397 
passing from the region of subjective facts in Christian ex- 
perience, I seem to find in the ritual or objective form of 
worship prescribed by God in the Old Testament, not that 
which is unphilosophical or superstitious, but an application to 
Divine worship of those very principles of aesthetics which 
Kant, Hegel, Schelling and Fichte have sought to apply in 
philosophy. There is such a thing as “ the beautiful ” in re- 
ligion as well as in philosophy, such a thing as worshipping 
God “ in the beauty of holiness.”* There is a Christian as 
well as a natural philosophy. 'The same great principles, the 
same eternal and immutable laws of morality, underlie what is 
natural and supernatural, showing us that these are but distinct 
species of truth under some common genus, and therefore 
indices of one supreme mind and intelligence. 
Law “ reigns ” everywhere. The Duke of Argyll, in what 
has been termed “ a delightful book,” says — 
“ I had intended to conclude with a chapter on ‘law in Christian 
theology.’ It was natural to reserve for that chapter all direct reference to 
some of the most fundamental facts of human nature. Yet without such 
reference the reign of law, especially in the realm of mind, cannot even be 
approached in some of its very highest and most important aspects.’’^ 
The Duke shrunk from the task of completing his design, 
because it would have brought him face to face with “ questions 
so profound, of such critical import, and so inseparably con- 
nected with religious controversy.” Yet I feel persuaded that 
nothing will tend more to allay religious controversy, than a 
faithful consideration of the mutual bearings of different 
branches of science or philosophy, referring them as branches 
to some more “ comprehensive and fundamental principles 33 
based upon “ faith in one Eternal God.” With this persuasion 
it is that I have prefaced my remarks upon ethical philosophy 
proper, with some more general observations upon its inter- 
actions and relations. The consideration of the mutual bearings 
of the different branches of science and philosophy was a main 
object with this Society, as stated at its foundation, yet I am 
not aware that a paper has yet been contributed with this end 
specially in view. Might not some member take up the 
subject of “ Metaphysics ” not in the absurd sense of the 
schoolmen, but as embracing what is more general in nature, 
— principles, and the whole of things ? fC Leaving particular 
subjects and their several properties to particular sciences, this 
universal science compares these subjects together : considers 
wherein they differ and wherein they agree ; and that which 
* 1 Cliron. xvi. 29. t Reign of Law, Preface. 
2 e 2 
