HALF TRUTHS AND THE TRUTH.

LECTURES

ON THE

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF PREVAILING FORMS OF UNBELIEF,
CONSIDERED IN RELATION TO THE NATURE AND
CLAIMS OF THE CHRISTIAN SYSTEM.

BY

REV. J. M. MANNING, D. D.,

PASTOR OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCHI, BOSTON, AND LECTURER ON THE
RELATIONS OF CHRISTIANITY TO POPULAR INFIDELITY

AT ANDOVER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which

is Jesus Christ. 1 COR. iii. 11.

BOSTON:

LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS.

NEW YORK:

LEE, SHEPARD AND DILLINGHAM.

57396

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871,

BY LEE AND SHEPARD,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

Stereotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry,

No. 19 Spring Lane.

CONTENTS.

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INTRODUCTION.

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Nature and spirit of the work. - Definition of the word "infidelity."— Char-

ity; its limit.

Invidious use of the word. - Practical infidelity. - Sense in

which the word is here used. — Etymological meaning. To be used with

discrimination at all times. - Should be boldly applied when deserved. —

Two sources of infidelity. - Strictly but one source. Effects of the Fall. —

Two opposite mental tendencies. Each tendency the source of a class of

infidelities. Scope of the present work. -Suggestions in advance. Spec-

ulative and scientific theories not to be prejudged. — Error not always to be

denounced. Mistake respecting astronomy.

Treatment of geology.-

Caution respecting Darwinism. - Fondness of clergymen for science.

Man's physical nature not a subject of revelation. - A true spirit of reform

in the church. - Natural history of infidel reformers. — Infidelity welcomes

those whom the church repels. The church not innocent. Should avoid

a false position. - Duty of the pulpit. - Congregations must co-operate.

New England pulpit to be commended. Effect of a weak pulpit. - Lead-

ing infidels. - - How the exigency is to be met. The spirit of Christ in his

people our main reliance. — Duty of ministers. The whole church must

have the mind of Christ. — How the spirit of Christ is to be shown.

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spirit peculiar to Christianity.

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Pages 1-36

LECTURE I.

SPINOZA AND OTHER MASTERS.

A singular death-bed scene.

childhood. His studies.

His excommunication. - -A fugitive. - At school. His love. His pur-

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- His defection. His

- Spinoza's parents religious refugees. His

trial. — - His conduct. -

pose formed. - Reads Descartes.-

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Characteristics. -

His poverty. His

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