-wherever found; and he is quite sure that an examination of the work will show that he has not paused to inquire whether the writer or speaker were of his own tribe or tongue. It will readily be seen-and a noteworthy fact it is that there is much common ground upon which the vast majority of the world's serious thinkers may stand; and if we do not view certain aliens with too critical an eye, we shall find them more like our people than we have thought.

In the arrangement of the contents of the work, the editor has had an eye to such order as would make the book of the most practical value to the student and to the general reader.

By way of explanation it may be here stated that certain articles which hardly seem apropos to the subject "Creation of Part II., have been inserted under that head, because they have been written by or concern certain scientific scholars who have contributed extensively to the subject of creation, or of evolution, which is closely allied to the same.

In many cases, as the work has proceeded, the editor has had the assistance of the writers themselves, in making a selection from published writings that should represent their views. This was done by the late Dr. Richard Salter Storrs, Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, Bishop Cyrus D. Foss and others, whose courtesy is hereby gratefully acknowledged.

PHILADELPHIA, September, 1900.

JOHN KENYON KILBOURN.

FAITHS OF FAMOUS MEN

PART I.

GOD

ABBOTT-OLD DEFINITION IN NEW DRESS.

We are coming to think of God as dwelling in nature as the spirit dwells in the body. Not that God and nature are identical; He transcends nature as I transcend my body, and am more than my body.-Lyman Abbott, The Evolution of Christianity, p. 110.

ALEXANDER'S THEISM IN A NUT-SHELL.

God is the common Father of us all, but more especially of the best of us.-Plutarch's Lives.

ARNOLD (MATTHEW) ENDS WHERE HE BEGAN.

The true God is and must pre-eminently be the God of the Bible, the Eternal who makes for righteousness, from whom Jesus came forth, and whose Spirit governs the course of humanity. Literature and Dogma. (Conclusion.)

AUGUSTINE'S EXTENSIVE SEARCH FOR GOD.

I asked the earth, and it answered, "I am not He;" and whatsoever are therein made the same confession. I asked the sea and the things therein, and they replied, "We are not thy God; seek higher." I asked the air with its inhabitants; it answered, "I am not thy God." I asked the heavens-the sun, moon and stars. "Neither," they said, "are we the God whom thou seekest." And I answered unto

all these, "Ye have told me that ye are not He; tell me something about Him." And with a loud voice they exclaimed, "He made us."-Confessions, Bk. X., Ch. VIII.

BACON THE SHALLOWNESS OF ATHEISM.

A little natural philosophy, and the first entrance into it, doth dispose the opinion to atheism; but . . . much natural philosophy, and wading deep into it, will bring about men's minds to religion. . . . Against atheists the very savages take part with the very subtlest philosophers. . . . I would rather believe all the fables in the Koran (etc.) than that this universal frame is without a Mind.-Lord Bacon, Essays.

BEECHER VERSUS THE FOOL'S CREED.

The atheistic view-that this world needs no God, that it has in itself provision for all the phenomena that have taken place-instead of simplifying matters and relieving us, makes matters still more difficult to comprehend. Atheism taxes credulity a great deal more than even the most superstitious notions do. No man can believe that things happen of themselves. There is a force prior to an effect; and that fact is wrought into the-I had almost said-common-sense of mankind. Henry Ward Beecher, Sermon on Divine Providence and Design.

BISMARCK LOYAL TO KING OF KINGS.

...

If I were not a Christian, I would not . . . serve the king another hour. Why should I incessantly worry myself and labor in this world, exposing myself to embarrassments, annoyances and evil treatment, if I did not feel bound to do my duty on behalf of God? If I did not believe in a divine ordinance which destined this nation to become good and great, I would never have taken to the diplomatic trade, or, having done so, I would long since have given it up. I know not whence I derive my sense of duty but from God.Spoken during Franco-German War.