form a course of connected thought on the subject of The Higher Life, its reality, its experience, and its destiny. way In the earlier chapters I have glanced at some of the recent speculations of science, in which solutions have been offered of the mysterious problems of Creation, which theologians, as a rule, have fiercely assailed. It seems to me that if we consider them patiently, and let development "have its perfect work," they may open to us a larger vision of the of God in the creation and the government of His world. The chapters which follow deal mainly with the higher Christian experience, and the spirit which Christianity seeks to quicken and to nourish in men. God forbid that the Church should ever be unmindful of the large blessing which intellectual culture and political activity bring in their train. There are periods in which this side of human development needs to be vigorously pushed forward. But in these days it seems well able to care for itself; while the side of man's nature and activity to which the Cross appeals, is in danger of being slighted, and thrust out of the field. But none the less is it the salt of the world's life in all ages, and will be, while the world endures. In treating of this portion of my subject, I have dropped for the most part, all reference to current controversies; while in the closing chapters I have brought back the thread of my thoughts, to the questions which are in such eager debate among us, once more. Each sermon, as I have said, has a certain completeness of its own; and, as a book like this is mostly read in sections, I have not been over studious to avoid the presentation of central ideas again and again, from different points of view, and often with the same illustrations from Scripture. I have used in quotation the authorized version, except where my argument rendered a more accurate translation needful; and throughout the book I have kept steadily in view, the difficulties, burdens, and needs of those who are hardly pressed by the battle, or sharply exercised by the discipline, of life. J. BALDWIN BROWN. KENT VILLA, BRIXTON HILL: VI. THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION. 114 "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" "He brought me forth also into a large place." 2. Sam. xxii. 20. "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no |