XXXli PREFACE. 



These are questions which are now en- 

 gaging the attention of the learned at the 

 present time. In the following treatise, an 

 attempt is made to answer the first of 

 them, while slightly glancing at some of 

 the others, with a sincere prayer and a 

 hope, that we may arrive at the true and 

 just conclusion. 



B. W. S. 



P.S. Since writing the above, I have 

 been asked more than once for my opinion 

 of a very remarkble work, which treats of 

 the Evolutionary theory, entitled Natural 

 Law in the Spiritual World, by Henry 

 Drummond, F.R.S.E., F.G.S. ; and which 

 has attained great popularity, as may 

 be judged from the fact, that within the 

 year of its publication (1884) it had 

 reached the "thirteenth edition, com- 

 pleting the twenty-ninth thousand," as is 

 stated on the title-page of the copy 

 now before me. 



Though at the time unable to give any 

 answer, from the simple fact of not having 



