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the judges, they can only judge in accordance with the being which has been 
given to them ; and if we could conceive such a thing as human beings con- 
stituted with an original evil nature instead of with an original good nature, 
it is quite clear that they would not consider that which was in accordance 
with their own nature to be evil, but would come to the conclusion that it 
was good. But there cannot even be a rational conception of eternal evil. 
For you cannot understand the word evil except in the sense of its being a 
contradiction to something good, which therefore must have preceded it. Evil 
means that which is not good. It is possible, I think, to work that out in a 
logical manner in these papers, and to demonstrate with the most rigid 
accuracy and strictness that an eternal evil is an impossibility. I should be 
glad to see that part of the paper more fully made out, and to have the three 
deductions, instead of these two, at the end. It is perhaps scarcely fair, how- 
ever, seeing that we have not yet heard Dr. Irons’s third paper, to assume 
that he probably may not do this ; but it seems to belong more to this part 
of the subject than to that which has still to come. Dr. Irons has been 
hitherto destroying much false philosophy passing current (I am sorry to say) 
as orthodoxy, and I presume his next paper will be more constructive, and 
therefore perhaps more interesting to us all. We shall then have the positive 
truths stated, and especially the truth par excellence , as it comes to us in 
Christianity. 
Rev. C. A. Row. — There is one other passage which I ought to have pointed 
out as well worth our attention. Dr. Irons says : — 
“ Now here is a new point of difference between the Supreme and the 
finite conscious agent. The Supreme cannot be more good ; the finite can. 
Our character is affected, as God’s is not, by the fact of continuance, both of 
being and of action. However good a finite nature may be in its beginning, 
however truly responding to the always-true, it acquires power by continuing 
good. And continuing acts of good are ever-increasing developments of the 
power of the conscious finite agent. Continuing in goodness is advancing in 
goodness. It is better known the longer it is known.” 
I apprehend Dr. Irons has written this paper on the grounds of human 
reason, and what I wish to point out is, that although this passage is founded 
upon human reason, it throws light upon and confirms the assertion of the 
Evangelist, — “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with 
God and man.” 
The Chairman. — It would be very presumptuous in me to make any 
observations on this admirable paper. I can only say that I most heartily 
and thoroughly go with it ; but I feel that any discussion upon it would be 
almost out of place, as we have not yet got the final portion of the paper, 
which I think may throw the greatest possible light on all that has gone before. 
We shall perhaps discuss the subject more advantageously, therefore, when 
we have the whole of Dr. Irons’s views set before us. I cannot help express- 
ing my great gratification that this Society has had the privilege of 
putting before the world such an amount of profound thought on the most 
