On the Diversity of Origin of the Human Races [pp. 603-642]

Prof. Agassiz's New Hypothesis
they have been introduced subsequently to the creation of one
primitive stock." To this method of defence, by involving
others in the same condemnation with himself, we must again
beg leave to demur. There is a world wide difference between
the hypothesis which ascribes the inequality,-the moral and
social degradation of the negro, for example,-to a primitive
and separate origin, and that which regards it as a mere deterioration from one common primitive standard of humanity.
In the one case of course, it is hopeless. The stream can
never rise higher than the fountain. If such was the true
original created type, such it must remain substantially. In
this view of it, the author may well say, "we have always
considered it as a most injudicious proceeding, to attempt to
force the peculiarities of our white civilization of the nineteenth century (Christianity?) upon all nations of the world."
But if, on the other hand, those nations which have sunk lowest in barbarism, are only the more degenerate offspring of
the same parentage, and degenerate chiefly or wholly in consequence of the withdrawal of a pure religion, in order that it
might be kept pure by a single chosen people, under the immediate guidance and control of God himself, until Immanuel
should come to perfect and extend the work of man's rcgeneration:-if in a word, the theory of the Bible and the Christiani world be true, what hinders but the restoration of that
religion, now instinct with a divine power infused by the Son of
God, may, by a gradual regenerating influence, restore these
fallen races to their primitive condition; —or to use the language of the New Testament, that they may be "renewed in
knowledge after the image of him that created them." And
that this glorious consummation is not to be restricted to the
Jews, or even to the white races, the Apostle adds, "where there
is neither Jew nor Greek, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all and in all."
We have now endeavored to set the question on its true basis;
and having vindicated the title of the scriptures to be heard
as an authoritative witness in the case, we have shown that
their testimony is clear, multiform and decisive. We have
farther vindicated the credibility of their teaching, by pointing
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