Orthodoxy

THE only possible excuse for this book is that it is an answer to a challenge.

Even abad shot is dignified when he accepts a duel. When some time ago I published aseries of hasty but sincere papers, under the name of "Heretics," several critics forwhose intellect I have a warm respect (I may mention specially Mr. G.S.Street) saidthat it was all very well for me to tell everybody to affirm his cosmic theory, butthat I had carefully avoided supporting my precepts with example. "I will begin toworry about my philosophy," said Mr. Street, "when Mr. Chesterton has given ushis." It was perhaps an incautious suggestion to make to a person only too ready towrite books upon the feeblest provocation.

But after all, though Mr. Street hasinspired and created this book, he need not read it.

If he does read it, he will findthat in its pages I have attempted in a vague and personal way, in a set of mentalpictures rather than in a series of deductions, to state the philosophy in which Ihave come to believe.

I will not call it my philosophy; for I did not make it.

God andhumanity made it; and it made me.