MIRACLES^ SCIENCE^ AND PRAYER. 287 



of Grace. And tliis alone is sufficient to explain the rationale of 

 Miracles. Hence — Prayer. 



I am glad to see that the writer makes so much of evidence. This 

 is +' ^ main point, and it is invulnerable. 



Some time ago I v?as discussing a kindred subject with an 

 Austrian Professor — a leading spirit at one of the Universities. 

 I plied him with all sorts of arguments drawn from Nature, but 

 with no good result. I then tried to get at him through his soul ; 

 but he soon barred the way to reasoning by saying, " Ich habe 

 heine Seele " — I have no soul. This is the logical outcome of the 

 " new notions." 



The Rev. William St. Clair Tisdall,* M.A., writes from 

 Ispahan : — 



For the general contents of the paper nothing but praise is 

 due. I consider it a most valuable contribution to the Institute, 

 and certainly the writer has dealt with this important subject most 

 ably. 



Dr. Wyld (a Visitor). — I take exception to the definition of 

 miracles given by the author. He has said that miracles are 

 contrary to nature, and therefore impossible ; but I think he has 

 only shifted the question one step, for, if I understand him, he 

 says on the intervention of a Divine Being there is a suspension of 

 the course of nature. I do not hold that. My view of miracles is 

 that they are caused by the direct action of the spiritual on 

 matter. I define miracles not as that which is contrary to nature 

 and not as that which is a suspension of the laws of nature, but an 

 acceleration of the laws of nature. 



Professor H. Langhorne Orchard, M.A., B.Sc. — I think the 

 lecturer has done good service in drawing attention to the fact 

 that man has modified nature by the force of his will ; and if he 

 has done so, shall the Creator be debarred from modifying nature 

 by His will ? The old standpoint of objection to miracles was that 

 miracles were impossible, but I believe that position has now been 

 pretty generally abandoned. 



* Author of Islam, its origin, strength and tveakness, Journal, Vol. xxv. 



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