ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ὁδὸς καὶ ἡ ἀλήθεια καί ἡ ζωή.

ST JOHN XIV. 6.

ἐΝ ΑΥΤῷ ΖΩΜΕΝ ΚΑΙ ΚΙΝΟΥΜΕΘΑ καὶ ἐεΜέΝ.

ACTS XVII. 28.

First Edition 1892. Second 1895.

General statement of the scope of the inquiry

Three final existences assumed

tablished by argument

Each brings its own difficulties

i. Difficulties as to the conception of 'self'

(a) Origin

(b) Growth. Dependence. Influence of medium;

of mechanical inventions; of intellectual

conceptions

(d)

Complex nature of the individual man:

struggles: failure .

(e) Sternness of 'Nature'.

himself.

Yet man asserts

(f) looking to the future in spite of difficulties

ii. Difficulties as to the conception of 'the world'

(a) The mystery involved in our belief in the

external world: the relation between

our impressions and that which excites

them

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(b) The idea of a beginning: conclusions from . 21
(a) The dissipation of energy

(B) The discontinuity of the formulae

for conduction of heat

(7) The character of molecules

The idea of law: rests on Faith

Laws based on assumptions: explain no-

thing as to force

We have a sense of harmony in creation
At the same time we see a conflict in

We have a natural sympathy with the ex-
ternal world. This also is spiritual

We have also a belief in progress

iii. Difficulties as to the conception of 'GOD'

(a) No proof of the being of GOD possible:

alleged proofs are partial illustrations

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(d) The present relation of finite being to God

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The religious history of the world. History

of the Jews .

History of the Gentiles

THE DUTY AND NECESSITY OF DEALING

WITH THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE.

The sense of the mysteries of life leads us to seek

for some solution of the problems which they

suggest

(i) The problems must be dealt with in some way

Contents.

(ii) Action influenced by opinion

The moral standard of action

Conception of GOD as Moral Governor

Belief in a future life

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The view of the problems of life has in its

of the Incarnation

broad aspects a great practical importance

Further definition of the idea of GOD

Moral influence of living dogma

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Dogma is a necessity for us

(iii) It may be said that action will be guided
by experience not by theory

Such a view is subject to serious limitations.

And yet more character is to be taken into

account

The power of character is real if latent

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THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A SOLUTION

OF THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE MUST BE

SOUGHT.

Point reached

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Dangers from dominant influences

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Different kinds of truths and certainty in respect

of assertions regarding (i) self, (ii) the world,

(iii) GOD.

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(i) Truths dependent on the limitations of man's

present nature (conditions of time and

space).

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(ii) Truths expressing the results of man's ob-

servation of the external world; physical

and vital

Physical laws correspond with the isolation of
the action of particular forces .

Physical truth contrasted with Mathematical

truth.

The phenomena of life still more complicated

Historical truth different from Physical and

(iii) Truths relating to our knowledge of GOD
We must observe that

(a) The facts belonging to each Science are in-

(b)

(c)

The facts included in a complex phenomenon
can be severally isolated and examined
according to their proper laws

The methods of different Sciences are dis-

tinct

Application of these observations to Theo-

logy.

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(i) The fundamental facts must be given by GOD

This revelation must come through life.

Such 'signs' in life are the basis of Christian

Theology

They establish a connexion between the seen

(ii) The verification of these signs is up to a

Such a power corresponds with what has been

recognised before

The proof primarily personal, but capable of

wider extension .

Analogous to proofs in other cases.