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statements on this point proceed from the fact that his 
theory compels him to ignore the moral and spiritual element 
in religion. I wish not to say one word in depreciation of an 
intellectual development as a preparation for the preaching 
of Christianity. I simply assert that Christianity possesses a 
mighty moral influence which is capable of speaking to the 
heart of a barbarian or a savage ; and that while Christianity 
possesses truths suited to the loftiest intellect of man, it 
possesses truths so simple that none can be so easily addressed 
to the humblest states of the human mind, or are so calculated 
to exercise over it a civilizing influence. The bare reception of 
them at once softens the savageness of the human heart, and 
exalts the degraded intellectual powers. When, therefore, Mr. 
Buckle pledges his reputation as an historian that no bar- 
barous nation has ever been converted to Christianity except 
under the conditions which he asserts, he imperils his literary 
reputation, and proves that he has read history with a veil of 
prejudice extended before his eyes, which has darkened the 
clear light of truth and damaged the distinctness of his intel- 
lectual vision. 
The Chairman. — I am sure you will cordially vote our thanks to Mr. Row 
for his excellent paper (hear, hear) ; and now I shall be glad to hear any 
gentleman who may wish to speak upon it. 
Mr. Warington. — To do anything like justice to such a paper as this, and 
especially to take up the line of discussion which I should have liked to do, 
would take so long a time, and would lead to so much comment from others, 
that the discussion would be prolonged bejmnd all reasonable limits. But 
there are one or two points on which I must say a few words ; and first with 
regard to that fundamental question, the freedom of the will. On that subject I 
should be disposed to take a view much nearer that of Mr. Buckle than that ad- 
vocated by Mr. Row. I would ask this simple question : Is it a fact that my will 
is really free, and that I am completely master of everything I do ? If that 
is so, it is possible for me, simply from powers innate in myself, to do every- 
thing that is right. There can be no such thing in my nature as a power for 
evil which I cannot overcome, if my will is paramount. If my will is abso- 
lutely free I can choose for myself every time that a question comes before 
me as to what I am to do. I can choose absolutely what course I will take, 
and thus it would be possible for me, and for every human being living, to be 
absolutely good and pure and holy. (No, no.) If my will is free, that must 
be so ; it is a necessary consequence. But I know well that a negative 
answer must be given to that, for I am certainly not able to be absolutely 
good and pure and holy so long as I am left to my unaided self. The^nfer- 
ence, then, is inevitable that my will is not absolutely free 
Captain Fishbourne. — It is free only to the limit of your own power. 
Mr. Warington. — Then it is not wholly free, for, as you admit, there is a 
limit. I appeal to the highest authority on the subject, and I find, in the 
