THE FAITH OF BY JAMES COPNER, M.A., Author of "Sketches of Celibate Worthies," "Bunyan: A Memoir," &c. .66 'Things and actions are what they are, and the consequences of them WILLIAMS AND NORGATE: 14, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON ; 1890. [All Rights Reserved.] TO THE REVEREND EDWARD JOHN HILLIER, M.A., Vicar of Cardington, THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED BY HIS SINCERE FRIEND, THE AUTHOR. 10-27-38 J.A. PREFACE. THAT the world as it appears is not the world as it is, is a commonplace dictum of philosophy. Some have gone further, and have denied that there is a physical world at all, or, at least, have contended with subtle argumentation that it is quite within the bounds. of possibility that the world which we think of as a real physical external thing may be nothing but an ideal creation of our own minds, and no better than a pure illusion. I have advanced a few reasons in my first chapter for dissenting from this specious sophism. In my second chapter I have endeavoured to explain what position philosophy, as I conceive it, occupies in relation to science. I may be mistaken, of course. Since, however, their respective domains have been pronounced, even by experts, to be indeterminate, the question may be deemed not unworthy of discussion. The other chapters, I hope, will be found generally interesting to thoughtful and enquiring readers, handling, as they do, religious and other problems which concern all, and demand intelligent solution. A few passages from a set of essays of mine entitled The Veil Removed I have recast and incorporated in this volume. May it help, in some humble degree, to quicken the progress of truth, and to lessen correspondingly the influence of error. The Embankment, Bedford. |