Self -reverence, self -knowledge, self-control, 



These three alone lead life to sovereign power. 



Yet not for power (power of herself 



Would come uncalled foi-), but to live by law, 



Acting the law we live by without fear ; 



And, because right is right, to follow right 



Were wisdom in the scorn of consequence. — TennysoK". 



YII 



THEEE is an idea regarding the nature of man 

 which modern philosophy has sought, and is still 

 seeking, to raise into clearness; the idea, namely, 

 of secular growth. Man is not a thing of yesterday; nor 

 do I imagine that the slightest controversial tinge is im- 

 ported into this address when I say that he is not a 

 thing of 6,000 years ago. Whether he came originally 

 from stocks or stones, from nebulous gas or solar fire, I 

 know not; if he had any such origin, the process of his 

 transformation is as inscrutable to you and me as that of 

 the grand old legend, according to which "the Lord God 

 formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into 

 his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living 

 soul." But, however obscure man's origin may be, his 

 growth is not to be denied. Here a little and there a 

 little added through the ages have slowly transformed 

 him from what he was into what he is. The doctrine 

 has been held that the mind of the child is like a sheet 



^ Delivered at University College, London, Session 1868-G9. 



(99) 



