LONDON:

GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS,

ST. JOHN'S SQUARE.

Preface.

THE several Authors of the following Essays are responsible only for the statements contained in their own contributions.

The Essays have been written independently of one another; and, in the treatment of their subjects, the Writers have been left free to express their individual convictions. This freedom from Editorial interference, whilst it allows occasional variations to be perceived on questions of opinion, brings into high relief the evidence of essential harmony amongst the Contributors in matters of Faith and Principle-such substantial unity, with diversity in detail, marking all the more plainly the pervading influence of a

common Creed.

Two of the Essays are anonymous. In the case of one, the reason is obvious. In the case of the other, it was decided that on the neutral ground between the

domains of "Revelation and Science," the position

assumed should be lost or won in virtue of the inherent

weakness or strength of the arguments employed, in-

dependently of any influence arising from the Author's

name.

For the authenticity of the "Autobiography," the
Editor is, of course, responsible. The proper names
in it alone are fictitious. The paper may be viewed as
an Essay in the form of a narrative.

This Volume is put forth in the hope that it may

serve towards the solution of certain important

Questions of the Day," upon which the Church

and the World come in contact.

66

ORBY SHIPLEY.

Easter, A.D. 1866.