THE same apology which prefaced the author's Conferences on Prayer must again find its place at the head of the present volume. Only because the following Conferences substantially represent what was preached, do they claim the title of Oxford Conferences. The outlines from which the spoken word sprang have been filled in with subsequent thought. And though much of the matter which came forward in delivery has necessarily been laid aside or forgotten the author hopes that no loss to the depth or clearness of the doctrine has been the result. If in treating, as he has done, of this difficult subject he has had any aim beside that of fulfilling the word of authority to go and preach, it has been to lure his hearers-and his readers -to the pages of St. Thomas and to the decrees of the Vatican Council. All that he has written has been with the object of serving, not indeed as a commentary, but as an introduction to these two treasuries of thought. For that end alone has he written; nor would his reward be trivial were some of his readers to follow his lead and find therein the joy that he has found.