dalene alone who goes first to the sepulchre, and to whom Jesus appears after Peter and John, to whom she had gone to tell the news and who had come back with her, had left (xx. 1-17). The reader should examine the different stories for himself, and as he would examine any other bit of history. Innumerable explanations have been given, and it has even been held by some of our commentators that the very divergencies, although they may not all be capable of explanation, are proof of the truth of the narrative, as they at any rate show that there has been no collusion. I would just put this question, If similar difficulties were found to exist in the standards of any other religion, would they be treated by learned upholders of Christianity in the same manner? Another test question may be put, and certainly in no mocking spirit. If Christians really believe, as most profess to do, that the friend who precedes them goes to a 'far better' condition than he

leaves behind, why is the departure followed with such gloom and sorrowing? It is only human nature that it should be so for those most nearly connected, who lose a father or mother, a brother or sister, especially if the loved one is taken away prematurely; but why should this so deeply affect others, and why should all the circumstances connected with death be, with fixed purpose, made as dark and sad as possible? Death is the enemy of all; and the dread of it is at least as strong as is the desire of a future life, which, if the Christian hope fails us, is the only indication that remains of a life 'beyond the veil.'

I have touched but slightly on a very dark subject. The works on the Resurrection of Jesus are innumerable. I have read many of them; it was the perusal of one by Canon Westcott that forced me at last to give up its credibility. There are two volumes taking up the question from different sides. They appeared to me to

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be so clearly the production of a prejudiced, and, if I may say it, clever and artful advocate, that after reading one of the volumes, and then reading the different narratives of the New Testament, as I would read and judge of the truth or falsity of any human history, I came to the conclusion that the doctrine is not only untenable, but that there is no reliable proof of it whatever. not easy finally to break with the undoubting belief of half a lifetime, and it is perhaps for this reason that so few give themselves the chance. They leave the question alone, or with due humility they intrust it to their spiritual guides.

It is

CHAPTER VI

DECREASE OF FAITH FROM INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE-THIS INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE

NOT TAUGHT BY THE CLERGY

In the previous chapters we have considered the doctrine of the Fall of Man; the miracles of the Old and New Testaments; the Christian Sacrament of the Supper, and its connection with the Jewish Passover; the Jewish and the Christian Sabbath; and the Christian doctrine of a future life, with punishment for the wicked and blessedness for the righteous. I have endeavoured to show that the orthodox teaching as to all these will not stand examination, especially in the light of modern knowledge, critical and historical; and there can be no doubt that disbelief in regard to

them is becoming more and more general, not among the ignorant and careless, but among those who are best informed and are most earnest in seeking the truth. Much has been written on both sides of all these questions, and if any one of ordinary intelligence should try to investigate them, or any one of them, on an exhaustive plan, he will soon find himself in a hopeless maze of authorities and arguments on either side, and will end perhaps in giving up all attempts to get at the truth. Few attempt what would be to them so hopeless a task, and the many give themselves no trouble in the

matter.

Although the advance in knowledge during the last half-century has been enormous, and in knowledge that does and must affect in no small degree all the religious beliefs of the more learned, the old, and so-called simple, faith of our forefathers is that which is still preached