Modern Philosophy. 103 this situation a supernumerary conceptual object called an ‘ab solute,’ into which you pack the self-same contradictions un reduced” (page 271). Once more we quote: “When I read transcendentalist literature * * * I get nothing but a sort of marking of time, champing of jaws, paw ing of the ground, and resettling into the same attitude, like a weafy horse in a stall with an empty manger. I t is but a turning over the same threadbare categories, bringing ^ the same objections, and urging the same answers and solutions, with never a new fact or new horizon coming into sight (page 265). This is what a philosopher of the front ranks says of the ruling philosophy of the day, whose speculations are being impressed upon the minds of our brightest college students. One comment may be permitted, namely, that if a foolish ab solute did not create men by thinking them, certainly foolish men have created an absolute by thinking i t ; and it is difficult to conceive how they could have employed their minds more foolishly. AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK. This is the situation brought about, now that Christianity has been politely bowed out of our schools and seminaries in order to make room for the irrational philosophy of Hindoo- ism! Very pertinent in this connection are the words of the prophet: “The wise men are ashamed; they are dismayed and taken. Lo, they have rejected the Word of the Lord, and what wisdom is in them?” (Jer. 8 :9.) For the occupation in which our philosophers are engaged is the impossible task of trying to establish an explanation of the visible universe after having rejected the true account thereof received from its Creator. The god of the ruling philosophy is one who is not permitted to speak or make himself known in any way. Philosophy must needs put these restraints upon him for its own protec tion ; for, should he break through them, the occupation of the
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