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 awish expressed by many known and unknownadmirers of my husband's writings, who desire topossess in a portable form the passages that havespecially appealed to them in his different works, andin the Life and Letters.
I have taken this opportunity of adding extractsfrom private letters, and from the writings he leftunfinished, which would not otherwise have becomeknown to any but his own family or a few intimatefriends.
Those who have read the Life and Letters, do notneed to be told that Max Müller lived from his earliestyears in the firm conviction that all is wisely orderedin this life, and 'all for our real good, though wedo not always see it, and though we cannot ventureto fathom the wisdom guiding our steps throughlife.'
To others his unswerving trust and faith as shownin these extracts may be a revelation, for he seldom[vi]talked on such subjects. This trust and faith gavehim strength through the bitter struggles of his earlylife, taught him resignation during the years whenthe dearest wish of his heart seemed unattainable,supported him later when those he tenderly lovedwere snatched from him by death, and upheld himin his last long and depressing illness.
My earnest desire is that this little book may provea help and comfort to many exposed to like trials, andstrengthen those whose path now stretches beforethem as a sunny avenue, to meet the sorrows thatalmost surely await them as life advances.
Georgina Max Müller.
June 11, 1905.