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through which the mind looks out upon a more extensive and
inclusive world。 The difference of the views seen from the
different mystical windows need not prevent us from entertaining
this supposition。 The wider world would in that case prove to
have a mixed constitution like that of this world； that is all。
It would have its celestial and its infernal regions； its
tempting and its saving moments； its valid experiences and its
counterfeit ones； just as our world has them； but it would be a
wider world all the same。 We should have to use its experiences
by selecting and subordinating and substituting just as is our
custom in this ordinary naturalistic world； we should be liable
to error just as we are now； yet the counting in of that wider
world of meanings； and the serious dealing with it； might； in
spite of all the perplexity； be indispensable stages in our
approach to the final fullness of the truth。
＇287＇ They sometimes add subjective audita et visa to the facts；
but as these are usually interpreted as transmundane； they oblige
no alteration in the facts of sense。
In this shape； I think； we have to leave the subject。 Mystical
states indeed wield no authority due simply to their being
mystical states。 But the higher ones among them point in
directions to which the religious sentiments even of non…
mystical men incline。 They tell of the supremacy of the ideal；
of vastness； of union； of safety； and of rest。 They offer us
HYPOTHESES； hypotheses which we may voluntarily ignore； but which
as thinkers we cannot possibly upset。 The supernaturalism and
optimism to which they would persuade us may； interpreted in one
way or another； be after all the truest of insights into the
meaning of this life。
〃Oh； the little more； and how much it is； and the little less；
and what worlds away！〃 It may be that possibility and permission
of this sort are all that are religious consciousness requires to
live on。 In my last lecture I shall have to try to persuade you
that this is the case。 Meanwhile； however； I am sure that for
many of my readers this diet is too slender。 If supernaturalism
and inner union with the divine are true； you think； then not so
much permission； as compulsion to believe； ought to be found。
Philosophy has always professed to prove religious truth by
coercive argument； and the construction of philosophies of this
kind has always been one favorite function of the religious life；
if we use this term in the large historic sense。 But religious
philosophy is an enormous subject； and in my next lecture I can
only give that brief glance at it which my limits will allow。