This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1908. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... assume that negative attitude towards the current method of regarding Divine, truth which was adopted by many of those who came under the influence of Caird's teaching. The Professor himself, it need hardly be said, never wavered in his allegiance to what is truly essential in the Christian religion. Indeed, he was the helper of those who had the power to follow him in his search after eternal truth; and the inspiration of his teaching and character was deeply felt by those who sat under him. But a spirit of negation began to possess not a few of those who at the time were affected by the new outlook upon theology. Matheson never fell under its spell, nor had he as a student become thoroughly imbued with the positive spirit which reconstructed afresh the forms of belief after criticism had done its work with them. He was evidently content for the time being to walk in the old paths, and to light them up with flashes of imagination and poetry. He could not, however, live long in a frail house of this kind; the crash was bound to come, and when it did come his theological tabernacle was a mass of ruins. Ten years before his death, referring to this experience, which could never be forgotten by him, he said: At one time, with a great thrill of horror, I found myself an absolute atheist. After being ordained at Innellan, I believed nothing; neither God nor immortality. I tendered my resignation to the Presbytery, but to their honour they would not accept it, even though a Highland Presbytery. They said I was a young man, and would change. I have changed. I do not think that the matter ever came to so acute a crisis ecclesiastically. There is no evidence that the subject came officially before the court, although he undoubtedly was quite willing that it should do so, ..