to the "exclusive system." Had he permitted himself to doubt the nature of the final "decision," he would scarcely have confined his protest, even for a time, within the limits of private circulation. But, his prescience and faith being such as they were, he might well take his stand upon the divine maxim :—" He that believeth shall not make haste."

It was because he considered that Mr. Myers's contribution to this controversy, besides being in point of argument most weighty and powerful, as well as in spirit most reverential and devout, was also peculiarly adapted to the needs of the present day, that the bishop anxiously desired that it should be made more extensively known; and when it became evident that he himself would not be spared to superintend its publication, he laid it as a charge upon the writer of this Introduction, and other friends, to take care that his desire should be carried into effect. More than this, by way of preface, it is unnecessary to add; for it is here only intended to explain why a work which has so long been allowed to remain in comparative obscurity is now offered to the public. But, as indicative of a main reason why the bishop deemed the "Present Day Papers" an appropriate channel for its publication, it may not be out of place to point to a leading principle which the "postscript" declares it to have been one of the author's chief objects to propound, viz. :

"That Christianity can only be adequately represented as Light, accessible in its essential blessedness to all who by God's grace have been brought where it is in its fulness,

namely, into the Church of Christ, but to be comprehended in its essence, or its operations, or its limits, by none; and that therefore our first duty and our truest wisdom is to turn off our thoughts from speculations as to its nature to adoration of its Author, and to make the object of our faith and love and zeal, a Person rather than a Creed" (p. 431).

The "Catholic Thoughts" compose four books, of which only the first two, on The Church of Christ and The Church of England, are contained in the present volume. They are reproduced not only verbatim but literatim-peculiarities in the use of capitals and in spelling having been retained from the printed text privately circulated by the author. The two remaining books, on the Bible and Theology, will shortly be published in another volume; with the issue of which the " Present-Day Papers" will be brought to a close.

ST. JOHN'S, LIMEHOUSE,

Oct. 1, 1873.

H. WHITEHEAD.

THE name of the writer of these Thoughts may perhaps be known to some as that of the author of a small volume of Sermons, preached before the University of Cambridge in 1846, and published in 1852; and also of a volume of "Lectures on Great Men,"* consisting of addresses which

"The remarkable book of a remarkable man-of rare abilities and more rare virtues."-Dean Milman, Quarterly Review for June, 1856.

had been delivered to his parishioners in a school-room at Keswick.

Frederic Myers was born in 1811, and was educated chiefly by his father, until he went up to Clare Hall, Cambridge, in 1829. He was elected a fellow of his College in 1833, and was ordained in the following year to the curacy of Ancaster in Lincolnshire.

In 1838 he was appointed by the trustees as the first Incumbent of the new District Church of St. John's, Keswick; in which place he continued his ministry until his death in 1851; and where his memory is still warmly cherished, and his unwearied efforts for the spiritual good and intellectual advancement of his parishioners will not soon be forgotten.

The district of St. John's having but a small population, it was quite possible, without neglecting any parochial duties, to devote a good deal of time to study; and the writing of this book, "Catholic Thoughts," occupied the author's leisure. It was the result of long and patient thought and study, and of intercourse with many of the best minds of his day. And the same leading characteristic of a tender and wide sympathy which profoundly endeared him to the kindly villagers among whom he lived, appears unmistakably throughout these pages in the delicate regard for the feelings and beliefs of others which he combines with absolute sincerity, while he endeavours to present his own conception of the Christian faith which he loved so fervently, and so earnestly desired that others should hold fast.

It should not be forgotten how many years have elapsed since the composition of this book. It was begun in 1834, and the first portion, on the Church of Christ and Church of England, printed in 1841; the remainder, on the Bible and Theology, in 1848.

To this, and to his other books, it had best be left to testify, so far as they may, of the character and temperament of the author. Of these it is better not to speak more here; for it would be hard to do so without using words which would seem either hyperbolical to those who did not know him, or else cold and inadequate to his friends, who felt, as friends will feel, that his death was, to them at least

"The passing of the sweetest soul
That ever looked with human eyes."

S. H. M.

PREFACE.

THE object of the following Pages is to present some suggestions respecting the Aim and Constitution of the Church of CHRIST and of the Church of England which may assist Ecclesiastical Students in the formation of opinions at once just and comprehensive. A time seems to be coming when it will be highly advisable for even the private Christian to be conversant with Ecclesiastical Theories: : a time it is believed has already come when it is quite necessary that they should engage the earnest consideration of the Clergy of the Church of England. And it is as a contribution of assistance to any of his Brethren who, though far more qualified, may have less opportunity for investigation than himself, that the present writer proposes to record the views he is enabled to take of some Principles involved in all ecclesiastical arguments; revising them from time to time for some considerable period, if it shall please GOD to continue to him his present health and leisure. The tendency of his ecclesiastical opinions and the tone of his religious feeling he believes are such as will be charac