CONTENTS. External evidence for Christianity as Divine: the value and limitations The new conception of Man, introduced by Christianity; 67-99; notes, AUTHOR'S NOTE. THE following Lectures were prepared to be delivered before the students of the Union Theological Seminary in New York, on what is there known as "The Ely Foundation," and also before the Lowell Institute in Boston. They were subsequently, by request, delivered in Brooklyn. The publication of them has been delayed, partly by the necessity of using occasional and infrequent intervals of time for collating and transcribing the passages from various authors whose respective statements of fact or opinion will be found in the Ap pendix, and partly by the wish to get sufficient leisure for revis ing the Lectures, for considering critically the argument which they present, after the mind should have ceased to be affected by any lingering influence from the impulse of rapid writing, for limiting whatever might appear on such review excessive in statement, and for reinforcing whatever a maturer thought might regard as imperfect in conception or inadequate in expression. Circumstances have hardly permitted the writer, to the full measure of his desire, to accomplish this purpose. Sen tences have occasionally been changed in form. A number of paragraphs are retained on the printed page, which had been ex * Established by Mr. Z. Stiles Ely, of New York, A.D. 1865; the title of the Lectureship being "The Elias P. Ely Lectures, on the Evidences of Christianity." cluded in speaking by lack of time. In a few instances, the argument, where it seemed needful, has been slightly expanded, or differently illustrated. But in all important respects the Lectures appear in the volume as they were when delivered. A good many notes and references have here been added to them, as will be observed: in the hope that these may illustrate, sustain, or if needful correct, related statements in the text. In arranging these Notes the compiler of them has had no thought of seeking to instruct studious scholars, to whom, on the other hand, he gladly acknowledges his constant indebtedness, and to whom he is quite aware that many of the Notes will seem wholly superfluous. But knowing that some of those whom it is hoped that the Lectures will interest may not have ready access to some of the books important to be consulted in connection with the subject, he has thought it well to quote, instead of merely referring to, such passages from ancient or modern authors, lying within his reach, as have seemed to have the most direct bearing upon his principal trains of thought. The many to whom these passages are familiar, or who might easily turn to them in their libraries, will understand, he doubts not, the motive which has prompted to the printing of them here, for the convenience of those less amply equipped. Other passages, equally pertinent, have been excluded, by an unwillingness to increase unduly the size of the volume. In making selection of those to be printed, while laying others aside, the lecturer has had, of course, to use his own judgment as to what would probably be most interesting or helpful to those reading his pages. He has no doubt made mistakes, perhaps many, in applying this rule; and he regrets the absence of passages which he had taken pains to collect, because possessing to his mind important significance. But he hopes that, in the main, affirmative statements made in the Lectures will be found to have |