The North British Review (Volume 34) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1861. Excerpt: ... The NORTH BRITISH REVIEW, MAY, 1861. Art. I.--Convocation. Proceedings in the Upper House, and in the Lower House, February and March, relating to a Volume, entitled 'Essays and Reviews.' London. 1861. It is not a criticism of particular books that we intend at this time; and assuredly it is not an assault upon individual writers. A mode of thinking upon the most momentous subjects has now been long enough in the view of the religious community--in England especially--to have assumed a form marked by characteristics which are easily recognised, and in specifying which there can be little risk, either of falling into material errors, or of doing an injustice to any of the parties implicated. We must not affirm that there is before us a coherent doctrine or theory of religious opinion; for a prominent characteristic of this mode of thinking is--the incoherence of its elements, logically or historically considered. Or if at all it might be spoken of as a scheme, inasmuch as it is the product of much combined thought, and of consultations, and of co-operation, and of a distribution of tasks; on the other hand, it is not a scheme, if this phrase is taken to convey the idea of a symmetrical combination of solid materials: the word in this instance must convey no such positive meaning. Nevertheless, unfixed, unsubstantial, intangible as this system may be, it has, in the course of time--say about a dozen years--developed its qualities, intellectual and moral, in so decisive a manner, that these qualities have become its ostensible features, recognised at a glance by every one who has acquired a knowledge of it, whether from the reading of books, and of our VOL. XXXIV. NO. LXVIII. T daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly literature, or from personal intimacy, or f...