6 MODERN DIFFICULTIES 



itself, and every argument for unbelief and for denial 

 of the possibility of spiritual knowledge then becomes 

 formidable.^ 



The conclusion of the matter is that difficulties of 

 faith must always be felt even among sincere truth- 

 seekers, and the fact that they are felt to-day does not 

 afford sufficient reason either for undiscriminating con- 

 demnation of doubters or for a pessimistic estimate of 

 the state of behef in this age. Much doubt is in evi- 

 dence, and there has never been a more urgent need of 

 efforts to succour distressed faith. But there is an- 

 other and more encouraging aspect of the situation. 

 There have never been more truth-seekers than at this 

 moment. Multitudes are turning their faces earnestly 

 towards the light; and if their faith is attended by the 

 torment of doubt, it is, in very many instances, their 

 faith rather than their doubts w^hich determines their 

 ideals of life. This fact affords abundant reason for 

 the hope and conviction that the faith which is now 

 struggling with doubt will in due season win the vic- 

 tory. At all events a true apologetic should be both 

 sympathetic and hopeful. 



My subject in these lectures is Evohition and the 

 Fall, and I have chosen such a topic for several reasons. 

 In the first place the doctrine of the fall has been thought 

 by many to be peculiarly difficult to maintain under the 

 conditions of modern thought; and this is largely due 



^ The author has more fully discussed the subject of the part of 

 reason in faith and spiritual knowledge in his Introd. to Dog. TheoL, 

 chh. iv, V. 



