CHAPTER VIII, 



RELIGION. 



[The history of this part of my father's life may justly in- 

 clude 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 

 with 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 mat- 

 ter, 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 conse- 

 quence 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 mentioned, a few words of concurrence with 

 Dr. Abbott's ' Truths for the Times,' which my father allowed to be pub- 

 lished in the Index. 



f Addressed to Mr. J. Fordyce, and published by him in his ' Aspects 

 of Scepticism,' 1883. 



