skeptics to the department
of inquiry in which they labor. The perversions and errors of science,
and not science itself, are at enmity with revelation. Mr. Darwin's
theory of development seems to be in outright opposition to the
Scriptural account of the animal creation. But there is no occasion of
alarm at what he has said, for neither he nor all who think with him can
invalidate the truths of Scripture. We should despise no theory that
aims at our better comprehension of great truths; for the day will come
when science, in its mature glory and strength, shall cast its human
lustre on all the pages of divine truth.

The true way to meet the writings of skeptics in the Church is by calm
replies to their charges, and by immediate ecclesiastical discipline.
Every word or act that savors of tyranny or undue exaction creates
friends for them, and when for them, for their opinions also. Mere
general remarks in reply to their attacks will accomplish nothing.
Little advantage would be gained if every preacher in Great Britain and
America were only to say, "Bishop Colenso is in error." But it will be
a public benefit if he be treated with personal kindness of expression
as a brother-man, his arguments examined, and their obnoxious fallacy
proved. The Church should deal toward the foes of her own household with
the greatest possible caution, else the reaction will be of lasting
evil. Neander taught a lesson for all coming time when a royal edict was
about to appear forbidding the entrance of Strauss' _Life of Jesus_
within the Prussian dominion. He violently opposed it, and gave it as
his opinion, that "the work of Strauss, though not profound, was written
with much talent, and that throughout, science predominated over and
extinguished sentiment. That, in truth, the writer appeared to be guided
by singular good faith, but that his mythical system did nevertheless
undermine Christianity; and that if it spread, it might be feared that
it might destroy Christian faith; but, yet, that it would be a great
mistake to interdict the work; since, when once interdicted, it could
not be refuted, and by such a measure it would acquire an undue
importance."

But whatever precautions are taken in dealing with skepticism, it is
essential that the spirit of unity pervade all evangelical
denominations. During the Peninsular War, the Duke of Wellington,
observing that one of his officers of artillery was serving a gun with
remarkable precisio