SCIENCE AND RELIGION 217 



which our poetry and religion must be harmo- 

 nious. Apart from this, another test of the valid- 

 ity of our mystical feelings and transcendental 

 constructions is their value in our life. 



HERBERT SPENCER'S POSITION. As we have 

 referred to the religious convictions of intellectual 

 giants like Clerk Maxwell and Lord Kelvin, so 

 we would in fairness illustrate a different posi- 

 tion by reference to Herbert Spencer, who also 

 belonged to the kingdom of genius. Disagree 

 with his views as one may, one cannot doubt 

 either the magnitude of his intellect or his pas- 

 sionate sincerity. 



In early days he was an uncompromising critic 

 af particular theological doctrines and religious 

 customs, but a wider knowledge convinced him 

 almost against his will that some sort of religious 

 cult has been an indispensable factor in social 

 progress. He looked forward to a stage in which,! 

 "recognizing the mystery of things as insoluble,! 

 religious organizations will be devoted to ethical* 

 culture. 



"Thus I have come more and more to look 

 calmly on forms of religious belief to which I had, 

 in earlier days, a pronounced aversion. Holding 

 that they are in the main naturally adapted to 

 their respective peoples and tunes, it now seems 

 to me well that they should severally live and 

 work as long as the conditions persist, and, fur- 



