Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals. * * * * * [Illustration: coverpage] THOUGHTS ON LIFE AND RELIGION THOUGHTS ON LIFE AND RELIGION An Aftermath from the Writings of THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PROFESSOR MAX MÜLLER BY HIS WIFE THIRD IMPRESSION London ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND COMPANY LTD. 1907 Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty PREFACE This book has been prepared in accordance with a wish expressed by many known and unknown admirers of my husband's writings, who desire to possess in a portable form the passages that have specially appealed to them in his different works, and in the _Life and Letters_. I have taken this opportunity of adding extracts from private letters, and from the writings he left unfinished, which would not otherwise have become known to any but his own family or a few intimate friends. Those who have read the _Life and Letters_, do not need to be told that Max Müller lived from his earliest years in the firm conviction that all is wisely ordered in this life, and 'all for our real good, though we do not always see it, and though we cannot venture to fathom the wisdom guiding our steps through life.' To others his unswerving trust and faith as shown in these extracts may be a revelation, for he seldom talked on such subjects. This trust and faith gave him strength through the bitter struggles of his early life, taught him resignation during the years when the dearest wish of his heart seemed unattainable, supported him later when those he tenderly loved were snatched from him by death, and upheld him in his last long and depressing illness. My earnest desire is that this little book may prove a help and comfort to many exposed to like trials, and strengthen those whose path now stretches before them as a sunny avenue, to meet the sorrows that almost surely await them as life advances. GEORGINA MAX MÜLLER. _June 11, 1905_. CONTENTS PAGE The Art of Life, 1 The Beautiful, 4 The Bible, 6 Children, 12 Christ, the Logos, 13 Christianity, 21 Death, 34 The Deity, 44 The Divine, 57 Doubts, 60 Evolution of Religion, 66 Faith, 70 The Fatherhood of God, 73 Future Life, 74 The Infinite, 87 Knowledge, 96 Language, 99 Life, 103 Love, 121 Mankind, 129 Mind or Thought, 132 Miracles, 135 Music, 138 Nature, 139 Obscurity, 142