BY THE LATE FREDERIC MYERS, M.A. PERPETUAL CURATE OF ST. JOHN'S, KESWICK LONDON DALDY, ISBISTER, & CO. INTRODUCTION. THE book which is here offered to the public is not a new one.* It was written, at intervals, between 1834 and 1848, but its author confined it to private circulation. He intended the book to satisfy doubts and not to raise them; and in his anxiety not to suggest difficulties to those to whom they had not already occurred, he preferred to trust that those who most needed the book would obtain it through private channels. And although after his death its publication was frequently urged, and in 1864 steps were taken to this end, and very valuable aid most cordially offered, yet the same scruple prevailed to withhold it, and it was again privately printed and circulated, with the kind co-operation of several friends. But so much testimony was borne to the comfort and spiritual strength which these 'Catholic Thoughts' afforded, that when, in 1873, the late Bishop of Argyll desired to publish the book in his series of 'Present Day Papers' (a design which was carried out * The headings to the sections and the Table of Contents which appear in this edition are due to the kindness of the Rev. A. J. Ross,-B. D. |