Understanding of an artical

The
hypothesis of natural selection may not be a complete explanation, but it led
to a great thing than itself-an acceptance of the theory of organic evolution,
which the years have but confirmed. Yet at first
some naturalists joined the opposition. To the many, who were unable to judge the biological evidence, the effect of the
theory of evolution seemed incredible as well as devastating, to run counter to
common sense and to overwhelm all philosophic and religious landmarks. Even
educated man, choosing between the Book of Genesis and the Origin of Species,
proclaimed with Disraeli that he was "on
the side of Angels."

…

Somatic
cells can only reproduce cells like themselves, but germ cells give rise not
only to the germ cells of a new individual but to all the many types of cell in
his body. Germ cells descend from germ cells in a pure
line of germ plasm, but somatic cells trace their origin to germ cells.





From Evolution and Natural Selection by W.C.
Dampier

1. If "Yet" here is a conjunction, it
   should be used within a sentence, between two clauses, right? But it seems
   common that some conjunctions are used at the beginning of a new sentence
   or even a new paragraph. Or perhaps it is because these conjunctions are
   also adverbs? Is this wrong or just informal?

1. what
   does "judge the biological evidence" mean?

1. How to understand the sentence Even educated man, choosing between the Book of Genesis
   and the Origin of Species, proclaimed
   with Disraeli that he was "on the side of
   Angels." Was "the educated man"
   Disraeli? What does "with Disraeli" mean?

1. What dose "in a pure line of" mean?

Thank you very much for your answers!