In itself the _theory of evolution_, which asserts the variability of species of animals and plants, is by no means opposed to religious truths. It neither includes a necessity of assuming the origin of the human soul from the essentially lower animal soul, nor is it an atheistic theory. On the contrary, such an evolution would most clearly certify to God’s wisdom in laying such a wonderful basis for the progress of nature, provided this theory could be proved by scientific facts; indeed, for an evolution within narrow limits, circumstantial evidence is not lacking. That there is no contradiction between the theory of evolution and the fundamental tenets of Christian Creed is sufficiently shown by the representatives of the theory. _Lamarck_ (died 1829) and _Saint-Hilaire_ (died 1844), both of them representatives of the theory of evolution long before _Darwin_, believed in God. There were, prior to _Darwin_, two celebrated Catholic scientists, to wit, _Ampère_ and _d’Omalius_, who had decidedly taken the part of _Saint-Hilaire_ in his controversy with _Cuvier_. And also after _Darwin_, a number of Christian and Catholic scientists have contended for the idea of evolution, as, for instance, the pious Swiss geologist, _Heer_; also _Quenstedt_, _Volkmann_, and the American geologist, _Ch. Lyell_. More recently Catholic scientists have expressed themselves in favour of the theory of evolution; for instance, the noted zoölogist, _E. Wasmann_, and the geologists _Lossen_ and _W. Waagen_, both of whom had to bring bitter sacrifices in their career on account of their Catholic faith. Mature Science Respects Faith. There have now passed in review the great natural scientists of the past, those living at the present time we shall leave to the judgment of the future. Is it true, then, that the foremost representatives of natural science had the conviction that science and faith are incompatible? No! On the contrary, most of them, and the greatest of them, have professed the fundamental truths of religion, or have even been devout Christians themselves. “Theism in natural science, or, if you prefer, in natural philosophy,” so says a modern scientist, “rests upon the basis of a fundamental view which an old formula has clothed in words as simple as they are sublime: ‘I believe in God, the Almighty Creator of Heaven and of Earth.’ This confession does not cling to theistic scientists like an egg-shell from the time of unsophisticated childhood faith; it is the result of their entire scientific thought and judgment. This conviction has been professed by the most discerning natural scientists of all ages” (_J. Reinke_, Naturwissenschaft und Religion).