said, "I was hoping that
Uncle Roger would give us one of his interesting talks on The
Scientific Accuracy of the Bible, this evening; but he requested
that we proceed as usual. However, he has promised to assist us if
we desire his help, and I am quite sure that we shall.
As we have considered the creation of the heavens and the earth,
the chaotic condition of the earthly creation as the result of
Lucifer's misrule, and the beginning of the reconstructive work of
God, it would seem appropriate to now consider the crowning work of
creation—man. The first account of this creation is found in verses
twenty-six, twenty-seven and twentyeight of the first chapter of
Genesis. Let us read the passage slowly, —carefully noting each
word."
No sooner had the reading ceased than Charlie quickly looked up
from the page and asked "Professor Lou, will you please tell us what
is meant by that 'us' in verse twenty-six? Was God talking to the
angels?"
"Oh, no, Charlie," replied Louise. "That 'us' and the following
'our' call our attention to the fact that God is a Triune Being. He
is invisible in God the Father, but manifested, or made visible in
God the Son, and knowable to human beings through God the invisible
Holy Spirit; yet He is one God. We call this a tri-unity—a Trinity.
But that is a deep subject which we need not dwell upon just now."
"I notice that the verb 'created' is used three times in verse
twenty-seven," said Sam who had been carefully scanning the passage.
"Yes," replied Louise; "and the verb 'create' which we found
means 'to bring into existence without the aid of preexisting
material,' proves that the appearance of man was not due to the slow
process of evolution, but that God spoke him into immediate being."
At these words Miss Thornton flushed angrily and would have
spoken, had not the recollection of her encounter with Tom, and the
fact that at that moment his keen blue eyes were fixed upon her,
prevented her from so doing. And then without waiting for Louise to
proceed, Tom courteously inquired, "Will it be in order to ask
Professor Murdock if this statement of the Bible concerning the
origin of man, is in harmony with the latest verdict of science?"
"I am sure that we shall all be very glad to hear from him,"
replied Louise, both relieved and pleased.
"I am glad that Mr. Atherton has used the phrase 'latest verdict
of science'" began Professor Murdock; "for thereby we are made aware
of the incompleteness of human knowledge. Man is only a created
being and it is by a slow, painful process of long continued
investigation that he arrives at any conclusion concerning the works
of the Creator; and this conclusion is subsequently displaced by the
results of additional investigation or discovery; therefore the
latest verdict of science today, may be superseded by a later
verdict tomorrow.
"With what relief do we turn to the words of the Creator Himself
as He has so graciously given them to us in the Bible. There is
positive knowledge; finality. Were scientific investigation
based upon this absolutely reliable foundation, how greatly
increased would be our store of human knowledge.
"Now as to the harmony existing between the statements of the
Bible and the latest verdict of science, let me reply by quoting the
words of Lord Kelvin, one of the greatest of English Scientists. In
an address delivered in 1903 he said: 'Forty years ago I asked
Liebig, walking somewhere in the country, if he believed that the
grass and the flowers which we saw around us grew by mere chance
force. He answered, "No! no more than I believe that a book of
botany could grow by mere chemical force .... It is not in dead
matter that men live and move, and have their being; but in a
creative and directive Power, which science compels us to accept as
an article of faith. Is there anything so absurd as to believe that
a number of atoms by falling together of their own accord, could
make a crystal a microbe, or a living animal?"'
"And at another time he declared that 'there is not a single
ascertained fact of science which conflicts with any statement of
the Bible.' Why even Darwin says in his Origin of Species
'there is a grandeur in this view of life' ... (the creation of all
life by God),—and admits that there must have been the breathing of
the Creator into a few forms, at least.—Yes, Mr. Atherton, there is
perfect agreement between the Bible statements and those of true
scientific knowledge. In other words when scientific men succeed in
discovering in the realm of nature those facts that are indicated in
God's written word, of course there is perfect harmony, because man
has at last found out the truth of God's statements."
"But Professor Murdock, if that is so, and I do not question it
in the least, why is it that evolution, a theory of origins entirely
contrary to the Bible—has taken such hold of educated men," inquired
Mr. Marshall.
"There is something in natural man that causes him to desire to
be independent of God," replied Professor Murdock. "That something
produces a spiritual blindness and a dullness of the reasoning
powers; with the result that an unproven theory is accepted in place
of a positive fact. The evolutionist does not wish to believe God's
Word or to be dependent upon Him and yielded to His will; therefore
he constructs a theory of his own, and notwithstanding its
puerility, he tries to make people believe that it is the latest
verdict of science."
"If I understand you then, Professor Murdock," said Mr. Marshall,
"the truly great scientific minds repudiate evolution as an unproven
theory."
"Yes, Mr. Marshall, they certainly do; and Virchow, one of the
foremost in scientific ranks goes so far as to denounce the theory
as dangerous to the state, and has demanded that it be excluded from
the schools."
"I am sure that we all thank you, Professor Murdock, for the
enlightenment that you have given us, and I trust we shall profit by
it," said Tom.
"Uncle Roger, why don't Christian people study the Bible more, so
that they will not be fooled by evolutionists?" asked Ted.
"God grant that they may see the need of so doing," replied his
uncle, "and now Louise, we will let you proceed."
With a smile Louise continued, "Suppose we read verse
twenty-seven once more to see what else is stated in reference to
the creation of man."
"Image—'in His own image.' What does that mean, Professor Lou?"
inquired Sam.
"It means that God patterned man after Himself in this respect:
God is a thinking, choosing, loving Being; and He created man a
being who could think, choose and love," replied Louise.
"Oh!" exclaimed Nell abruptly, her eyes shining with the light of
sudden illumination, "God created human beings so that they could
know Him, choose His will and love Him."
"And I like to think that God created human beings that He might
have objects upon whom He could lavish His love," said Mrs. Harper,
gently. "Beings who would be able to choose His life, and thus
become His children."
"If God created Adam and Eve with the power to think, to choose,
to love,—if they had these powers the very first instant of their
being, they did not pass through a long evolutionary process; so
that is the end of that nonsense," said Sam with a positive,
satisfied air. A general laugh followed and Professor Murdock said
"God has given you a logical mind, Sam. He can use it in helping
others to understand His Word, if you choose to let Him do so."
"I certainly do choose," replied Sam very soberly. "I wish that
you would explain verse twenty-six, Lou," said Ted. "The word
'create' is not there at all."
"I think that we shall better understand this verse if we read
the seventh verse of chapter two," replied his sister. "As we read,
let us notice the verb used here."
Carefully the following words were read: "And the LORD God formed
man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life; and man became a living soul."
"Why, the verb used here is 'formed,' not 'created,' " said Ted,
with a puzzled look.
"Are not two distinct authors indicated by the different verbs
used, and the change from 'God' to 'LORD God?'" inquired Sallie.
"Our college professor in sacred literature told us that this was
so."
"I will ask Uncle Roger to help us at this point," replied
Louise.
"I shall try to be very simple in my explanation," said Professor
Murdock.
"Suppose that Mr. Marshall desires to undertake the manufacture
of a new line of goods. One day in conversation with his friend and
neighbor, Mr. Harper, he remarks, 'I have decided that I must have a
new manufacturing plant with up-to-date equipment;' and he proceeds
to describe the wonderful machinery which he contemplates
purchasing. Mr. Harper is much interested and asks 'what material
will you use in the construction of the building?' Mr. Marshall
replies, 'I shall construct it of cement.' Now Ted which was the new
manufacturing plant the machinery or the concrete building?'"
inquired Professor Murdock.
"Why, —why neither, uncle. I mean that it took both to make Mr.
Marshall's new manufactory."
"Certainly, Ted, but concerning which did Mr. Marshall have most
to say?"
"Why, the wonderful machinery," replied Ted. "Yes, and we might
call that the inner part, and the building the outer part, could we
not?" suggested his uncle.
"Yes, Uncle Roger, and the outer part would have to be made
first."
"Quite right; and now let us imagine that after the building is
complete and the machinery installed therein, Mr. Harper remarks to
a business acquaintance, 'Mr. Marshall has installed some new
up-to-date machinery,' and proceeds to describe the same. The man
appears much interested, and in the course of conversation, Mr.
Harper learns that he is Mr. Marshall's boyhood friend and
schoolmate; whereupon Mr. Harper fully describes the building of
cement and its appointments, as well as the machinery; concluding
with the statement—'so you see that John Marshall has the best
equipped manufacturing plant in the city.'
"Now boys, were there two men describing Mr. Marshall's
manufacturing plant, or one?"
"One," replied the boys in chorus.
"Then why the change of name?" asked Professor Murdock. "In one
sentence the owner of the plant is called 'Mr. Marshall,' and in the
next 'John Marshall,'" continued the professor.
"Mr. Harper called the owner 'John Marshall,' because he had just
learned that he was an old friend of his business acquaintance,"
quickly replied Sam.
"Yes, Sam, you are right. The new name implied an intimacy which
the former did not," replied Professor Murdock. "Now in the first
verse of the first chapter of Genesis we find the word 'God' which
in the Hebrew is 'Elohim,' the meaning of which is 'the strong, self
existent One'; but in verse seven of chapter two, we find 'LORD
God'—or 'Jehovah Elohim,' which signifies 'the self-existent One who
reveals Himself.' This is a more intimate name and suggests that in
the creation of man, God will have beings to whom He will be able to
reveal Himself."
"Does not the name Jehovah Elohim, or LORD God, point to the
'Word' of the first verse of the gospel of John?" inquired Mrs.
Harper.
"It does," replied Professor Murdock, and we need to remember
also that Jehovah is the redemptive name of God; therefore this new
name does not signify an other writer as the so-called 'higher
critics' teach, but it preciously sets forth the possibilities of a
new relationship between God and the human beings whom he has
created."
"Your explanation is very helpful, Professor Murdock," exclaimed
Mr. Marshall. "I am sure we all perceive that each of the various
verbs is used in precisely the right place. God desired human
beings, so He said 'Let us make man in our image, after our
likeness.' This is a declarative sentence concerning the origin of
man but it does not state whether man is to be created, or formed of
material previously created. However, we are told in the next verse
that the inner man was created; and in verse seven of the
second chapter, we are shown that the house in which this wonderful
creation was to be placed, was formed of dust. And very beautiful is
the change of names as we understand its significance. Not until the
creation of man, was there a created thing on earth to whom God
could reveal Himself. I am truly sorry that the higher critics have
entirely missed the point of the story."
"I have been thinking of some of the precious passages in the
epistles where the expression 'inner man' and 'outer man' are used,"
said Mrs. Harper. "In the sixteenth verse of the third chapter of
Ephesians, Paul prays for the Christians to whom he is writing that
they may be 'strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner
man;' and in the sixteenth verse of the fourth chapter of Second
Corinthians we read, 'though our outward man (the body) perish, yet
the inward man (the part that thinks, wills, loves and lives for
ever) is renewed day by day.' While in the first verse of the next
chapter, the body is plainly called 'our earthly house' which is
strengthened as God's Holy Spirit fills and controls the inner man."
"Professor Murdock, may I ask a question?" "Certainly, Sam. What
is it?"
"How long a time was the body of man formed before God created
the invisible part that thinks, wills and loves?"
"I think that when God breathed the human life-principle into
that lifeless body of prepared earth, the act of creation took
place," replied the professor. "Thus we see that man's appearance
was instantaneous. One moment there was not a human being in all the
universe; the next moment, a man in the full exercise of all his
wonderful powers, stood in the Garden of Eden—praising his Creator."
"Oh! how God has dignified—yes, honored man," exclaimed Mrs.
Harper.
"I am reminded of the words of Job that we find in the
seventeenth verse of the seventh chapter," said Mr. Harper, who had
quietly entered while Professor Murdock was speaking. "What is man
that thou shouldst magnify him, and that thou shouldst set thine
heart Upon him?"
"God has honored man and the evolutionists have degraded him,"
said Ned, who had been listening most attentively.
"Yes," replied Professor Murdock, "That is true, but they do not
understand what beings Adam and Eve were as they came from God's
creative hand."
"Professor Murdock," said Sallie, "do you mean to say that Adam
and Eve were as intelligent as human beings of today?"
"Why should they not be, Miss Atherton?"
"Why, because—because—because they had not enjoyed our
advantages," replied Sallie in evident confusion.
"But they had been created by God, and His creations were perfect
specimens of their respective planes of life," rejoined Professor
Murdock.
"Let me point you to a proof of Adam's wonderful powers. Let us
all read the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth verses of this
same chapter. Now I am sure that you are aware of the difficulties
attending classification of animals. At the present time proper
classification requires much careful study and no amateur would
attempt so formidable a task; yet this man easily classifies all the
animals brought before him."
"I had never thought of that before," said Sallie, and added,
"then you would seem to imply that Adam and Eve were superior to us
of today, Professor Murdock."
"Yes, Miss Atherton, in their powers of spirit, soul and body,
they were greatly superior to us. True, they were created for
something still higher—even sonship; or, in other words, they were
so created that they could choose to partake of the life of God; to
become partakers of the divine nature; but as they came from the
creative hand of God, they were superior to any of their
descendants. The trouble is this: there has been terrible
deterioration in the human race since the creation of Adam and Eve,
the cause of which, the Bible plainly reveals; and thank God, it
reveals the cure as well."
"I think I know what you mean Professor Murdock," said Nell. "You
refer to sin and to Christ's Redemptive work at Calvary, do you
not?"
"Indeed I do, Miss Helen, and I am glad that you know."
"Louise dear, may we read the eighth psalm? I have been thinking
of it all the evening," said gentle Mrs. Marshall.
"I am sure that it is most appropriate and we shall be glad to
read it, Mrs. Marshall," replied Louise.
As the grand old psalm was read by all, it seemed a fitting close
to the evening's study.
In the hush that followed, the members of the little group
realized that God had indeed given light; and when Mr. Harper said,
"Let us return thanks to God for His illumination," every head was
bowed and more than one heart said, "Amen."
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