Was Man Created?

In Short

This book is a Victorian-era synthesis of science and philosophy that attempts to bridge the divide between creationism and the theory of evolution. Originally presented as a lecture, it guides the reader from the most primitive forms of biological life—the protoplasm—through the complex development of the animal kingdom, ultimately arriving at the emergence of man. By grounding its arguments in contemporary research while maintaining a theological framework, the work seeks to prove that science and divine purpose can coexist, offering a fascinating, if dated, snapshot of a pivotal moment in intellectual history.

The Story

The narrative begins at the very dawn of biological existence. It posits that all life, regardless of its eventual complexity, emerges from a simple, homogeneous ball of protoplasm. This fundamental substance serves as the bridge between the inorganic and the organic worlds, acting as the primary agent of life. The author argues that while chemistry cannot yet replicate life in the laboratory, the hypothesis of spontaneous generation—occurring under the unique environmental conditions of the early earth—is a necessary component of the evolutionary model.

From this primordial starting point, the story unfolds through a detailed, branching tree of life. It describes the transition from simple worm-like ancestors to the first vertebrates, noting that the development of a dorsal nerve marrow and spinal rod defines the trajectory toward more complex creatures. The author carefully maps how sexual reproduction, emerging from earlier hermaphroditic states, accelerated biological diversity. By the time the account reaches the era of skull-bearing animals and eventually man, it frames the evolutionary process not as a chaotic accident, but as a mechanism refined by natural selection—a process that rewards the "fittest" organisms with survival based on their ability to adapt to their surroundings.

As the argument shifts toward human beings, it tackles the "foolish human weakness" of resisting the inclusion of man in the animal series. It details how the loss of hair, the development of language, and the emergence of moral and mental faculties were all subject to the same evolutionary pressures seen in other species. However, the book does not stop at the physical or the mental; it pushes into the metaphysical. It argues that the development of religious belief and the concept of an immortal soul are not primordial traits, but rather the fruits of an improving human reason.

The conclusion reaches for a synthesis of physics and faith. Drawing on theories of the time, the author suggests that because force is essentially an act of intelligent will, the entire universe—including human consciousness—remains a perpetual creation of a divine power. The ending moves beyond the visible world, speculating that the physical acts of human thought may leave an imprint on an "unseen universe," potentially providing a scientific basis for the survival of the spirit. Thus, the argument moves full circle: from the initial spark of life in a primeval ocean to the eventual promise of an eternal existence, all held together by a belief in an underlying, intelligent designer.

How It Unfolds

The Unity of Life The opening section establishes a common origin for all living things by identifying protoplasm as the building block of both plants and animals. It asserts that despite vast differences in size and complexity, a threefold unity of structure and faculty binds the fungus to the whale.

The Mechanism of Change The discussion transitions to the theory of evolution, explaining that natural selection acts as a slow but relentless filter for survival. By comparing artificial breeding with the harsh realities of the wild, the author illustrates how organisms modify their traits to fit their specific environments.

The Ancestry of Man The middle chapters trace the path from primitive worms to modern humanity, focusing on anatomical transitions. These passages emphasize how rudimentary organs and embryonic similarities provide the physical evidence for our link to the rest of the animal kingdom.

The Evolution of Mind The focus shifts to the development of higher attributes, such as curiosity, reason, and language. The author demonstrates that these skills, once thought unique to humans, exist in rudimentary forms within the animal world, marking a gradual rather than an instantaneous rise to human intelligence.

Faith and Physics The final movement reconciles evolution with the existence of a creator. By identifying energy as a manifestation of divine will, the work argues that scientific discovery does not negate religion but instead reveals the complex, ongoing process of creation itself.

The People

The book acts as a grand debate, bringing together a chorus of nineteenth-century intellectual figures rather than traditional characters. Henry A. Mott acts as the narrator and guide, a man of science who refuses to be intimidated by the religious dogmas of his time, yet who remains deeply committed to a spiritual worldview. He positions himself against the "class of people" who are so entrenched in their narrow interpretations of scripture that they reject scientific evidence, yet he is careful to align himself with thinkers who maintain a belief in a higher order.

Charles Darwin looms large as the architect of the theory of descent, though Mott is careful to frame him as a man who understood human frailty, noting that Darwin avoided mentioning man in his first works to avoid inciting unnecessary outrage. Ernst Haeckel is frequently cited as the primary authority on the biological path of evolution, providing the technical evidence for human ancestry. Philosophers and theologians like Jonathan Edwards and Dr. McCosh are brought in as pillars of support, providing the bridge between physical observation and the "intelligent mind" required to explain the universe. Through this cast, the reader sees a conflict between the raw data of nature and the human desire for meaning. Each figure is utilized to steer the reader toward a middle ground where the "survival of the fittest" can exist in harmony with a universe sustained by divine power.

In Its Own Voice

"No matter how wonderful this may seem, the fact stares us in the face that the entire human child, as well as every animal with all their great future possibilities, are in their first stage a small ball of this complex homogeneous substance."

In describing the initial stage of biological development, the author emphasizes the commonality between all living beings.

"The belief, then, of the existence of an Omnipotent God came with the development of the mental faculties; and although there does exist such a belief in the minds of men whose conscience is in a normal condition, still there are temptations to unbelief, and these have led men to atheism."

Here, the author reconciles the late arrival of religious consciousness with the necessity of faith as a product of human reason.

What It's Really About

At its core, this work explores the tension between materialist science and spiritual longing. It asks whether humanity can accept its biological roots without losing its sense of purpose. The book argues that evolution is not a narrative of random chance, but a divine process of refinement. The question of whether we are the product of an indifferent nature or a deliberate creator is central to every chapter. By focusing on the "unseen universe" and the permanence of energy, the author attempts to provide a modern, scientific validation for the soul. The underlying anxiety—and the ultimate hope—is that humanity, having risen from the lowest forms of life, is destined for a higher, immortal state of perfection.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of science or the evolution of religious thought will find this an essential artifact. It captures the exact moment when the Victorian mind was forced to grapple with the seismic shift caused by Darwinism. The prose is earnest, warm, and highly academic for its time, reflecting a period when a polymath could speak confidently on chemistry, theology, and philosophy in a single breath.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the difficulties of a nineteenth-century perspective. The author’s view on "savage races" and his categorization of different levels of civilization are firmly rooted in the prejudices of the 1880s, which will feel jarring and outdated to a contemporary audience. Furthermore, the reliance on dense, multi-page lists of footnotes and references can slow the pace, though these provide a fascinating glimpse into the intellectual sources of the era. The book is not a modern scientific text; it is a historical document of an attempt to save faith through the language of science. It remains a compelling study for those who want to understand how the Victorians tried to reconcile the cathedral spire with the primeval soup, and why, for many, that effort remains a deeply human endeavor.