PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. "Negligentia mihi videtur, si postquam confirmati sumus in fide, non studemus quod credimus intelligere."-ANSELM. "We must have reason and science as our allies, if the world is to be won for Christ."—Quarterly Review, January, 1881. As a student of physical science, and having much in common with those who are exclusively and professionally devoted to its pursuit, I greatly regret that some, with no little ostentation, refuse and misrepresent our most holy and revealed Religion. They do this with dogmatic presumptuous assertion, utterly unbecoming men the very nature of whose pursuits should render them not less humble-minded than careful. Scientific men, generally, are worthy of all praise for skilful self-denying labour; and merit high honour because of their noble character and beneficent work. To these I renew the respectful dedication of this book. By some of them a scientific and philosophical proof of miracles is deemed impossible, therefore "Let us once again assail your ears, That are so fortified against our story." Hamlet. The proof afforded in the following pages is cumulative. Every Thought enters new regions, new experiences, and encounters new difficulties. Every part is so far complete in itself as not to be bound to another by viii Preface to the Second Edition. any outward formal order; but the thinker will find that various doors, passages within and windows looking without, render the whole a habitation of intelligence; and the reader is called upon continually to exercise his own speciality of reason. A few of the Thoughts, for the sake of completeness, contain a repetition of somewhat similar arguments. Hearty thanks are due to those critics who so indulgently received the first edition. Their comments have been profited by. Two new Thoughts-"Elimination of Chance from the Universe" and "Miracles of the Present Day"-have been added to this edition. The titles of six others, XII., XIII., XIV., XV., XXVIII., XXIX., have been altered. I am grateful to various friends for suggestions and help. Special thanks are due to the Reverend Charles C. Collins, M.A., Vicar of St. Mary Aldermanbury, London, for revising the proof sheets; and to the Reverend James Gylby Lonsdale, M.A., Woodleigh, Mayfield, Sussex, formerly Professor of Classical Literature in King's College, London, whose ripe scholarship, accurate as wide, enabled me to enrich this edition with more gems of classic lore than my own unaided memory, of late much exercised in scientific investigation, could afford. There is a mystery and there is a power in all natural processes of which scientific men are conscious, but not able to explain. A power always active—a mystery ever present— CONTENTS. PAGE 223 They Elevate the Meaning of Scripture and Enlarge our Thought as to the Work of Nature. Great and Strange Things to be Looked for Gifted Men obtain Insight as to Mysteries Germ of the Present Conception-Why I Thought Coming of Life without Observation-Plants Consummation in Man-Conception of Christ THE DENIAL OF MIRACLES IS UNSCIENTIFIC. The Position of Spinoza cannot be Maintained Littles wherewith to Measure the Great Origin of Nature Miraculous 15 No Mental Miracles if the Physical are Impossible We can no more Create our Consciousness of Divine Action than our Minuteness and Gradation of Life and Motion, High and Low Degree Thought A Sixth Sense, Insight Imaginary Quantities Practical Conclusions and Realizations" Changes, Linking, and Making nigh of Things far off ARE MIRACLES IMPROBABLE? They are not Improbable, Science of History enforces acceptance Statements by Rothe, Van Mildert, Hey, Christlieb, Mansel Improbability of the Improbability as to Miracles Nature of the Asserted Improbability Everything of Miraculous Origin The Continuance is Miraculous Miracles and Common Events are both by Deviation Miracles can only be Refused by a Quibble Progress not without Direction and Heart of Reason Miracles are Signs and Tests of Faith-Mansel. Miracles and Doctrines are for Mutual Confirmation and Eluci- 67 |