and be scriptural; and they should always be c simple, modern terms. No particular rule can be g mittance into the church which will apply to all pla persons. But the fewer requirements it is found n add to what is acknowledged only to be essential ship in the invisible church of Christ, the better. count of the hardness of men's hearts, and their spi ness, it is evident that something more may be requ church visible. Yet it should never be forgotten th is made for the church, and not the church for the ci

ART. IV. GREEK PHILOSOPHY.

The term philosopher, or lover of wisdom, is an which was first applied by Pythagoras of Samos. originator of the Italic, as Thales, his predecessor, sophoi or wise men, was of the Ionic school, abou B. C. Philosophy means a search after wisdom. is looked for amongst the things that are seen a weighed and measured, it is physical philosophy. seeks for an object which is not of this material ki a metaphysical philosopher.

All philosophical elements are in the east, but e one another, needing a distinct and natural grow

roots of the modern world are in classic antiquity, so those of classic antiquity are on the coasts of Egypt, in the vales of Persia, and on the heights of Asia. The oriental world preceded Greece, but has left no legible record of her past. In the progressive west alone does authentic history begin, and this is embodied in history, as in every other branch of human improvement. The world of humanity was seen to take a step forward, when civilization descended through Asia Minor, and traversed the Mediterranean to rest on the coasts of Attica. There all the elements of human nature came under a new condition, and soon adopted the permanent order of an independent march.

The earliest philosophy of Greece had an Asiatic origin, and was received through Ionia. Many fragments from that source were incorporated in the works of Homer and Hesiod, and others are quoted by the primitive annalists from the still more ancient oracular poetry. Sir William Jones was of the opinion. that the six leading schools whose principles are explained in the Dersana Sastra, comprise all the metaphysics of the old Academy, the Stoa, and the Lyceum. "Nor," continues he, "is it possible to read the Vedasta, or the many compositions in illustration of it, without believing that Pythagoras and Plato derived their sublime theories from the same fountain with the sages of India." In the mathematical sciences, the Hindoos were acquainted with the decimal notation by nine digits and zero. In algebra, Mr. Colebrooke found reason to conclude that the Greeks were far behind the Hindoos, but it is possible that the latter was obtained from the Morea at a later period, through the Arabs. But on the question of philosophy there can be no doubt that incipient notions existed in Hindoostan, compared with which the antiquity of Pythagoras is but of yesterday, and in point of daring, the boldest flights of Plato were tame and common place.

Grecian art, which rose to absolute perfection, ended also with itself, and presents a striking exemplification of the perishable nature of merely instinctive greatness. But the philosophy of that wonderful people was more immutably founded, and has never ceased to show that the human race, unlike

indeed be obscured, but can never be obliterated. Vi and revolutions may rapidly succeed, and in great but human destiny is higher and better than these, all, assimilates all, and subordinates all to its own su hests. Every epoch, in retiring from the stage of t leaves after it a long heritage of contrary interests; only wait for a sufficient accumulation of other like that with them a homogeneous amalgam may be form basis of yet worthier superadditions.

The Hellenic mind invented the art of deducing t principles, by the dialectical process; and this divinest discoveries has exerted the most auspicious influence quent philosophy and religion. The world had alread much, when the Greek first demonstrated that reason often err, but reason never. That is the only mediu which truth is conveyed, and Greek philosophy was t ious, when it became to mankind the translation of the consciousness of God into reasoning. This was first fathom the depths of physical speculation, and then in secrated soul of Socrates, it labored to possess the universal humanity, that thereby it might unfold to all est science. Shem transformed figurative signs into s ters, and invented the alphabet; but that greater the human race, Japhet, did vastly more, by trans hieroglyphics of thought into simple elements, thereby dialectical philosophy. This changed myths, legends ions, as well as more authentic annals into the heirloo kind by reason, and became at once and for all time

shrunk not from propounding all those problems in morals most interesting to man; and whatever may their skill in solving them, they certainly were t point the way to true greatness. But for the restle inquiry which was awakened by Greek philosophy, t nations might still have been slumbering in barbarian Ancient dialetics prepared the way, for modern p teaching intellect to discipline and comprehend itsel that it may accurately scan nature, and bind her fo car of human welfare. Such was the idea exp Aristotle when he said: "The order of the unive that of a family, of which each member has its part i rily or capriciously enforced, but prefixed and app in their diversified functions conspiring to the harm whole."

Philosophy, like the literature, art, and science cients, had its origin amongst the Asiatic Greeks. region that gave existence and character to Homer dotus, produced also Thales, Anaximander, Anaxi Heraclitus, founders of the Ionic school. They b the same region, studied under like auspices, and fo tinuous links in the great chain of perpetual progres same source is to be accredited those who extend doctrines to Magna Grecia and southern Italy, such wa Zenophanes, and that mighty founder of the most e federacy, Pythagoras.

Anaxagoras, successor of Anaximenes, was born B. C. After giving great distinction to the Ionic came to reside at Athens, where he taught Pericles a

des, at the same time he was opening the source from which Socrates derived his knowledge of natural philosophy."

Parmenides, Zecus, and Leucippus, natives of Elsa, enhanced the reputation of the Eleatic school, founded by Zenophanes about 500 years B. C. Democritus, a disciple of Lencippus, increased its fame still more, but modified its doctrines extensively.

Socrates, according to Cicero, "brought down philosophy from heaven to dwell upon earth, who made her even an inmate of our habitations." His discomfiture of the Sophists, whose futile logic inflicted such injury on the Athenian mind, was a great blessing to his country, but one which cost the benefactor his life. His doctrines were never committed to writing by himself, but have been preserved in substance by his distinguished pupils, Plato and Zenophon.

The Cyrenaic sect was founded by Aristippus, a disciple of Socrates. It degenerated through the varied succession of Theodorus, Hegerias, and Anniceris, to merge finally in the kindred doctrines on happiness inculcated by Epicurus.

Antisthenes was the first of the Cynics, and was succeeded by the more notorious Diogenes. This school was composed of disciplinarians, rather than doctrinists, whose whole business was to endeavor so to arrange the circumstances of life, that they may produce the maximum of pleasure, and the minimum of pain. The caustic wit of Diogenes was directed against more refined teachers, especially his great contempory Plato. The latter, in terms which implied respect for the evident talents of a rival whom he had so much reason to despise, called hima Socrates run mad."

Archelaus succeeded Diogenes, and was called, by way of eminence, the natural philosopher." Before him Anaxagoras had taught occasional disciples in Athens; but it is probable that Archelaus was the first to open a regular school there. He transferred the chair of philosophy from Ionic to the metropolis of Minerva 450 years B. C.

The Megaric sect of sophists was the last and worst. It was founded by Eucledes, and produced Eubulides, Alexinus, Eleensis, Diodorus, and Stilpo. Contemporary criticism applied