rds_, p. 147.

[3] As a fair specimen of the extent to which philological criticism is
often carried by some of our German friends, when advocating a doubtful
cause, we quote a paragraph in point from Dr. Rueckert's work, _Der
Rationalismus_, one of the latest and feeblest apologies for neological
thought:

"What is Rationalism? We must try to get the meaning from the term
itself. And what sort of a term is it? Barbarous enough! Its root is
_ratio_, but it is directly from _rationalis_ that the word in question
is derived. Now this word is good enough in itself, for it signifies
_what is conformable to reason, that which possesses the attributes and
methods of reason_. Man is a _rational_ animal, and it is his
rationality that distinguishes him from all other animals. So much for
this part of the word Rationalism. Now for the barbarous part of it, the
-ism. This termination belongs to another language, the Greek +-ismos+,
and is derived from a verbal ending which cannot be expressed in Latin,
namely--+izein+. Now if we examine certain intransitive verbs, such as
+medizein+, +lakonizein+, +rhomaizein+, +attikizein+, we shall find
their common peculiarity is that the persons meant are not the real
persons which the words seem to signify, but only act in their capacity.
Not a real Mede +medizei+; no true Spartan +lakonizei+; and so of all
the rest. But those Greeks who would rather belong to the Medes than be
freemen, _act like Medes, would prefer to be under Median
rule_--+medizousin+. This +-ismos+ is a termination from this class of
verbs, and is employed in reproach and not in praise. Hence
_Rationalist_ is a term of contempt, and means _not one who is really
reasonable, but would like to pass for such_." Of course the Doctor
concludes that the word is a most flagrant and unrighteous misnomer; but
we accept his philology and return him our thanks for his etymological
_study_.

[4] _Geschichte des Rationalismus und Supernaturalismus_, pp. 3-4.

[5] _De Rationalismi_: A Disputation at Leipzig.

[6] _State of Protestantism in Germany._ pp. XXII-XXVI.

[7] _Thoughts on Rationalism._ pp. 23-32.

[8] _Histoire du Rationalisme._ pp. 1-6.

[9] _History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in
Europe._ By W. E. H. Lecky, M. A. 2 vols. Longmans, London, 1865.

[10] _History of the Rise and Spirit of Rationalism in Europe_, vol. I.,
pp. 183-185.

CHAPTER I.

CONTROVERSIAL PERIOD SUCCEEDING THE