AN APPENDIX

ON

THE CHRISTIAN EVIDENCE,

AND

THE DOUBTS FREQUENTLY CONNECTED WITH IT: IN THE FORM OF A REVIEW OF A BOOK, ENTITLED :

"A Treatise on the Nature and Causes of doubt in Religious Questions, (with a particular Reference to Christianity,) with an Appendix on some Common Difficulties, Lists of Books," &c. &c.-London, 1831. *

It is impossible to read the small volume which has lately appeared under the above title, without conceiving a friendly feeling towards the author. He has concealed his name; but even if he had not given such a plain proof of his modesty, every reader of moral taste would have soon discovered that the writer had ventured his little work before the public with the purest inten

* This Review of a small book which was published in London about three years ago, was found among the MSS. of the Rev. Mr. Fitzgerald, who was introduced to our readers in

Ο

tions, and with not a grain of hidden vanity in his mind. That he is still young may be conjectured from some passages of his book; but that, nevertheless, he has gone through very trying states of mind upon religious subjects, is declared by himself without parade or affectation. It appears that in early life he was either a disbeliever in Christianity, or looked upon it with a high degree of doubt. Having examined the subject attentively, he saw sufficient reason to accept the Gospel, as a gift from heaven, and put himself under its influence. Fortunately (we will be bold to say,) he did not give way to the violent feelings which some persons consider as the only test of returning faith. He seems to have acted with a calm and rational steadiness of purpose-such as, we conceive, was the case with many who, during the mortal life of Jesus, came to him, not as if they "had already attained" every thing which it was the purpose of

Chapter IX. of these Travels. Knowing that it was never offered for publication, and considering it in the light of a satisfactory answer to the doubts which the Irish Traveller must have raised in many a mind, upon the important subject of Christian Evidence, the Editor does not fear that the present Appendix may be censured as out of place in this work. It is properly an illustration to Chap. IV. 2d vol.

his preaching to teach them, but gradually to improve under his instruction. Our author, it seems, returned to Christ at one stage beyond that of Nathanael. He had already found that something good could, and had "come out of Nazareth." He placed himself under the Divine Master, having arrived at the general, but most important persuasion of that portion of the Jews who, in spite of clamour and prejudice, had the candour to declare of the Saviour-" He is a good man." The result of this step is expressed in the following simple and unpretending declaration, which we copy, as containing the scope of the whole work.

"To discuss the body of the Christian evidence has not been the object of this work; on the contrary, it has been carefully avoided, as an inquiry, perfectly distinct from this preparatory one. Yet, it is now, the sanguine wish of the author of these pages, that, all his attentive readers are prepared to enter vigorously into this needful examination. If any have ever done so, without satisfaction, before; he is, now, full of hope that, bearing in mind the various mazes pointed out in the foregoing, and into one or more of which it is probable he may have wan

dered-bearing in mind, especially, those frequent causes of uncertainty and confusion delineated in the course of the second division of these observations, he will at last arrive, at as peaceful, and, considering the peculiar nature of the subject, as unclouded a conviction, as, notwithstanding an unusual degree of former wandering and anxiety, now, and for several years, has filled the breast of the author of these pages."

Hardened, indeed, to all sympathy must be the breast which, whatever may be its conviction on the subject of Christianity, shall be able to withhold a wish that this "peaceful conviction" may attend him to the end of his life. We repeat, that any one who should not feel this wish, must be hardened to all sympathy: for, ready and willing as we are to make every allowance for all degrees of scepticism, not used as an excuse to immorality—and thoroughly well acquainted with all the faults which, on the part of religionists, go far to extenuate the keenness of prejudice with which Christianity is frequently assailed-knowing all this, and being completely free from even a shadow of bitter zeal in regard to unbelievers, yet we could not but think unfavourably of any one who should

either hate or despise the spirit which animates the small volume before us.

That anger, or contempt, or both should be roused by such enthusiastic, confident and impertinent assurance, as is unfortunately displayed by many who take the lead of the various crowds whose clamour disturbs the religious world, and provokes the worst passions of the irreligious, is perfectly natural. But odious

must be the moral temper of any thinking man, who, upon so important and (it must be confessed,) so prepossessing a subject as Christianity, can scornfully dismiss a sensible person, who, urged by his own experience, addresses the modest request, "Come and See."

We will not, however, deny (though the acknowledgment is painful,) that among the numerous advocates of the truth of the Gospel, few confine themselves to this unassuming invitation. With the exception of a very few master-minds, the writers of what are called Evidences seem more intent on the work of exaggerating the power and weight of their own arguments, than on making them be felt by the persons whom they wish to convince. This grievous mistake may be explained without