THE

OXFORD ESSAYS,

AND

BADEN POWELL ON MIRACLES.

WE have experienced a sensible feeling of relief after the reading of this volume of Essays. It was with some little apprehension, we confess, that we began its perusal. The flourish of trumpets with which its approach was heralded, and the acknowledged ability of its authors, led us to fear, not indeed that the advocates of the truth would be vanquished, but that some phase of error so original and portentous might arise, as to render necessary a thorough review of the Evidences of Christianity. But while we believe that this book will be the cause of great evil, and that its in

fluence should in every way be counteracted, we confidently assert that there is nothing new in it which is at all important in its bearing on the great subject of which it treats. The views which it presents are perfectly familiar to those who are acquainted with the German philosophy and theology of the last thirty years, and have been advocated again and again in this country with far more of learning and ability than this work displays.*

It is impossible for us to regard this work otherwise than as an assault upon Christianity; for if there is any thing definite and distinct in the Christian system, if that name carries with it any clear and positive idea to the popular mind, it is all either directly or by implication assailed in this book. It is not as if

*The decline of Rationalism in Germany is well worthy of notice in connection with its late appearance in the Church of England. One evidence of this decline is found in the fact that, while there are in Germany three Lutheran and seven Evangelical organs, there is but one avowedly Rationalistic, the Zeitschrift für wissenschaftliche Theologie, published at Jena.

certain doctrines of the faith had been made the subject of assault; the attack is upon the very foundation upon which they all rest. The Revelation which contains them is reduced below the level of other books, for even its historical authority is denied, and we are at least left to the inference that any supernatural intervention in the affairs of men is incredible.

We have been very much struck with one feature in these "Essays." There is no sensibility manifested to the pain and sorrow which must be experienced by vast numbers of persons if the positions of these authors are well founded. Theirs is emphatically a work of destruction. They have nothing to offer in the place of that which they seek to destroy. They would sweep away our faith in a divine Revelation-then in miracles-then in the resurrection of Christ-then, necessarily, in the life and immortality which He brought to light -and leave us perhaps, though even of that we are not assured, some naked abstractions about "Intuition" and "Absolute Truth."

Now a man may think it would be for our spiritual benefit to lose a dear and valued friend, but we may well expect some expression of sympathy when he comes to communicate our loss; and it strikes us as evidence of no little insensibility, or else of but little expectation of success, when these essayists attempt to rob us of what is most precious to the soul, and offer us nothing in the way of compensation or comfort.

There is another remark which we wish to make upon the Essays as a whole, before we proceed to the consideration of the one which is the special subject of this article. What seems to us a very unfair imputation is cast upon those who receive what are generally regarded as the doctrines of Christianity. It is either directly asserted or covertly implied. that they set themselves in opposition to wellestablished scientific facts, and even to the use of reason, in ascertaining or defending the Truth. On this point we are perfectly willing to join issue; and we assert that there is no class of men more favorable to scientific inquiry, or

who have done more for institutions of learning both in England and this country, none who have in a greater degree encouraged the consideration of Christianity on rational grounds, than those who hold the very principles which in this volume are so persistently assailed.*

Our special object in this article is to consider the Essay entitled "The Study of the Evidences of Christianity," by Baden Powell, M.A., F.R.S. This Essay is selected, since it seems to us to relate to certain principles which must be settled before we can profitably engage in further inquiry.

The recent death of Prof. Powell admonishes us to deal charitably with his opinions,

* The view of intelligent, orthodox men on this point is well expressed by Bourdaloue: "La foi, je dis la foi Chrétienne, n'est point un pur acquiescement à croire, ni une simple soumission de l'esprit, mais un acquiescement et une soumission raisonables; et si cette soumis. sion, si cette acquiescement, n'etaient pas raisonables, ce ne serait plus une vertu. Mais comment sera-ce un acquiescement, une soumission raisonables, si la raison n'y a point de part?" (Euvres de Bourdaioue, tome iii. 336.)