Between the scientists and the literal interpreters of the Bible the war has been long and fierce, and has raged on many a battle front; but so far, the scientists have won in every contest. There was once a battle between the scientists and those who believed the earth to be flat--for did not John, the Revelator, see four angels standing on the four corners of the earth? The literalists were defeated. There was once a contest between the astronomers and those who believed the sun and moon revolved around the earth--“And he said in the sight of all Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajelon.... So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.” (Joshua, 10:12, 13). The literalists were defeated. There was once a clash between the geologists and those who believed the world to have been created in six twenty-four-hour days. Again the literalists were defeated. There is a combat between those who hold the view that all organisms including man were created by natural laws--operating just as they do today--and those who hold to either the potter or the vocal process of creation. The latter--well, they occupy the same position as those did who said the earth is flat, and that it was made between the blink o’ morn on that great First Monday 6,000 years ago and the evening twilight the following Saturday. Scientists do not claim that life on this earth began by accident, or that anything “just happens.” On the contrary, it is owing to science that a belief in accidents and chance in the material world has been banished from thinking minds. It is true that a great majority of the people still believe in chance in the psychic world; such as, a certain individual prompted by certain motives, and acting in accord with his nature under certain conditions, did a certain thing, when the same individual prompted by the same motives could have done otherwise--that is to say, the same causes acting under the same conditions can produce effects of various kinds, either good acts or bad acts. But science will finally force the world to accept the whole truth--that mind is as much subject to law as is matter; that the thoughts, desires, deeds of men are shaped by law. Scientists are trying to teach us to exercise our powers of reason, to form our own opinions from the evidence, not passively to accept opinions on authority. Their method is the direct opposite of that of the orthodox theologians. The latter wish us to regard authority, in matters of religion especially, as superior to reason. No, Mr. Opponent, I don’t wish anyone to forsake his old belief and accept mine on my authority--or that of anyone else. Let reason and evidence be the only authority.