the propriety of which, and its legitimate force, had appeared to him evident when he began to inquire for himself, without reference to the opinions of others, into the claims of Christianity upon him. He cannot but regret his inability to do the work, committed to him by the partiality of friends, with that rare and spacious range of knowledge, and that power to coördinate all particulars of knowledge in complete exhibition, which would better have matched the imperial theme. But he has been glad to do what he could, for the elucidation of a subject so vast in both its compass and its importance; and it would be to him a great joy and reward if the processes of thought in connection with which he reached years since distinct conclusions, which remain influential for his own mind, might bring to others a similar assurance, with an animating impulse more deep and fruitful.

He gratefully remembers the testimonies which came to him of such impressions received by some when the Lectures were delivered. He would fain hope that others who may hereafter consider them, on the pages to which they are now committed, will find their confidence awakened or renewed in the Divine origin and the superlative authority of that Religion to which Christendom seems to the writer, beyond doubt, to owe whatever is chiefest in its inheritance of moral wisdom and spiritual life, and from which the conscious human soul, in the future as in the past, must derive, as he conceives, whatever is sure and uplifting in its knowledge of the Unseen, whatever is holiest in its experience, whatever is sweetest and most transporting in aspiration and in hope.

Of course, upon any one denying at the outset the essential possibility of a supernatural revelation of truth to man, neither the argument here presented, nor any other of a similar nature, can exert particular influence: as no argument can convince us

that philosophical speculations may be communicated to dogs, or that parrots can be taught spiritually to interpret the tender and majestic secrets of the symphonies of Beethoven. To one admit ting a revelation to be possible, who yet has in his mind a preconceived model to which, in method, instruments, and proof, such a revelation must be conformed, but with which Christianity does not correspond, the argument of these Lectures, or any other on the same subject, will be for the most part ineffective: as it would be in vain to try to show the ample blessing of summershowers to one predetermined to find no quickening virtue for vegetation except in ice-storms or in cyclones. But to one who admits it possible, at least, for God to reveal His truth and will to the man whom He has made, and who is content to have Him do this, if at all, in the way which to Him appears best adapted to His benign purpose-the argument which is outlined in these Lectures seems to the writer one of important persuasive force. The Lectures were certainly not suggested by the emphatic words of Dr. James Martineau, but these might fitly enough stand as their motto:-"The thorough interweaving of all the roots of Christianity with the history of the world on which it has sprung, is at once a source of its power, and an assurance of its divineness."*

It is probably hardly necessary to add that these Lectures had been fully written and delivered before the author of them had any knowledge of the volume since published by Mr. Charles Loring Brace, entitled "Gesta Christi; or a History of Humane Progress under Christianity." A part of the subject discussed in these Lectures-particularly in the fifth and the sixth Lectures—is presented in that volume with such exemplary clearness and carefulness, and such ample command of the necessary learning,

• Miscellanies; Boston ed., 1852: pp. 208-9.

that the present writer would hardly have ventured upon an in dependent treatment of these particular themes if he had known beforehand of the existence of the volume, and of its expected publication. He cannot, however, refrain from expressing the gratification which he has felt in finding that the conclusions which he had reached, in his previous occasional studies of the subject, are in close accord with those presented, and confirmed by a wider range of references, in that excellent treatise: which has brought fresh honor to American scholarship, as well as to the mind and the spirit of its accomplished and diligent author.

R. S. STORRS.

BROOKLYN, N. Y., October 25, 1884.

LECTURE 1.

EXTERNAL EVIDENCE FOR CHRISTIANITY AS DIVINE THE VALUE AND LIMITATIONS OF ITS PROBATIVE

FORCE.