rise to contention in the Church. I have chosen it with preference to every other, not only because it has higher claims than others to our attention and respect for the sake of its author, from whom no one would wish needlessly to differ, but also, because treating, as it does, of the History contained in the Bible, and being addressed to candidates for Holy Orders, it must, of course be at once, the most important, the most earnest, and the most accurate book of the sort; and therefore fittest for the study of the philosophy which is now the fashion, and which we are told to reconcile with the Bible; "the sooner the better for the clergy of the land." At all events, we hear so much of this philosophy, that since, after all, the teachers thereof do not tell us wherein it consists, we are left, in selfdefence, to try and find it out for ourselves. The more so, indeed, as it seems to be the key-note of all intellect, ability, and knowledge of the present day; so that it is worth our while to examine it and see, whether we too must adopt it, or, whether we may not still keep to our own primitive Faith and to our old-fashioned love and reverence for the Bible, without for all that, finding ourselves outside the pale of intelligence or of common sense. I therefore bring. together as a starting point, a few principles common to all kinds of philosophy, both ancient and modern ; to which my readers may turn occasionally in order to compare them with the new teaching offered; without a constant reference to them on my part. And having done so, I consider in a few plain words how much of this new doctrine our own philosophy, sense and experience allow us either to receive or to reject, according to what we read "in the Scripture of Truth." My intention was to have reviewed the whole book, in answer to several inquiries from strangers as well as from friends, who had been alarmed or startled at some of the Dean's assertions; but I found so many more things to notice than I had expected, that I have been obliged to limit myself to the first five lectures only. These, however, will suffice to show that the Truth has nothing whatever to fear from such 'free inquiry ;' and that it requires at all times far less earnestness to differ from the Bible than to agree with it. And if in this work, written entirely for the occasion, and, I honestly confess, with grief at having to vindicate Truths dear to our innermost hearts and souls from the insinuations of a high dignitary, as well as with mortification for the credit of my own University at having to correct, in many simple matters, the teaching of one of her Regius Professors, I have myself fallen into error, I shall be truly obliged to any one who will point it out to me, in an honest and manly spirit. The cause at issue and the interests at stake are both so far above any personal considerations, that I shall be satisfied if the Truth be established, and I proved in the wrong; though, of course, only by men. who will fairly read this book, study the subject, and then judge of it for themselves. At the same time I am well aware that in this case I may seem to some to write to little purpose. To some, perhaps ; but not to all. To many, whose manly spirit raises them above the meanness of prejudice, the Truth is yet greatest; and fair play still a jewel. I write for them; and if I can reclaim only one mind from doubt to Faith, and from scorn to reverence and worship for the Bible, I shall have worked to good purpose; for I write to help Christians in doubt to set themselves right, and not to refute infidels and sceptics, of whose state of mind I can form no idea whatever. Truth, we know, did not at first prevail on the plain of Dura; and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had no chance of being heard while the cornet, sackbut, and dulcimer sounded, and the shouts of the multitude rang the praises of the golden image King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Yet, whether heard or not, they were in the right; and, strong in that feeling, they would rather abide true to their Faith, alone, and only three, and that too, in the fiery furnace in company with the Son of GOD, than wait with a crowd around the king's table. They believed, they trusted, they won; because they feared Him most at Whose Word even the King of Babylon trembled. And He still is the Living GOD. For, as there was then, so also now there is, the same principle holier and deeper, the same Faith more precious, and the same Hope more sure and steadfast, than anything this world can either promise or give. S. C. MALAN. BROADWINDSOR, December 20, 1864. |