34 



in which we were told how we should proceed iu our investigations so us to 

 lead up from one question to another. That was Voltaire's method. Vol- 

 taire wanted to be an Atheist, and he could not. In such an assembly as 

 this I need not scruple to give his own words : " Ce monde m'embarasse 

 et je ne puis songer que cet horloge existe, et n'a par d'horloger. 

 " This world troubles me. I cannot imagine how there can be this beautiful 

 world, and yet none to construct it." I believe that real, honest investigation 

 must always lea 1 to points like this. A remark has been made about works 

 of the Society being addressed to those outside. I remember an episode that 

 occurred in Gosport on one occasion. There was a man there named S 



who was in great trouble. I said to him: "S , what is the matter with 



you ? " He replied : " I have a set of fellows about me who are Atheists and 

 Infidels, and I don't know what. They are plaguing me morning, noon, and 

 night." I said, " take this book to them." It was Bishop Watson's answer 

 to Tom Paine. Those who remember Paine's time know that his book was 

 doing immense harm, and the Christian Knowledge Society brought out 



a cheap edition of Bishop Watson's reply. After S had taken that 



book to his friends he said it fell like a bombshell among them. They who 

 know the book know that Bishop Watson argues the whole matter learnedly 

 and simply, so that the most ignorant and the most intelligent and 

 well-informed can find something in it that will profit. I think that this 

 Society should endeavour to bring out books of this kind, and see that 

 they are clearly and simply written, and are circulated far and wide. 

 (Hear, hear.) It does not do to tell the masses they must not 

 read the works of our opponents, for they will read them. I am a good 

 deal among the manfacturing population in Yorkshire. An artizan in 

 Bradford came up to me in the street the other day and said : " Bishop 

 Ryan, I am very much troubled in mind." I asked him why ? He replied : 

 " I have been reading Professor Tyndall's address at Belfast." I asked him 

 how often he had read it right through ? " Once," he answered. Then I 

 told him that I had read it three times and suggested that he should road 

 it again. The man did so, and his trouble vanished. The fact is, that we 

 must show boldness, especially in this matter. With regard to other books, 

 I have seen those containing gross and violent attacks on Christianity, and 

 have kept them in my study, saying to those who came to me about them : 

 " There are the books, read them if you like ; but read also the answers to 

 them." (Hear.) There was one remark made by the Bishop of Derry 

 which was exactly what had been passing through my mind : It was with 

 regard to Lord O'Neill's statement being deep and solid, and coining from 

 the heart. With regard to Herbert Spencer, I think his accusing Christians 

 of ascribing a love of adulation to God, only shows what straits men 'are in 

 for an argument when they are driven to the use of such words. Let us 

 all remember that whenever there is anything very startling we ought to 

 examine it, and it may be that, as in this Institute, we shall find that 

 in the discussion of infidel objections we come to the blessed truth of the 



