1 1 8 Concluding Observations. 



controversies, in which religion is inseparably con- 

 nected with science, are conducted with much less 

 acrimony than characterized them in by-gone times. 

 And never before were half-learned attempts to per- 

 suade the masses that we are not creatures of an 

 Intelligent Spirit governing what is called this mate- 

 rial universe and to escape from such superinten- 

 dence too often very embarrassing even to the best of 

 men presented to everyone at all literate, in subtle 

 and beguiling forms. Does it not, then, behove all 

 who have the welfare of the community at heart to 

 cultivate whatever tends to prepare us for healthy 

 and cheerful views on such subjects ? and these are 

 much influenced by the state of our health and spirits, 

 and these again by our recreations. 



History teaches us that, in every stage of civiliza- 

 tion, men of largest capacity and highest education 

 have deeply felt the need of the help which Eeligion 

 alone affords. Such men, with millions of others, 

 may be said to live three lives the public, the 

 domestic, and the private much of which latter is 

 unseen and unknown by even the nearest and dearest 

 friends. David Hume said it was a mistake to sup- 

 pose that he thought in private as he reasoned in his 

 published essays. Caesar could ridicule in public 

 the popular religions, but he never mounted a chariot 

 without muttering a private charm or secret incanta- 

 tion. Before the battle of Pharsalia he addressed a 

 prayer to the gods whom he denied in the senate, 

 and derided in company of literary friends ; and he 



