711.5
Discourses and Addresses on Leading 'ild of Religion and Thilosoplvy. I3y the Rev. J. H. Rigg, D.D. (Wesleyan Conference Office.)—It would be quite impossible in Ei short notice even to touch the many points which this very eminent Wesleyan teacher has brought together, in this rather large volume. As the title indicates, both religion and philosophy are discoursed upon with different objects in view and in different places; but, with the exception of the. three which stand at the beginning of the book, the lectures seem to have been addressed to members of his own denomination. The third. lecture is worthy of note, as embodying a very hopeful, and, we
trust, a really true view of the future of Christianity in our country and in the world at large. The writer says :— "Christianity therefore, I conclude, is by no moans losing ita hold of England, nor of the world. Less protected by legal defences than formerly, it possesses far more intrinsic strength and energy. It has taken a much larger and stronger hold than at any former period of the great body of the people, including the best educated classes. It has a life and energy, a zeal and enthusiasm, altogether unprece- dented Let no one, then, fear for Christianity."
Again, in the same lecture, be says, with reference to Franco :— " There is vastly more religious faith in France, I venture to think, at this moment than there has been since the terrible Revolution. May I not go further, and say that there is more religious faith and feeling now than for a hundred years past P And yet Christianity in France stands at every disadvantage. It is identified in its popular form with superstitions which are not only idolatrous in their aspect, but heathenish in their character. In popular belief, it has been identified with all the wrongs and tyrannies which helped so largely to provoke the Revolution."
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