undertaking such vast labours, which, only through unwearying energies, enabled him to successfully achieve the ambition of a long life, entirely devoted to the service of God. ALEX. J. H. ELLIOT, MAJOR-GEN. K.C.B. P.S.-It is earnestly hoped that the clergy of all denominations will call for this book, as the scientific bearings on the truths contained in Holy Scripture are largely treated, and should be learnt and taught by all—especially as there is no allusion to controversial subjects from the first page to the last.-A. J. H. E. LONDON, October 4th, 1897. COPY OF LETTER. London, October 1st, 1897. MY DEAR FRIEND AND GENERAL, With great pleasure I grant your request. The book is revised in every part, is sufficiently comprehensive as an adequate exposition for students; nor will it be found to fail in science, grasp and explanation of specific difficulties, for those who think that Revelation and Science give the facts and sweet reasonings which guide, console, and strengthen beautiful life. The truths are not put forth controversially; but reasonably exhibited in agreement with the best thoughts and emotions of devout scientific intellects. "We should count time by heart-throbs; he most lives Bailey, in his Festus. The endeavour throughout is to deepen our knowledge of nature: its antiquity, vastness, complexity; and to exhibit science as casting light upon that which is dark, as unravelling mysteries so that our most advanced and accurate professors are in their piety and knowledge the prophets of our own day, who enable us more perfectly and happily to understand the Way of Life. The Bible is not vaunted as a compendium of all science; but as true in all its parts, rightly understood; and in its smallest statements, like the apparent trivialities of nature, establishing truths good and rare which exceed all our thought. I am, allow me to say, Affectionately yours, JOSEPH WILLIAM REYNOLDS. To General Sir Alexander J. H. Elliot, K.C.B. MAN is a pilgrim, bound to the earth with many ligaments, while the nobler part of him, like an angel, hastens onward and upward. J. W. R. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION SCIENTIFIC THOUGHT. "C NON PROFICERE EST DEFICERE." "He who will eat the kernel must crack the nut." "Not noted, But of the finer natures, by some severals, MY LORD, To the Visitor of Sion College. Winter's Tale. This book went forth with its parentage unacknowledged, lest scientists, who boast against Christianity, should refuse to hear an argument drawn from their own line of things by a clerical pen. Now that it has received and endured not a little fearless criticism; now that every line of its statement is allowed by the thoughtful to be capable of further production into new regions of thought; it would be cowardly and disobedient to evade the responsibility of authorship. Honoured by your request so to do, I affix my name; and, being President of Sion College this year, use that title at the express wish of the Court. This College, your Lordship well knows, is not only for devotional, intellectual, and social meetings of the clergy; but for kindly discussion with men of science, that we may know the extent and meaning of their discoveries. A clear thinker, acknowledging the skill, and honouring the zeal of those who exhibit their stores, is conscious that -though science is simply common sense applied to phenomena―scientific eyesight is not always scientific insight: a defect more sure to bring heartache than blossom to yield fruit. A steeplechase philosophy of novelty is in vogue. Specialism assumes the functions and honours of universalism. Materialists use mind to subject Nature; then, mental control being established, give to matter supreme capacity. Mr. Ruskin says-" The use of the word 'scientia' as if it differed from ‘knowledge' is a modern barbarism, enhanced usually by the assumption that the knowledge of the difference between acids and alkalis is more respectable than that of the difference between vice and virtue." Genius of the poet, artist, thinker, corrects that barbarism, widens the meaning of things, and enlarges all that is sacred; elevates life, carries the world into ideal sphere; and would see— "Nature to advantage dressed, What oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressed." The evil habit of regarding the outer world of matter, and the inner world of intelligence and emotion, as nothing more than the concave and convex of the same substance: is error gross and grievous as that pounds and pence make rich, not heart and mind bless or curse for ever. Advantageous and permanent moral changes, whether in nations or individuals, are wrought not by direct action of outer circumstances, but by voluntary effort of nations and individuals. Every-day life has a speciality which Wisdom tries to find because it prepares for to-morrow's gain. We know the old civilisations degenerated in moral tissue, lost intellectual vigour, and were smitten with decay. Exact uniformity cannot be found anywhere, at any time, in anything; nor can materialism, apart from intelligence, explain any order of events, nor any one thing in any order. Sense of sight cannot assure us that there is no one in the dark, nor sense of hearing be certain that every sound is heard. The simplest facts known are not ultimate, but made up of simpler or more complex. Slighting these truths, we lose the beauty of great attainment; insight to discern that Christianity, even in its present sadly imperfect development, is the head of science, literature, morals, civilisation, the world. It is time that true men, raise on assured basis the great superstructure of sacred emotion, right thinking, wise conduct, and attain all that is attainable by our faculties. Whatever be the world's age, it is new and strange to every |