[83] “The work begun by Nature is finished by the Supernatural—as we are wont to call the higher natural. And as the veil is lifted by Christianity, it strikes men dumb with wonder. For the goal of Evolution is Jesus Christ. The Christian life is the only life that will ever be completed. Apart from Christ, the life of man is a broken pillar, the race of men an unfinished pyramid.”—Drummond’s Natural Law in the Spiritual World, p. 314.
[84] See Poem xcvi.
[85] What is the difference of meaning in the two words “adieu” and “farewell”? Byron says in Lara,
“Farewell to life, but not adieu to thee.”
“With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.”
Romans x., 10.
“But as I rav’d, and grew more fierce and wild
At every word,
Methought I heard one calling, Child,
And I reply’d, My Lord.”
The Collar, G. Herbert.
[88] Many years ago, I had a conversation with the Poet in his attic study at Farringford, that lasted till nearly daybreak. He discoursed on many subjects, and when we touched on religion, he said, I am not very fond of creeds: it is enough for me that I know God Himself came down from heaven in the form of man. I cannot resist testifying to the singular frankness and impressiveness of his conversation, especially when talking to my wife, who approached much nearer to his intellectual level than I did, and whom he has now joined “on the mystic deeps.”—A. G.
[89] Shakespeare says,