PREFACE 



XI 



of human knowledge, and some time in the long 

 future, as the result of the labours of those that 

 have gone before them, we may hope that men 

 will no more see " through a glass darkly, but 

 face to face." In the meantime, it is occasion 

 for devout thanksgiving that, largely as the re- 

 sult of recent scientific progress, the views con- 

 cerning duty and responsibility are becoming 

 juster and more humane ; the outlook on the 

 world's weakness and sorrow, its vice and crime, 

 not quite so discouraging ; the doctrines concern- 

 ing God and human destiny far more worthy of 

 His immortal children. 



It remains for me only to say that this book 

 condenses many years of study and thought. 

 Its chapters have been written at different times 

 and for different occasions ; some of them have 

 seen the light in magazines and reviews, but 

 it is my hope that they may be found not without 

 unity in thought and aim, even though their form 

 may sometimes suggest the diverse circumstances 

 under which they have been prepared. In almost 

 every case I have made full acknowledgment 

 of my indebtedness to various authors. In a 

 few instances, however, the full reference has 

 been lost. In such cases I have still referred 

 to the authors, when known, without attempt- 



