The following discourse was prepared as a lecture. With the exception
of the insertion of passages which it was found necessary to omit in
delivery, on account of too great length, it is printed as it was
spoken. It addressed, and in its present form addresses, thoughtful and
earnest minds, not concerned specially with questions of philosophy,
metaphysics, and science, but alive to the advanced knowledge and
thought of our times, and anxious to know, so far as in such a form
it could be expressed, how the great foundation of religious belief,
the existence of Deity, is affected by the splendid advance of our
knowledge of nature. To have written more than the following pages
contain, in answering this desire, would have necessitated what I
have earnestly endeavoured to avoid, a change from a discourse into a
treatise. It is hoped that, as it is presented, it may to some extent
be found useful to those who sought it—not so much students, as men
interested in the deeper thought of our age, but whose time is occupied
with the labours and engagements of a busy life.