ON TEIE UNREASONABLENESS OP AGNOSTICISM. Go 



can never be restored to us, we cannot but feel that both ourselves and the 

 whole Church of Christ have, in the memory of his life and works, a pos- 

 session that will never pass away. I can only add, that in these days when 

 the failures and difficulties of Christians are cast, sometimes very unfairly, 

 against us as an argument against Christianity, it is no small thing to be 

 able to point to one who did the work of his Master on earth, as did the 

 late Earl of Shaftesbury. 



The following paper was then read by the author : — 



THE UNREASONABLENESS OF AGNOSTICISM. 



By Joseph Hassell, A.K.C. Lend. 



Before commencing my paper, I may perhaps be allowed to state the 

 reasons which induced me to write it. About two years ago I was thrown 

 into the society of some students attending one of our public schools, and, 

 while conversing with them on some of the current topics of the day, I found 

 that their minds were strongly imbued with the Spencerian doctrine that 

 God is " unknowable." These ypung men were particularly anxious to 

 impress me with the fact that they were not Atheists, for they did not deny 

 the existence of a " First Cause " ; but they had, they said, considerable 

 difficulty in accepting the doctrine of a " Personal God," who could be 

 known and worshipped. After my conversation with them, it seemed to me 

 that a paper, dealing with the subject in a simple manner, might be useful, 

 and I set to work to write such. By the kindness of the Council of this 

 Institute, I am now permitted to lay my paper before the members, and, if 

 its reading should initiate a discussion that may advance the cause of truth, 

 I shall be thankful. 



THERE are at the present day very many thoughtful men 

 who are not Atheists, for they are willing to admit that 

 there must have been a First Cause. But, though not Atheists, 

 they do not believe in a Personal God, to whom they are 

 related as creatures, and to whom they are responsible for 

 their conduct. When questioned concerning the ground of 

 their unbehef, these individuals say that they agree with Mr. 

 Herbert Spencer, in thinking that, if there be a God, He must, 

 from the very nature of the case, be to man the '^Unknow- 

 able." And, as to a future life, the subject is so shrouded in 

 mystery that no one can ever expect to undei'stand it. They 

 thus confess that, respecting the Person of God and the 

 nature of human responsibility, they are Agnostics. It is to 

 such we desire to speak, and if possible convince them that^ 



