AGNOSTIC'S M.
[TO THE EDITOR 07 THIS " essences."
SIR,—The author of the book on this subject which you reviewed in the Spectator of March 4th apparently identifies agnosticism with materialism, pessimism, and anarchism. Your own view is that "those who stick in the agnostic stage are either feeble thinkers or persons lacking in serious character." Both you and the writer you criticise singularly ignore the facts around you. Vast numbers—in my belief, the great majority—both of men of action and of men of thought are agnostics. "All wise men are of the same religion."—" And what is that P "—" No wise man ever tells." Hence the question of numbers is necessarily one of impres- sion. But this agnosticism is neither pessimism nor anarchism. (Materialism in this context I take to be merely a term of abuse.) Such a man would say :--` I never heard and cannot imagine any arguments which convince me of the existence of a God or of the continuity of life after death. As to the former, the balance of probability, so far as I am acquainted with the facts, seems to be in favour of the world having grown of itself without external in- tervention. As to the latter, I cannot see that the strong and general desire of mankind gives any ground for believing that (to use an old simile) the tune will live longer than the lyre. At the same time, both are comfortable doctrines and wholly incapable of disproof. Of both I should be only too glad to receive proof, and therefore act as if both were true. In the meantime, however, I am not conscious of anything in this state of uncertainty which lessens the claim of duty upon me, or which makes me lees strenuous to do what I can for the good ordering of those matters with which I am con- cerned.' Such an attitude may be called cheerless, but it does not prevent the enjoyment of moderate happiness and
the doing of a good day's work.—I am, Sir, &o., M.P.
[We have never said that agnostics were incapable of doing their duty. No such assault upon their dreary creed was made or intended by 118.—ED. Spectator.]
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