guments, but meeting them in
all their force and _crushing_ them." Another critic says: "It is a
great argument for Theism and against Atheism, magnificent in its
strength, order, and beauty.... The style is lucid, grave, harmonious,
and every way commensurate with the dignity and importance of the
subject.... The chapter on Pantheism is admirable. Regarding it as 'the
most formidable rival of Christian Theism at the present day,' Dr.
Buchanan seems to have specially addressed himself to the task of
exposing and refuting this error. His statement of Spinoza's system is
beautifully clear."

The reader will find that there is no exaggeration in these encomiums.
Hugh Miller, always felicitous in his choice of words, has exactly
described the two leading characteristics of "Modern Atheism," by the
phrase "readable and solid." Every one who begins the book will find
himself drawn strongly onward to the end; and no one can rise from its
perusal without a conviction that it contains a weight of argument
against _all_ the forms of Atheism such as never before has been
combined in one book.

Should the reception of this volume by the public furnish sufficient
encouragement, it is the intention of the publishers to issue the
remainder of the work ("Faith in God," &c.), in uniform style.

BOSTON, _December_, 1856.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION, 9

CHAPTER I.
MODERN ATHEISM, 15

CHAPTER II.
THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT, 45

SECTION I.
THEORY OF COSMICAL DEVELOPMENT,--"THE VESTIGES," 47

SECTION II.
THEORY OF PHYSIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT,--"TELLIAMED,"
--PHYSIO-PHILOSOPHY, 61

SECTION III.
THEORY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT,--AUGUSTE COMTE, 84

SECTION IV.
THEORY OF ECCLESIASTICAL DEVELOPMENT,--J. H. NEWMAN, 116

CHAPTER III.
THEORIES OF PANTHEISM, 129

SECTION I.
THE SYSTEM OF SPINOZA, 142

SECTION II.
MATERIAL PANTHEISM, 161

SECTION III.
IDEAL PANTHEISM, 167

CHAPTER IV.
THEORIES OF MATERIALISM, 189

SECTION I.
DISTINCT FORMS OF MATERIALISM,