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be compelled to drink. We all of us partake of one nature j 
in some tending more to the Agnostic, in others more to the 
superstitious side ; but to one and all^ the manner of God^s 
dealing with us is this^ — ^^The goodness of God leadeth thee 
to repentances^ 
We could not easily find a treatise more suited for use of 
some of these than the Book of Job. In it we find a sorely- 
tried and tempted man taking very much the same ground 
which they occupy^ — speaking grievous things against God^ 
and longing that his Adversary had written a book to answer 
him. This_, however_, the One with whom he contends does 
not do_, but gives the tempted one instead the hioivledge of 
Himself, and this effects what the well-intentioned speeches of 
his friends failed to accomplish. 
Even the inspired speeches of Elihu were as powerless as 
are our papers at the Institute to effect a reconciliation between 
Nature and Grace. 
I may be pardoned_, then^ for saying that Mr. Eeynolds does 
not satisfy my mind as to what is really The Supernatural 
in Nature ; that the Duke of Argyll does not clear away all 
difficulties ; and that other instructors of the people, whom it 
would be invidious to particularise, lead us astray into the 
midst of a thorny labyrinth. 
I present this paper, not as a dogmatic essay, but as tending 
to elicit thought and discussion on the subjects treated. It 
would be a good work, done by the Institute to give us certain 
definitions of the w^ords Nature, Natural, and SupernaturaJ. 
So far I search for these without success. 
The work of Mr. Eeynolds I have ventured to criticise in a 
friendly spirit, and it will have been seen that I think it is one 
highly interesting to those who agree with the author ; but 
his ^Verification hj free use of science has led him into errors 
which I have attempted to point out for the benefit of others 
who may be inclined to pursue the same adventurous path. 
A discussion of a general character took place upon the paper (which w^as 
read before being finally arranged), in which Mr. Enmore Jones, the Key. J. 
Eisher, D.D., Mr. W. Griffith, Mr. G. Wise, and the Chairman, took part. 
The following communication was also read from the Kev. Canon Saumarez 
Smith, Principal of St. Aidan’s Theological College, Birkenhead ; — 
4th March, 1882. 
* Mr. Howard’s paper is interesting and suggestive, and 
will doubtless “ tend to elicit thought and discussion.” 
One leading idea which underlies a good deal of what Mr. Howard says is 
the too often neglected axiom of all philosophical argumentation, viz., that 
Faith is a necessary instrument of true Science. For science,’’ in its com- 
