( 304 ) 



CHAPTER VIII. 



RELIGION. 



'[THE history of this part of my father's life may justly include 

 some mention of his religious views. For although, as he 

 points out, he did not give continuous systematic thought to 

 religious questions, yet we know from his own words that 

 about this time (1836-39) the subject was much before his 

 mind. 



In his published works he was reticent on the matter of 

 religion, and what he has left on the subject was not written 

 M'ith a view to publication.* 



I believe that his reticence arose from several causes. He 

 felt strongly that a man's religion is an essentially private 

 matter, and one concerning himself alone. This is indicated 

 by the following extract from a letter of 1879 : f 



" What my own views may be is a question of no con- 

 sequence to any one but myself. But, as you ask, I may state 

 that my judgment often fluctuates ... In my most extreme 

 fluctuations I have never been an Atheist in the sense of 

 denying the existence of a God. I think that generally (and 

 more and more as I grow older), but not always, that an 

 Agnostic would be the more correct description of my state 

 of mind." 



* As an exception may be men- be published in the Index. 

 tioned, a few words of concurrence f Addressed to Mr. J. Fordyce, 



with Dr. Abbott's 'Truths for the and published by him in his 'Aspects 



Times, 1 which my father allowed to of Scepticism,' 1883. 



