Xll PREFACE. 



opponents, and unless a writer has both knowledge and 

 clearness of vision he runs the risk of misapprehending, 

 as, unless he is candid, he is nearly sure of misrepresenting, 

 the doctrines from which he differs ; but, with all draw- 

 backs, in no other way can he so surely establish an 

 intelligent sympathy with his readers, or so effectually 

 communicate real truth and knowledge. Moreover, in no 

 other way can he so well secure thoughtful attention to 

 ideas and theories which, though sometimes less, are not 

 unfrecjuently more strong than the fallible presentations 

 of them by their defenders for the time being. Finally, 

 in no other way can the writer bring the reader so near the 

 very presence of Truth of that Truth so often obscured 

 by the dust of controversy, and so often attenuated by 

 the logical medium intended to convey it ; of that Truth, 

 I will add, which in so many cases has not given herself 

 unreservedly to one of the contending sides, but is to be 

 found divided in various proportions between them. 



I believe the work has been of use to some, and I 

 believe it might be of use to more in these days of con- 

 fusion. But I have no desire to make converts from other 

 faiths to the particular views expressed in it. Indeed, 

 where any one's faith, religious or moral, is firmly fixed 

 and found satisfactory, it is but a cruel kindness in 

 another to try to shake it. I do not think, however, that 

 such a one would suffer much hurt from the book, and 

 perhaps there are parts of it that would be of use to him. 

 But in the main I am not speaking to or for such. I am 

 speaking to those and they are numerous who in the 



