Page:A Defence of Revealed Religion.pdf/21

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THE FALL AND ATONEMENT.
21

scepticism or infidelity in the world. This may be expected at the first onset. Many minds, on being led to see the fallacy of their old faith, will in the strength of their recoil be disposed to doubt all faith. But investigation does not necessarily imply doubt; and we have that faith in the truth of the religion of Jesus Christ as to believe that it will not only survive the scrutiny, but that it will continue to shew to humanity an ever expanding system capable of meeting its wants in all time. The cry for more light shews that men are not content to have their eyes bandaged by mysteries and traditions and legends. They are not content to see the truth through other men's eyes, they will see for themselves. Religion must be rational as well as devout to meet the demands of the new age. Men want a God that they can love for His perfectness, and refuse to prostrate themselves before a deity tainted with the sins and weaknesses of wicked men. The final issue will be a firmer faith, a deeper trust, a more absorbing devotion—leading the world onward from its grander conceptions of Deity to a holier life of love to God and man. It is because we believe that Mr. Voysey's vigorous protest will awaken a wider interest in the new school of thought that we have gladly welcomed it.

We do not coincide with all Mr. Voysey's conclusions. Far from it. We believe that his earnest longing after a higher conception of God has caused him to reject views which, seen in their true light,