25 FEBRUARY 1899, Page 25

Elements of the Science of Religion. By C. P. Tiele,

Th.D. Vol. II. (BlOckwood and Sons. 7s. 6d.net.)—Professor Tiele gives in his Toittme the second series of GiffsnAleeaures, delivered before the University of Edinburgh. itctitem.with the ontological part of his subject. From discussing manifestations of religion as they are to be seen in human history, he passes to consider the permanent element as it may be traced by examination of the human mind. The ninth lecture, "Inquiry into the Origin of Religion," is the most important and illuminating of the series. His own-experience has been to progress from the theory that " religion is the result of a conflict between the sense of self and the sense of necessity " to the belief that " man has the Infinite within him, even before he is himself conscious of it." This gives a large significance to the final words of his Preface that "between pure science and true religion nothing but perfect and abiding harmony can prevail." If religion is not merely sub- jective, we must find its ultimate essence in a divine verity, in fact in the infinite.