MODIFICATIONS IN THE IDEA OF GOD, ETC. 71 



We have a notion of infinity. Can tliat notion be explained except 

 by reference to an Infinite Being ? And that Infinite Being is God. 



Passing on to p. 63, I am sorry to see a sentence against 

 which, as a believer in Christ, I protest with all the indignation 

 and all the energy of which I am capable. That passage reads, 

 " Above all, we must not fail to discern in the incarnation of 

 Jesus Christ the last step in the evolution of humanity." I 

 entirely deny the truth of that. I am exceedingly sorry, and. it is 

 a matter of astonishment and regret to me, that the learned 

 Chancellor should have permitted himself to write that sentence. 

 The incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to the 

 Christian doctrine, was not the result of any natural law working 

 in humanity. It was a stupendous miracle. I remember, years 

 ago, hearing Chancellor Lias in this room speak of mii'acles and 

 how I admired his able arguments in defence of their reality, and 

 I can hardly believe that this is the same gentleman who so boldly 

 championed Christian miracles. The incarnation of the Lord 

 Jesus Christ was a miracle. 



The Chairman. — I do not think the authoi-'s words can be said 

 to be capable of the construction put upon them by Professor 

 Orchard. 



Rev. Chancellor Lias. — It is Divine evolution, of course, of which 

 I spoke (page 63). 



Professor Orchard. — Then you admit that Divine evolution 

 includes miracles. 



Rev. Chancellor Lias. — Yes, I believe evolution is a Divine 

 process ; I said so all the way through. 



Professor Orchard. — And includes miracles ? 



Rev. Chancellor Lias. — Yes. 



Professor Orchard. — I was afraid the author did not mean that. 

 I am obliged to Chancellor Lias for stating what he has just now 

 stated. 



Rev. Chancellor Lias. — I thought that jDOSsibly it would be 

 better to make my reply more full when the proceedings are 

 published, and I Avill try to make a written reply ; but I would 

 make one or two observations. And first, as to what Canon 

 Girdlestone said about conscience being left out in the paper. 

 Though there is no special reference to it, I imagined it would be 

 seen where it came in. 



Then with regard to my reference to Hebrew history, I may 



