but which will infallibly occur if men like Samuel of Oxford are to have
the guidance of her destinies--it must be by the efforts of men who,
like yourself, see your way to the combination of the practice of the
Church with the spirit of science. Understand that all the younger men
of science whom I know intimately are ESSENTIALLY of my way of thinking.
(I know not a scoffer or an irreligious or an immoral man among them,
but they all regard orthodoxy as you do Brahmanism.) Understand that
this new school of the prophets is the only one that can work miracles,
the only one that can constantly appeal to nature for evidence that it
is right, and you will comprehend that it is of no use to try to
barricade us with shovel hats and aprons, or to talk about our doctrines
being "shocking."

I don't profess to understand the logic of yourself, Maurice, and the
rest of your school, but I have always said I would swear by your
truthfulness and sincerity, and that good must come of your efforts. The
more plain this was to me, however, the more obvious the necessity to
let you see where the men of science are driving, and it has often been
in my mind to write to you before.

If I have spoken too plainly anywhere, or too abruptly, pardon me, and
do the like to me.

My wife thanks you very much for your volume of sermons.

Ever yours very faithfully,

T.H. Huxley.

[A letter written in reply to the suggestion that he should carry out