Part 10 (1/2)
[74] I should somewhere show how much better a treatise Butler might have written had he known about evolution as the general law of nature.
[75] See Gore's _Bampton Lectures_, lect. ii.
[76] _Pensees_, pp. 205 ff.
[77] [Romanes' line of argument in this note seems to me impossible to maintain. The emphasis which Jesus Christ lays on diabolic agency is so great that, if it is not a reality, He must be regarded either as seriously misled about realities which concern the spiritual life, or else as seriously misleading others. And in neither case could He be even the perfect Prophet. I think I am justified in explaining my disagreement with Romanes' argument at this point particularly.--ED.]
[78] [There is nothing in Darwin's _writings_ which seems to me to justify Romanes in attributing this difficulty to him specially. But he knew Darwin so intimately and reverenced him so profoundly that he is not likely to have been in error on the subject.--ED.]
+Concluding Note by the Editor:--+
The intellectual att.i.tude towards Christianity expressed in these notes may be described as--(1) 'pure agnosticism' in the region of the scientific 'reason,' coupled with (2) a vivid recognition of the spiritual necessity of faith and of the legitimacy and value of its intuitions; (3) a perception of the positive strength of the historical and spiritual evidences of Christianity.
George Romanes came to recognize, as in these written notes so also in conversation, that it was 'reasonable to be a Christian believer' before the activity or habit of faith had been recovered. His life was cut short very soon after this point was reached; but it will surprise no one to learn that the writer of these 'Thoughts' returned before his death to that full, deliberate communion with the Church of Jesus Christ which he had for so many years been conscientiously compelled to forego.
In his case the 'pure in heart' was after a long period of darkness allowed, in a measure before his death, to 'see G.o.d.'
_Fecisti nos ad te, Domine; et inquietum est cor nostrum donec requiescat in te_.
OXFORD: HORACE HART PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY
ADVERTIs.e.m.e.nTS
The Oxford Library of Practical Theology
Edited by the Rev. W.C.E. NEWBOLT, M.A., Canon and Chancellor of St. Paul's; and the Rev. DARWELL STONE, M.A., Librarian of the Pusey House, Oxford.
+RELIGION+. By the Rev. W.C.E. NEWBOLT, M.A., Canon and Chancellor of St. Paul's. [_Fifth Impression_.
'_The Oxford Library of Practical Theology_ makes a good beginning with Canon Newbolt's volume on religion.... The publishers have spared no pains in making the appearance of the volumes as attractive as possible. The binding, type, and general ”get up” of the volume just issued leave nothing to be desired.'--_Guardian_.
+HOLY BAPTISM+. By the Rev. DARWELL STONE, M.A., Librarian of the Pusey House, Oxford. [_Third Edition_.
'Few books on Baptism contain more thoughtful and useful instruction on the rite, and we give Mr. Stone's effort our highest approval. It might well be made a text-book for candidates for the diaconate, or at least in theological colleges. As a book for thoughtful laymen it is also certain to find a place.'--_Church Times_.
+CONFIRMATION+. By the Right Rev. A.C.A. HALL, D.D., Bishop of Vermont.
[_Third Impression_.
'To the parochial clergy this volume may be warmly commended. They will find it to be a storehouse of material for their instruction, and quite the best treatise that we have on the subject it treats.
It is thoroughly practical, and gives exactly the kind of teaching that is wanted.'--_Guardian_.
+THE HISTORY OF THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER+. By the Rev. LEIGHTON PULLAN, M.A., Fellow of St. John Baptist's College, Oxford, [_Third Edition_.
'Mr. Pullan's book will no doubt have, as it deserves to have, a large number of readers, and they will gain a great deal from the perusal of it. It may be certainly recommended to the ordinary layman as by far the best book on the subject available.'--_Pilot_.
+HOLY MATRIMONY+. By the Rev. W.J. KNOX LITTLE, M.A., Canon of Worcester. [_Second Edition_.