340 LECTURES AND ESSAYS [1874-1877] 



of the truth. The doctrine of theological finality can 

 never be accepted, save in a Church very ignorant of 

 her own principles, or very indifferent to their practical 

 application. It is not well that long years of bitter 

 conflict should be necessary to produce the conviction, 

 that on one very secondary point of doctrine and con 

 stitution, our theology has not yet reached completeness. 

 On the basis of a thorough knowledge of what has been 

 already obtained, it is the constant business of the Church, 

 in knowledge as in practice, to reach on to more perfection. 

 And this must be sought, not only by the private labours 

 of individuals, but by the organised effort of the Church 

 as a whole to increase her provision for the acquisition 

 and the advance of sound science. That Church is not 

 wise which grudges to spend her best wisdom, her ablest 

 men, her richest means, on the twofold task of theological 

 research and theological instruction. 



