78 Darwinism and Other Essays. 



to me, as it does to Professor Huxley, a very 

 sorry business. On the other hand, I cannot 

 agree with those who consider a dogmatic belief 

 in another life essential to the proper discharge 

 of our duty in this. Though we may not know 

 what is to come hereafter, we have at any rate all 

 the means of knowledge requisite for making our 

 present lives pure and beautiful. It was Jeho- 

 vah's cherished servant who declared in Holy 

 Writ that his faith was stronger than death. 

 There is something overwhelming in the thought 

 that all our rich stores of spiritual acquisition 

 may at any moment perish with us. But the 

 wise man will cheerfully order his life, undaunted 

 by the metaphysical snares that beset him ; learn- 

 ing and learning afresh, as if all eternity lay be- 

 fore him battling steadfastly for the right, as if 

 this day were his last. " Disce ut semper victu- 

 rus, vive ut eras moriturus." 



December, 1877. 



