g6 HEREDITY AND CHRISTIAN PROBLEMS 



equally that each individual in a normal condition 

 may choose for himself either to obey or disobey. 

 All penal institutions presuppose the power of 

 choice misused. Every invitation of religion is an 

 indication of belief that men are able to rise supe- 

 rior to their innate tendencies and their circum- 

 stances, and choose for themselves the best things. 

 And society in general has virtually unquestioning 

 faith in the principle. When wrong has been 

 done, the common judgment of men, after all due 

 allowance has been made for palliating circum- 

 stances, holds transgressors responsible for their 

 choices. Human institutions are no doubt imper- 

 fect, but they do not in their inmost and essential 

 nature bear witness to falsehood. Consciousness, 

 in spite of all voices that attempt to smother it, 

 utters its unceasing assertion of freedom. 



What, now, may we say to the inevitable inquiry 

 concerning the nature of the will ? I reply in a 

 passage quoted from Ribot, which perhaps comes 

 as near as we shall soon get to an answer. It is 

 as follows : — 



" Wundt, in a very remarkable and important 

 work, full of facts and ideas, which unites to 

 the experimental and positive method of English 

 psychology a certain German boldness without 

 rashness, puts the question of free will under a 



