PREFACE
1MyforemostdesigninwritingthisPrefaceistoaddressawordofexhortationtotheSocietyforPromotingChristianKnowledge。Intheessaywhichfollows，thereaderwilloftenfindBishopWilsonquoted。TomeandtothemembersoftheSocietyforPromotingChristianKnowledgehisnameandwritingsarestill，nodoubt，familiar。Buttheworldisfastgoingawayfromold—fashionedpeopleofhissort，andIlearntwithconsternationlatelyfromabrilliantanddistinguishedvotaryofthenaturalsciences，thathehadneversomuchasheardofBishopWilson，andthatheimaginedmetohaveinventedhim。AtamomentwhentheCourtsofLawhavejusttakenofftheembargofromtherecreativereligionfurnishedonSundaysbymygiftedacquaintanceandothers，andwhenSt。Martin’sHallandtheAlhambrawillsoonbebeginningagaintoresoundwiththeirpulpit—eloquence，itdistressesonetothinkthatthenewlightsshouldnotonlyhave，ingeneral，averylowopinionofthepreachersoftheoldreligion，butthattheyshouldhaveitwithoutknowingthebestthatthesepreacherscando。Andthattheyareinthiscaseisowinginpart，certainly，tothenegligenceoftheChristianKnowledgeSociety。IntheoldtimestheyusedtoprintandspreadabroadBishopWilson’sMaximsofPietyandChristianity。ThecopyofthisworkwhichIuseisoneoftheirpublications，bearingtheirimprint，andboundinthewell—knownbrowncalfwhichtheymadefamiliartoourchildhood；butthedateofmycopyis1812。Iknowofnocopybesides，andIbelievetheworkisnolongeroneofthoseprintedandcirculatedbytheSociety。1Hencetheerror，flattering，Iown，tomepersonally，yetinitselftoberegretted，ofthedistinguishedphysicistalreadymentioned。
2ButBishopWilson’sMaximsdeservetobecirculatedasareligiousbook，notonlybycomparisonwiththecartloadsofrubbishcirculatedatpresentunderthisdesignation，butfortheirownsake，andevenbycomparisonwiththeotherworksofthesameauthor。
OverthefarbetterknownSacraPrivatatheyhavethisadvantage，thattheywerepreparedbyhimforhisownprivateuse，whiletheSacraPrivatawerepreparedbyhimfortheuseofthepublic。TheMaximswerenevermeanttobeprinted，andhaveonthataccount，likeaworkof，doubtless，fardeeperemotionandpower，theMeditationsofMarcusAurelius，somethingpeculiarlysincereandfirst—handaboutthem。SomeofthebestthingsfromtheMaximshavepassedintotheSacraPrivata。Still，intheMaxims，wehavethemastheyfirstarose；
andwhereas，too，intheSacraPrivatathewriterspeaksveryoftenasoneoftheclergy，andasaddressingtheclergy，intheMaximshealmostalwaysspeakssolelyasaman。IamnotsayingawordagainsttheSacraPrivata，forwhichIhavethehighestrespect；onlytheMaximsseemtomeabetterandmoreedifyingbookstill。Theyshouldberead，asJoubertsaysNicoleshouldberead，withadirectaimatpractice。
Thereaderwillleaveononesidethingswhich，fromthechangeoftimeandfromthechangedpointofviewwhichthechangeoftimeinevitablybringswithit，nolongersuithim；enoughwillremaintoserveasasampleoftheverybest，perhaps，whichournationandracecandointhewayofreligiouswriting。M。Micheletmakesitareproachtousthat，inallthedoubtastotherealauthoroftheImitation，noonehaseverdreamedofascribingthatworktoanEnglishman。Itistrue，theImitationcouldnotwellhavebeenwrittenbyanEnglishman；thereligiousdelicacyand，theprofoundasceticismofthatadmirablebookarehardlyinournature。
Thiswouldbemoreofareproachtousifinpoetry，whichrequires，nolessthanreligion，atruedelicacyofspiritualperception，ourracehadnotdonegreatthings；andiftheImitation，exquisiteasitis，didnot，asIhaveelsewhereremarked，belongtoaclassofworksinwhichtheperfectbalanceofhumannatureislost，andwhichhavetherefore，asspiritualproductions，intheircontentssomethingexcessiveandmorbid，intheirformsomethingnotthoroughlysound。OnalowerrangethantheImitation，andawakeninginournaturechordslesspoeticalanddelicate，theMaximsofBishopWilsonare，asareligiouswork，farmoresolid。Tothemostsincereardourandunction，BishopWilsonunites，intheseMaxims，thatdownrighthonestyandplaingoodsensewhichourEnglishracehassopowerfullyappliedtothedivineimpossibilitiesofreligion；bywhichithasbroughtreligionsomuchintopracticallife，andhasdoneitsallottedpartinpromotinguponearththekingdomofGod。
3Withardourandunctionreligion，asweallknow，maystillbefanatical；withhonestyandgoodsense，itmaystillbeprosaic；andthefruitofhonestyandgoodsenseunitedwithardourandunctionisoftenonlyaprosaicreligionheldfanatically。BishopWilson’sexcellenceliesinabalanceofthefourqualities，andinafulnessandperfectionofthem，whichmakesthisuntowardresultimpossible。Hisunctionissoperfect，andinsuchhappyalliancewithhisgoodsense，thatitbecomestendernessandferventcharity。Hisgoodsenseissoperfect，andinsuchhappyalliancewithhisunction，thatitbecomesmoderationandinsight。While，therefore，thetypeofreligionexhibitedinhisMaximsisEnglish，itisyetatypeofafarhigherkindthanisingeneralreachedbyBishopWilson’scountrymen；andyet，beingEnglish，itispossibleandattainableforthem。AndsoIconcludeasIbegan，bysayingthataworkofthissortisonewhichtheSocietyforPromotingChristianKnowledgeshouldnotsuffertoremainoutofprintandoutofcurrency。
4Andnowtopasstothematterscanvassedinthefollowingessay。Thewholescopeoftheessayistorecommendcultureasthegreathelpoutofourpresentdifficulties；culturebeingapursuitofourtotalperfectionbymeansofgettingtoknow，onallthematterswhichmostconcernus，thebestwhichhasbeenthoughtandsaidintheworld；andthroughthisknowledge，turningastreamoffreshandfreethoughtuponourstocknotionsandhabits，whichwenowfollowstaunchlybutmechanically，vainlyimaginingthatthereisavirtueinfollowingthemstaunchlywhichmakesupforthemischiefoffollowingthemmechanically。This，andthisalone，isthescopeofthefollowingessay。Andtheculturewerecommendis，aboveall，aninwardoperation。
5Butweareoftensupposed，whenwecriticisebythehelpofculturesomeimperfectdoingorother，tohaveinoureyesomewell—knownrivalplanofdoing，whichwewanttoserveandrecommendThus，forinstance，becausewehavefreelypointedoutthedangersandinconveniencestowhichourliteratureisexposedintheabsenceofanycentreoftasteandauthorityliketheFrenchAcademy，itisconstantlysaidthatwewanttointroducehereinEnglandaninstitutionliketheFrenchAcademy。Wehave，indeed，expresslydeclaredthatwewantednosuchthing；butletusnoticehowitisjustourworshipofmachinery，andofexternaldoing，whichleadstothischargebeingbrought；andhowtheinwardnessofculturemakesusseize，forwatchingandcure，thefaultstowhichourwantofanAcademyinclinesus，andyetpreventsusfromtrustingtoanarmofflesh，asthePuritanssay，——fromblindlyflyingtothisoutwardmachineryofanAcademy，inordertohelpourselves。FortheverysamecultureandfreeinwardplayofthoughtwhichshowshowtheCorinthianstyle，orthewhimsiesabouttheOnePrimevalLanguage，aregeneratedandstrengthenedintheabsenceofanAcademy，showsus，too，howlittleanyAcademy，suchasweshouldbelikelytoget，wouldcurethem。Everyonewhoknowsthecharacteristicsofournationallife，andthetendenciessofullydiscussedinthefollowingpages，knowsexactlywhatanEnglishAcademywouldbelike。Onecanseethehappyfamilyinone’smind’seyeasdistinctlyasifitwerealreadyconstituted。LordStanhope，theDeanofSt。Paul’s，2theBishopofOxford，3Mr。Gladstone，theDeanofWestminster，Mr。Froude，Mr。HenryReeve，——everythingwhichisinfluential，accomplished，anddistinguished；andthen，somefinemorning，adissatisfactionofthepublicmindwiththisbrilliantandselectcoterie，aflightofCorinthianleadingarticles，andanirruptionofMr。G。A。Sala。Clearly，thisisnotwhatwilldousgood。Theverysamefaults，——thewantofsensitivenessofintellectualconscience，thedisbeliefinrightreason，thedislikeofauthority，——whichhavehinderedourhavinganAcademyandhaveworkedinjuriouslyinourliterature，wouldalsohinderusfrommakingourAcademy，ifweestablishedit，onewhichwouldreallycorrectthem。Andculture，whichshowsustrulythefaultstobecorrected，showsusthisalsojustastruly。
6Natural，aswehavesaid，thesortofmisunderstandingjustnoticedis；yetourusefulnessdependsuponourbeingabletoclearitaway，andtoconvincethosewhomechanicallyservesomestocknotionoroperation，andtherebygoastray，thatitisnotculture’sworkoraimtogivethevictorytosomerivalfetish，butsimplytoturnafreeandfreshstreamofthoughtuponthewholematterinquestion。Inathingofmoreimmediateinterest，justnow，thananyquestionofanAcademy，thelikemisunderstandingprevails；anduntilitisdissipated，culturecandonogoodworkinthematter。WhenwecriticisethepresentoperationofdisestablishingtheIrishChurch，notbythepowerofreasonandjustice，butbythepoweroftheantipathyoftheProtestantNonconformists，EnglishandScotch，toestablishments，wearecalledenemiesoftheNonconformists，blindpartisansoftheAnglicanEstablishment，possessedwiththeonedesiretohelptheclergyandtoharmtheDissenters。Morethanafewwordswemustgivetoshowinghowerroneousarethesecharges；becauseiftheyweretrue，weshouldbeactuallysubvertingourowndesign，andplayingfalsetothatculturewhichitisourverypurposetorecommend。
7CertainlywearenoenemiesoftheNonconformists；
for，onthecontrary，whichweaimatistheirperfection。Butculture，whichisthestudyofperfection，leadsus，asweinthefollowingpageshaveshown，toconceiveoftruehumanperfectionasaharmoniousperfection，developingallsidesofourhumanity；andasageneralperfection，developingallpartsofoursociety。Forifonemembersuffer，theothermembersmustsufferwithit；andthefewertherearethatfollowthetruewayofsalvation，theharderthatwayistofind。AndwhiletheNonconformists，thesuccessorsandrepresentativesofthePuritans，andlikethemstaunchlywalkingbythebestlighttheyhave，makealargepartofwhatisstrongestandmostseriousinthisnation，andthereforeattractourrespectandinterest，yetallwhich，inwhatfollows，issaidaboutHebraismandHellenism，hasforitsmainresulttoshowhowourPuritans，ancientandmodern，havenotenoughaddedtotheircareforwalkingstaunchlybythebestlighttheyhave，acarethatthatlightbenotdarkness；howtheyhavedevelopedonesideoftheirhumanityattheexpenseofallothers，andhavebecomeincompleteandmutilatedmeninconsequence。Thusfallingshortofharmoniousperfection，theyfailtofollowthetruewayofsalvation。Thereforethatwayismadetheharderforotherstofind，generalperfectionisputfurtheroffoutofourreach，andtheconfusionandperplexity，inwhichoursocietynowlabours，isincreasedbytheNonconformistsratherthandiminishedbythem。SowhilewepraiseandesteemthezealoftheNonconformistsinwalkingstaunchlybythebestlighttheyhave，anddesiretotakenowhitfromit，weseektoaddtothiswhatwecallsweetnessandlight，andtodeveloptheirfullhumanitymoreperfectly。ToseekthisiscertainlynottobetheenemyoftheNonconformists。
8Butnow，withtheseideasinourhead，wecomeupontheoperationfordisestablishingtheIrishChurchbythepoweroftheNonconformists’antipathytoreligiousestablishmentsandendowments。
AndweseeLiberalstatesmen，forwhosepurposethisantipathyhappenstobeconvenient，flatteringitalltheycan；sayingthatthoughtheyhavenointentionoflayinghandsonanEstablishmentwhichisefficientandpopular，liketheAnglicanEstablishmenthereinEngland，yetitisintheabstractafineandgoodthingthatreligionshouldbelefttothevoluntarysupportofitspromoters，andshouldthusgaininenergyandindependence；andMr。GladstonehasnowordsstrongenoughtoexpresshisadmirationoftherefusalofState—aidbytheIrishRomanCatholics，whohaveneveryetbeenseriouslyaskedtoacceptit，butwhowouldagooddealembarrasshimiftheydemandedit。Andweseephilosophicalpoliticianswithaturnforswimmingwiththestream，andphilosophicaldivineswiththesameturn，seekingtogiveasortofgrandstampofgeneralityandsolemnitytothisantipathyoftheNonconformists，andtodressitoutasalawofhumanprogressinthefuture。Now，nothingcanbepleasanterthanswimmingwiththestream；andwemightgladly，ifwecould，tryinourunsystematicwaytotakepartinlaboursatoncesophilosophicalandsopopular。ButwehavegotfixedinourmindsthatamorefullandharmoniousdevelopmentoftheirhumanityiswhattheNonconformistsmostwant，thatnarrowness，one—sidedness，andincompletenessiswhattheymostsufferfrom；inaword，thatinwhatwecallprovincialitytheyabound，butinwhatwemaycalltotalitytheyfallshort。
9AndtheyfallshortmorethanthemembersofEstablishments。Thegreatworksbywhich，notonlyinliterature，art，andsciencegenerally，butinreligionitself，thehumanspirithasmanifesteditsapproachestototalityandtoafull，harmoniousperfection，andbywhichitstimulatesandhelpsforwardtheworld’sgeneralperfection，come，notfromNonconformists，butfrommenwhoeitherbelongtoEstablishmentsorhavebeentrainedinthem。ANonconformistminister，theRev。EdwardWhite，whohaswrittenatemperateandwell—reasonedpamphletagainstChurchEstablishments，saysthat’theunendowedandunestablishedcommunitiesofEnglandexertfullasmuchmoralandennoblinginfluenceupontheconductofstatesmenasthatChurchwhichisbothestablishedandendowed。’Thatdependsuponwhatonemeansbymoralandennoblinginfluence。ThebelieverinmachinerymaythinkthattogetaGovernmenttoabolishChurch—ratesortolegalisemarriagewithadeceasedwife’ssisteristoexertamoralandennoblinginfluenceuponGovernment。Butaloverofperfection，wholookstoinwardripenessforthetruespringsofconduct，willsurelythinkthatasShakspearehasdonemorefortheinwardripenessofourstatesmenthanDr。Watts，andhas，therefore，donemoretomoraliseandennoblethem，soanEstablishmentwhichhasproducedHooker，Barrow，Butler，hasdonemoretomoraliseandennobleEnglishstatesmenandtheirconductthancommunitieswhichhaveproducedtheNonconformistdivines。ThefruitfulmenofEnglishPuritanismandNonconformityaremenwhoweretrainedwithinthepaleoftheEstablishment，——Milton，Baxter，Wesley。AgenerationortwooutsidetheEstablishment，andPuritanismproducesmenofnationalmarknomore。
Withthesamedoctrineanddiscipline，menofnationalmarkareproducedinScotland；butinanEstablishment。Withthesamedoctrineanddiscipline，menofnationalandevenEuropeanmarkareproducedinGermany，Switzerland，France；butinEstablishments。Onlytworeligiousdisciplinesseemexempted，orcomparativelyexempted，fromtheoperationofthelawwhichappearstoforbidtherearing，outsideofnationalChurches，ofmenofthehighestspiritualsignificance。ThesetwoaretheRomanCatholicandtheJewish。
Andthese，bothofthem，restonEstablishments，which，thoughnotindeednational，arecosmopolitan；andperhapshere，whattheindividualmandoesnotlosebytheseconditionsofhisrearing，thecitizen，andtheStateofwhichheisacitizenloses。
10What，now，canbethereasonofthisundeniableprovincialismoftheEnglishPuritansandProtestantNonconformists？Menofgeniusandcharacterarebornandrearedinthismediumasinanyother。
Fromthefaultsofthemasssuchmenwillalwaysbecomparativelyfree，andtheywillalwaysexciteourinterest；yetinthismediumtheyseemtohaveaspecialdifficultyinbreakingthroughwhatboundsthem，andindevelopingtheirtotality。Surelythereasonis，thattheNonconformistisnotincontactwiththemaincurrentofnationallife，likethememberofanEstablishment。Inamatterofsuchdeepandvitalconcernasreligion，thisseparationfromthemaincurrentofthenationallifehaspeculiarimportance。InthefollowingessaywehavediscussedatlengththetendencyinustoHebraise，aswecallit；thatis，tosacrificeallothersidesofourbeingtothereligiousside。Thistendencyhasitscauseinthedivinebeautyandgrandeurofreligion；andbearsaffectingtestimonytothem。Butwehaveseenthatithasdangersforus，wehaveseenthatitleadstoanarrowandtwistedgrowthofourreligioussideitself，andtoafailureinperfection。ButifwetendtoHebraiseeveninanEstablishment，withthemaincurrentofnationallifeflowingroundus，andremindingusinallwaysofthevarietyandfulnessofhumanexistence，——byaChurchwhichishistoricalastheStateitselfishistorical，andwhoseorder，ceremonies，andmonumentsreach，likethoseoftheState，farbeyondanyfanciesanddevisingsofours；andbyinstitutionssuchastheUniversities，formedtodefendandadvancethatverycultureandmany—sideddevelopmentwhichitisthedangerofHebraisingtomakeusneglect，——howmuchmoremustwetendtoHebraisewhenwelackthesepreventives。OnemaysaythattoberearedamemberofanationalChurchisinitselfalessonofreligiousmoderation，andahelptowardscultureandharmoniousperfection。Insteadofbawlingforhisownprivateformsforexpressingtheinexpressibleanddefiningtheundefinable，amantakesthosewhichhavecommendedthemselvesmosttothereligiouslifeofhisnation；andwhilehemaybesurethatwithinthoseformsthereligioussideofhisownnaturemayfinditssatisfaction，hehasleisureandcomposuretosatisfyothersidesofhisnatureaswell。
11ButwiththememberofaNonconformingorself—madereligiouscommunity，howdifferent！Thesectary’seigenegrosseErfindungen，asGoethecallsthem，——thepreciousdiscoveriesofhimselfandhisfriendsforexpressingtheinexpressibleanddefiningtheundefinableinpeculiarformsoftheirown，cannotbut，ashehasvoluntarilychosenthem，andispersonallyresponsibleforthem，fillhiswholemind。Heiszealoustodobattleforthemandaffirmthem；forinaffirmingthemheaffirmshimself，andthatiswhatwealllike。Othersidesofhisbeingarethusneglected，becausethereligiousside，alwaystendingineveryseriousmantopredominanceoverourotherspiritualsides，isinhimmadequiteabsorbingandtyrannousbytheconditionofself—assertionandchallengewhichhehaschosenforhimself。Andjustwhatisnotessentialinreligionhecomestomistakeforessential，andathousandtimesthemorereadilybecausehehaschosenitofhimself；andreligiousactivityhefanciestoconsistinbattlingforit。Allthisleaveshimlittleleisureorinclinationforculture；towhich，besides，hehasnogreatinstitutionsnotofhisownmaking，liketheUniversitiesconnectedwiththenationalChurchtoinvitehim；butonlysuchinstitutionsas，liketheorderanddisciplineofhisreligion，hemayhaveinventedforhimself，andinventedundertheswayofthenarrowandtyrannousnotionsofreligionfosteredinhimaswehaveseen。Thus，whileanationalestablishmentofreligionfavourstotality，hole—and—cornerformsofreligion（touseanexpressivepopularword）inevitablyfavourprovincialism。
12ButtheNonconformists，andmanyofourLiberalfriendsalongwiththem，haveaplausibleplanforgettingridofthisprovincialism，if，astheycanhardlyquitedeny，itexists。’Letusallbeinthesameboat，’theycry；’opentheUniversitiestoeverybody，andlettherebenoestablishmentofreligionatall！’OpentheUniversitiesbyallmeans；but，astothesecondpointaboutestablishment，letussifttheproposalalittle。Itdoesseematfirstalittlelikethatproposalofthefox，whohadlosthisowntail，toputalltheotherfoxesinthesamecasebyageneralcuttingoffoftails；andweknowthatmoralistshavedecidedthattherightcourseherewas，nottoadoptthisplausiblesuggestion，andcutofftailsallround，butratherthattheotherfoxesshouldkeeptheirtails，andthatthefoxwithoutatailshouldgetone。
Andsowemightbeinclinedtourge，that，tocuretheeviloftheNonconformists’
provincialism，therightwaycanhardlybetoprovincialiseusallround。
13However，perhapsweshallnotbeprovincialised。
ForMr。Whitesaysthatprobably，’whenallgoodmenalikeareplacedinaconditionofreligiousequality，andthewholecomplicatediniquityofGovernmentChurchpatronageissweptaway，moreofmoralandennoblinginfluencethaneverwillbebroughttobearupontheactionofstatesmen。’
14Wealreadyhaveanexampleofreligiousequalityinourcolonies。’Inthecolonies，’saysTheTimes，’weseereligiouscommunitiesunfetteredbyState—control，andtheStaterelievedfromoneofthemosttroublesomeandirritatingresponsibilities。’ButAmericaisthegreatexampleallegedbythosewhoareagainstestablishmentsforreligion。
Ourtopicatthismomentistheinfluenceofreligiousestablishmentsonculture；anditisremarkablethatMr。Bright，whohastakenlatelytorepresentinghimselfas，aboveall，apromoterofreasonandofthesimplenaturaltruthofthings，andhispolicyasafosteringofthegrowthofintelligence，——justtheaims，asiswellknown，ofculturealso，——Mr。Bright，inaspeechatBirminghamabouteducation，seizedontheverypointwhichseemstoconcernourtopic，whenhesaid：’IbelievethepeopleoftheUnitedStateshaveofferedtotheworldmorevaluableinformationduringthelastfortyyears，thanallEuropeputtogether。’SoAmerica，withoutreligiousestablishments，seemstogetaheadofusall，eveninlightandthethingsofthemind。
15Ontheotherhand，anotherfriendofreasonandthesimplenaturaltruthofthings，M。Renan，saysofAmerica，inabookhehasrecentlypublished，whatseemstoconflictviolentlywithwhatMr。Brightsays。Mr。BrightaversthatnotonlyhavetheUnitedStatesthusinformedEurope，buttheyhavedoneitwithoutagreatapparatusofhigherandscientificinstruction，andbydintofallclassesinAmericabeing’sufficientlyeducatedtobeabletoread，andtocomprehend，andtothink；andthat，Imaintain，isthefoundationofallsubsequentprogress。’
AndthencomesM。Renan，andsays：’Thesoundinstructionofthepeopleisaneffectofthehighcultureofcertainclasses。Thecountrieswhich，liketheUnitedStates，havecreatedaconsiderablepopularinstructionwithoutanyserioushigherinstruction，willlonghavetoexpiatethisfaultbytheirintellectualmediocrity，theirvulgarityofmanners，theirsuperficialspirit，theirlackofgeneralintelligence。’4
16Now，whichofthesetwofriendsoflightarewetobelieve？M。Renanseemsmoretohaveinviewwhatweourselvesmeanbyculture；becauseMr。Brightalwayshasinhiseyewhathecalls’acommendableinterest’inpoliticsandinpoliticalagitations。AshesaidonlytheotherdayatBirmingham：’Atthismoment，——infact，Imaysayateverymomentinthehistoryofafreecountry，——thereisnothingthatissomuchworthdiscussingaspolitics。’Andhekeepsrepeating，withallthepowersofhisnobleoratory，theoldstory，howtothethoughtfulnessandintelligenceofthepeopleofgreattownsweoweallourimprovementsinthelastthirtyyears，andhowtheseimprovementshavehithertoconsistedinParliamentaryreform，andfreetrade，andabolitionofChurchrates，andsoon；andhowtheyarenowabouttoconsistingettingridofminority—members，andinintroducingafreebreakfast—table，andinabolishingtheIrishChurchbythepoweroftheNonconformists’antipathytoestablishments，andmuchmoreofthesamekind。Andthoughourpauperismandignorance，andallthequestionswhicharecalledsocial，seemnowtobeforcingthemselvesuponhismind，yethestillgoesonwithhisglorifyingofthegreattowns，andtheLiberals，andtheiroperationsforthelastthirtyyears。Itneverseemstooccurtohimthatthepresenttroubledstateofoursociallifehasanythingtodowiththethirtyyears’blindworshipoftheirnostrumsbyhimselfandourLiberalfriends，orthatitthrowsanydoubtsuponthesufficiencyofthisworship。ButhethinksthatwhatisstillamissisduetothestupidityoftheTories，andwillbecuredbythethoughtfulnessandintelligenceofthegreattowns，andbytheLiberalsgoingongloriouslywiththeirpoliticaloperationsasbefore；orthatitwillcureitself。
SoweseewhatMr。Brightmeansbythoughtfulnessandintelligence，andinwhatmatter，accordingtohim，wearetogrowinthem。And，nodoubt，inAmericaallclassesreadtheirnewspaper，andtakeacommendableinterestinpolitics，morethanhereoranywhereelseinEurope。
17Butinthefollowingessaywehavebeenledtodoubtthesufficiencyofallthispoliticaloperating，pursuedmechanicallyasourracepursuesit；andwefoundthatgeneralintelligence，asM。Renancallsit，or，aswesay，attentiontothereasonofthings，wasjustwhatwewerewithout，andthatwewerewithoutitbecauseweworshippedourmachinerysodevoutly。Therefore，weconcludethatM。Renan，morethanMr。Bright，meansbyreasonandintelligencethesamethingaswedo。AndwhenM。RenansaysthatAmerica，thatchosenhomeofnewspapersandpolitics，iswithoutgeneralintelligence，wethinkitlikely，fromthecircumstancesofthecase，thatthisisso；andthatinthethingsofthemind，andincultureandtotality，America，insteadofsurpassingusall，fallsshort。
18And，——tokeeptoourpointoftheinfluenceofreligiousestablishmentsuponcultureandahighdevelopmentofourhumanity，——wecansurelyseereasonswhy，withallherenergyandfinegifts，Americadoesnotshowmoreofthisdevelopment，ormorepromiseofthis。InthefollowingessayitwillbeseenhowoursocietydistributesitselfintoBarbarians，Philistines，andPopulace；andAmericaisjustourselves，withtheBarbariansquiteleftout，andthePopulacenearly。
ThisleavesthePhilistinesforthegreatbulkofthenation；——aliveliersortofPhilistinethanours，andwiththepressureandfalseidealofourBarbarianstakenaway，butleftallthemoretohimselfandtohavehisfullswing。AndaswehavefoundthatthestrongestandmostvitalpartofEnglishPhilistinismwasthePuritanandHebraisingmiddle—class，andthatitsHebraisingkeepsitfromcultureandtotality，soitisnotoriousthatthepeopleoftheUnitedStatesissuesfromthisclass，andreproducesitstendencies，——itsnarrowconceptionofman’sspiritualrangeandofhisonethingneedful。FromMainetoFlorida，andbackagain，allAmericaHebraises。Difficultasitistospeakofapeoplemerelyfromwhatonereads，yetthat，Ithink，onemaywithoutmuchfearofcontradictionsay。
Imean，whenintheUnitedStatesanyspiritualsideinmaniswakenedtoactivity，itisgenerallythereligiousside，andthereligioussideinanarrowway。SocialreformersgotoMosesorSt。Paulfortheirdoctrines，andhavenonotionthereisanywhereelsetogoto；earnestyoungmenatschoolsanduniversities，insteadofconceivingsalvationasaharmoniousperfectiononlytobewonbyunreservedlycultivatingmanysidesinus，conceiveofitintheoldPuritanfashion，andflingthemselvesardentlyuponitintheold，falsewaysofthisfashion，whichweknowsowell，andsuchasMr。Hammond，theAmericanrevivalist，haslatelyatMr。Spurgeon’sTabernaclebeenrefreshingourmemorywith。
19Now，ifAmericathusHebraisesmorethaneitherEnglandorGermany，willanyonedenythattheabsenceofreligiousestablishmentshasmuchtodowithit？Wehaveseenhowestablishmentstendtogiveusasenseofahistoricallifeofthehumanspirit，outsideandbeyondourownfanciesandfeelings；howtheythustendtosuggestnewsidesandsympathiesinustocultivate；how，further，bysavingusfromhavingtoinventandfightforourownformsofreligion，theygiveusleisureandcalmtosteadyourviewofreligionitself，——themostoverpoweringofobjects，asitisthegrandest，——andtoenlargeourfirstcrudenotionsoftheonethingneedful。But，inaseriouspeople，whereeveryonehastochooseandstriveforhisownorderanddisciplineofreligion，thecontentionaboutthesenon—essentialsoccupieshismind。Hisfirstcrudenotionsabouttheonethingneedfuldonotgetpurged，andtheyinvadethewholespiritualmaninhim，andthen，makingasolitude，theycallitheavenlypeace。
20IrememberaNonconformistmanufacturer，inatownoftheMidlandcounties，tellingmethatwhenhefirstcamethere，someyearsago，theplacehadnoDissenters；buthehadopenedanIndependentchapelinit，andnowChurchandDissentwereprettyequallydivided，withsharpcontestsbetweenthem。Isaidthatthisseemedapity。’Apity？’
criedhe；’notatall！Onlythinkofallthezealandactivitywhichthecollisioncallsforth！’’Ah，but，mydearfriend，’Ianswered，’onlythinkofallthenonsensewhichyounowholdquitefirmly，whichyouwouldneverhaveheldifyouhadnotbeencontradictingyouradversaryinitalltheseyears！’Themoreseriousthepeople，andthemoreprominentthereligioussideinit，thegreateristhedangerofthisside，ifsettochooseoutformsforitselfandfightforexistence，swellingandspreadingtillitswallowsallotherspiritualsidesup，interceptsandabsorbsallnutrimentwhichshouldhavegonetothem，andleavesHebraismrampantinusandHellenismstampedout。
21Culture，andtheharmoniousperfectionofourwholebeing，andwhatwecalltotality，thenbecomequitesecondarymatters。Andeventheinstitutions，whichshoulddevelopthese，takethesamenarrowandpartialviewofhumanityanditswantsasthefreereligiouscommunitiestake。JustasthefreechurchesofMr。BeecherorBrotherNoyes，withtheirprovincialismandwantofcentrality，makemereHebraisersinreligion，andnotperfectmen，sotheuniversityofMr。EzraCornell，areallynoblemonumentofhismunificence，yetseemstorestonamisconceptionofwhatculturetrulyis，andtobecalculatedtoproduceminers，orengineers，orarchitects，notsweetnessandlight。
22And，therefore，whenMr。WhiteasksthesamekindofquestionaboutAmericathathehasaskedaboutEngland，andwantstoknowwhether，withoutreligiousestablishments，asmuchisnotdoneinAmericaforthehighernationallifeasisdoneforthatlifehere，weanswerinthesamewayaswedidbefore，thatasmuchisnotdone。BecausetoenableandstiruppeopletoreadtheirBibleandthenewspapers，andtogetapracticalknowledgeoftheirbusiness，doesnotservetothehigherspirituallifeofanationsomuchasculture，trulyconceived，serves；
andatrueconceptionofcultureis，asM。Renan’swordsshow，justwhatAmericafailsin。
23Tothemanywhothinkthatspirituality，andsweetness，andlight，areallmoonshine，thiswillnotappeartomattermuch；butwithus，whovaluethem，andwhothinkthatwehavetracedmuchofourpresentdiscomforttothewantofthem，itweighsagreatdeal。
SonotonlydowesaythattheNonconformistshavegotprovincialismandlosttotalitybythewantofareligiousestablishment，butwesaythattheveryexamplewhichtheybringforwardtohelptheircasemakesagainstthem；andthatwhentheytriumphantlyshowusAmericawithoutreligiousestablishments，theyonlyshowusawholenationtouched，amidstallitsgreatnessandpromise，withthatprovincialismwhichitisouraimtoextirpateintheEnglishNonconformists。
24Butnowtoevincethedisinterestednesswhichcultureteachesus。WehaveseenthenarrownessgeneratedinPuritanismbyitshole—and—cornerorganisation，andweproposetocureitbybringingPuritanismmoreintocontactwiththemaincurrentofnationallife。HerewearefullyatonewiththeDeanofWestminster；and，indeed，heandweweretrainedinthesameschooltomarkthenarrownessofPuritanism，andtowishtocureit。ButheandothersseemdisposedsimplytogivetothepresentAnglicanEstablishmentacharacterthemostlatitudinarian，asitiscalled，possible；availingthemselvesforthispurposeofthediversityoftendenciesanddoctrineswhichdoesundoubtedlyexistalreadyintheAnglicanformularies；andthentheywouldsaytothePuritans：’ComeallofyouintothisliberallyconceivedAnglicanEstablishment。’Buttosaythisishardly，perhaps，totakesufficientaccountofthecourseofhistory，orofthestrengthofmen’sfeelingsinwhatconcernsreligion，orofthegravitywhichmayhavecometoattachtopointsofreligiousorderanddisciplinemerely。WhenMr。Whitetalksof’sweepingawaythewholecomplicatediniquityofGovernmentChurchpatronage，’heuseslanguagewhichhasbeenforceduponhimbyhisposition，butwhichisdevoidofallrealsolidity。
Butwhenhetalksofthereligiouscommunities’whichhaveforthreehundredyearscontendedforthepowerofthecongregationinthemanagementoftheirownaffairs，’thenhetalkshistory；andhislanguagehasbehindit，inmyopinion，factswhichmakethelatitudinarianismofourBroadChurchmenquiteillusory。
25Certainly，culturewillnevermakeusthinkitanessentialofreligionwhetherwehaveinourChurchdiscipline’apopularauthorityofelders，’asHookercallsit，orwhetherwehaveEpiscopaljurisdiction。Certainly，Hookerhimselfdidnotthinkitanessential；
forinthededicationofhisEcclesiasticalPolity，speakingofthesequestionsofchurch—disciplinewhichgaveoccasiontohisgreatwork，hesaystheyare’intruth，forthegreatestpart，suchsillythings，thatveryeasinessdothmakethemhardtobedisputedofinseriousmanner。’
Hooker’sgreatworkagainsttheimpugnersoftheorderanddisciplineoftheChurchofEnglandwaswritten（andthisistooindistinctlyseizedbymanywhoreadit），notbecauseEpiscopalianismisessential，butbecauseitsimpugnersmaintainedthatPresbyterianismisessential，andthatEpiscopalianismissinful。Neithertheonenortheotheriseitheressentialorsinful，andmuchmaybesaidonbehalfofboth。Butwhatisimportanttoberemarkedis，thatbothwereintheChurchofEnglandattheReformation，andthatPresbyterianismwasonlyextrudedgradually。WehavementionedHooker，andnothingbetterillustrateswhathasjustbeenassertedthanthefollowingincidentinHooker’sowncareer，whicheveryonehasread，foritisrelatedinIsaacWalton’sLifeofHooker，butofwhich，probably，thesignificancehasbeenfullygraspedbyveryfewofthosewhohavereadit。
26HookerwasthroughtheinfluenceofArchbishopWhitgiftappointed，in1585，MasteroftheTemple；butagreatefforthadfirstbeenmadetoobtaintheplaceforaMr。WalterTravers，wellknowninthatday，thoughnowitisHooker’snamewhichalonepreserveshis。
ThisTraverswasthenafternoon—lecturerattheTemple。TheMasterwhosedeathmadethevacancy，Alvey，recommendedonhisdeathbedTraversforhissuccessor。TheSocietywasfavourabletoTravers，andhehadthesupportoftheLordTreasurerBurghley。AlthoughHookerwasappointedtotheMastership，Traversremainedafternoon—lecturer，andcombatedintheafternoonsthedoctrinewhichHookerpreachedinthemornings。Now，thisTravers，originallyaFellowofTrinityCollege，Cambridge，afterwardsafternoon—lecturerattheTemple，recommendedfortheMastershipbytheforegoingMasterwhoseopinions，itissaid，agreedwithhis，favouredbytheSocietyoftheTempleandsupportedbythePrimeMinister，——thisTraviswasnotanEpiscopallyordainedclergymanatall。HewasaPresbyterian，apartisanoftheGenevachurch—discipline，asitwasthencalled，and’hadtakenorders，’saysWalton，’bythePresbytersinAntwerp。’InanotherplaceWaltonspeaksofhisordersyetmorefully：——’Hehaddisowned，’hesays，’theEnglishEstablishedChurchandEpiscopacy，andwenttoGeneva；andafterwardstoAntwerp，tobeordainedminister，ashewasbyVillersandCartwrightandotherstheheadsofacongregationthere；andsocamebackagainmoreconfirmedforthediscipline。’VillersandCartwrightareinlikemannerexamplesofPresbyterianismwithintheChurchofEngland，whichwascommonenoughatthattime。ButperhapsnothingcanbettergiveusalivelysenseofitspresencetherethanthishistoryofTravers，whichisasifMr。Binneywerenow5afternoon—readeratLincoln’sInnortheTemple；weretobeacandidate，favouredbytheBenchersandbythePrimeMinister，fortheMastership；andwereonlykeptoutofthepostbytheaccidentoftheArchbishopofCanterbury’sinfluencewiththeQueencarryingarivalcandidate。
27Presbyterianism，withitspopularprincipleofthepowerofthecongregationinthemanagementoftheirownaffairswasextrudedfromtheChurchofEngland，andmenlikeTraverscannolongerappearinherpulpits。PerhapsifagovernmentlikethatofElizabeth，withsecularstatesmenliketheCecils，andecclesiasticalstatesmenlikeWhitgift，couldhavebeenprolonged，Presbyterianismmight，byawisemixtureofconcessionandfirmness，havebeenabsorbedintheEstablishment。LordBolingbroke，onamatterofthiskindaveryclear—judgingandimpartialwitness，says，inaworkfartoolittleread，hisRemarksonEnglishHistory：——’ThemeasurespursuedandthetemperobservedinQueenElizabeth’stimetendedtodiminishthereligiousoppositionbyaslow，agentle，andforthatveryreasonaneffectualprogression。TherewasevenroomtohopethatwhenthefirstfireoftheDissenters’zealwaspassed，reasonabletermsofunionwiththeEstablishedChurchmightbeacceptedbysuchofthemaswerenotintoxicatedwithfanaticism。Thesewerefriendstoorder，thoughtheydisputedaboutit。IfthesefriendsofCalvin’sdisciplinehadbeenonceincorporatedwiththeEstablishedChurch，theremainingsectarieswouldhavebeenoflittlemoment，eitherfornumbersorreputation；andtheverymeanswhichwerepropertogainthesefriendswerelikewisethemosteffectualtohindertheincreaseofthem，andoftheothersectariesinthemeantime。’ThetemperandilljudgmentoftheStuartsmadeshipwreckofallpolicyofthiskind。YetspeakingevenofthetimeoftheStuarts，buttheirearlytime，ClarendonsaysthatifBishopAndreweshadsucceededBancroftatCanterbury，thedisaffectionofseparatistsmighthavebeenstayedandhealed。This，however，wasnottobe；andPresbyterianism，afterexercisingforsomeyearsthelawofthestrongest，itselfinCharlestheSecond’sreignsufferedunderthislaw，andwasfinallycastoutfromtheChurchofEngland。
28Nowthepointsofchurch—disciplineatissuebetweenPresbyterianismandEpiscopalianismare，ashasbeensaid，notessential。TheymightprobablyoncehavebeensettledinasensealtogetherfavourabletoEpiscopalianism。Hookermayhavebeenrightinthinkingthattherewereinhistimecircumstanceswhichmadeitessentialthattheyshouldbesettledinthissense，thoughthepointsinthemselveswerenotessential。Butbytheveryfactofthesettlementnothavingthenbeeneffected，ofthebreachhavinggoneonandwidened，oftheNonconformistsnothavingbeenamicablyincorporatedwiththeEstablishmentbutviolentlycastoutfromit，thecircumstancesarenowaltogetheraltered。IsaacWalton，aferventChurchman，complainsthat’theprinciplesoftheNonconformistsgrewatlasttosuchaheightandwereventedsodaringly，that，besidethelossoflifeandlimbs，theChurchandStatewerebothforcedtousesuchotherseveritiesaswillnotadmitofanexcuse，ifithadnotbeentopreventconfusionandtheperilousconsequencesofit。’ButthoseveryseveritieshaveofthemselvesmadeuniononanEpiscopalianfootingimpossible。
Besides，Presbyterianism，thepopularauthorityofelders，thepowerofthecongregationinthemanagementoftheirownaffairs，hasthatwarrantgiventoitbyScriptureandbytheproceedingsoftheearlyChristianChurches，itissoconsonantwiththespiritofProtestantismwhichmadetheReformationandwhichhasgreatstrengthinthiscountry，itissopredominantinthepracticeofotherReformedChurches，itwassostrongintheoriginalReformedChurchofEngland，thatonecannothelpdoubtingwhetheranysettlementwhichsuppresseditcouldhavebeenreallypermanent，andwhetheritwouldnothavekeptappearingagainandagain，andcausingdissension。
29Well，then，ifcultureisthedisinterestedendeavourafterman’sperfection，willitnotmakeuswishtocuretheprovincialismoftheNonconformists，notbyrenderingChurchmenprovincialalongwiththem，butbylettingtheirpopularChurch—discipline，formerlypresentinthenationalChurchandstillpresentintheaffectionsandpracticeofaGoodpartofthenation，appearinthenationalChurchoncemore；andthustobringNonconformistsintocontactagain，astheirgreaterfatherswere，withthemainstreamofnationallife？WhyshouldnotaPresbyterianChurch，basedonthisconsiderableandimportantthoughnotessentialprinciple，ofthecongregationalshareinthechurch—management，beestablished，——withequalrankforitschiefswiththechiefsofEpiscopacy，andwithadmissibilityofitsministers，underarevisedsystemofpatronageandprefermenttobenefices，——sidebysidewiththeEpiscopalChurch，astheCalvinistandLutheranChurchesareestablishedsidebysideinFranceandGermany？SuchaPresbyterianChurchwouldunitethemainbodiesofProtestantswhoarenowseparatists；andseparationwouldceasetobethelawoftheirreligiousorder。Andthus，——throughthisconcessiononareallyconsiderablepointofdifference，——thatendlesssplittingintohole—and—cornerchurchesonquiteinconsiderablepointsofdifference，whichmustprevailsolongasseparatismisthefirstlawofaNonconformist’sreligiousexistence，wouldbechecked。CulturewouldthenfindaplaceamongEnglishfollowersofthepopularauthorityofElders，asithaslongfounditamongthefollowersofEpiscopaljurisdiction。Andthisweshouldgainbymerelyrecognising，regularizing，andrestoringanelementwhichappearedonceinthereformednationalChurch，andwhichisconsiderableandnationalenoughtohaveasoundclaimtoappeartherestill。
30Sofar，then，isculturefrommakingusunjusttotheNonconformistsbecauseitforbidsustoworshiptheirfetishes，thatitevenleadsustoproposetodomoreforthemthantheythemselvesventuretoclaim。Itleadsus，also，torespectwhatissolidandrespectableintheirconvictions。Notthattheformsinwhichthehumanspirittriestoexpresstheinexpressible，ortheformsbywhichmantriestoworship，haveorcanhave，ashasbeensaid，forthefollowerofperfection，anythingnecessaryoreternal。IftheNewTestamentandthepracticeoftheprimitiveChristianssanctionedthepopularformofchurch—governmentathousandtimesmoreexpresslythantheydo，iftheChurchsinceConstantinewereathousandtimesmoreofadeparturefromtheschemeofprimitiveChristianitythanitcanbeshowntobe，thatdoesnotatallmake，asissupposedbymeninbondagetotheletter，thepopularformofchurch—governmentaloneandalwayssacredandbinding，ortheworkofConstantineathingtoberegretted。
31Whatisaloneandalwayssacredandbindingformanisthemakingprogresstowardshistotalperfection；andthemachinerybywhichhedoesthisvariesinvalueaccordingasithelpshimtodoit。
TheplantersofChristianityhadtheirrootsindeepandrichgroundsofhumanlifeandachievement，bothJewishandalsoGreek；andhadthusacomparativelyfirmandwidebasisamidstallthevehementinspirationoftheirmightymovementandchange。Bytheirstronginspirationtheycarriedmenofftheoldbasisoflifeandculture，whetherJewishorGreek，andgenerationsarosewhohadtheirrootsinneitherworld，andwereincontactthereforewithnofullandgreatstreamofhumanlife。Ifithadnotbeenforsomesuchchangeasthatofthefourthcentury，Christianitymighthavelostitselfinamultitudeofhole—and—cornerchurcheslikethechurchesofEnglishNonconformityafteritsfoundersdeparted；churcheswithoutgreatmen，andwithoutfurtheranceforthehigherlifeofhumanity。AtacriticalmomentcameConstantine，andplacedChristianity，——orletusrathersay，placedthehumanspirit，whosetotalitywasendangered，——incontactwiththemaincurrentofhumanlife。Andhisworkwasjustifiedbyitsfruits，inmenlikeAugustineandDante，andindeedinallthegreatmenofChristianity，CatholicsorProtestants，eversince。
32Andonemaygobeyondthis。M。AlbertRé；ville，whosereligiouswritingsarealwaysinteresting，saysthattheconceptionwhichcultivatedandphilosophicalJewsnowentertainofChristianityanditsFounder，isprobablydestinedtobecometheconceptionwhichChristiansthemselveswillentertain。SociniansarefondofsayingthesamethingabouttheSocinianconceptionofChristianity。Now，evenifthisweretrue，itwouldstillhavebeenbetterforaman，duringthelasteighteenhundredyears，tohavebeenaChristianandamemberofoneofthegreatChristiancommunions，thantohavebeenaJeworaSocinian；becausethebeingincontactwiththemainstreamofhumanlifeisofmoremomentforaman’stotalspiritualgrowth，andforhisbringingtoperfectionthegiftscommittedtohim，whichishisbusinessonearth，thananyspeculativeopinionwhichhemayholdorthinkheholds。Luther，——whomwehavecalledaPhilistineofgenius，andwho，becausehewasaPhilistine，hadacoarsenessandlackofspiritualdelicacywhichhaveharmedhisdisciples，butwho，becausehewasagenius，hadsplendidflashesofspiritualinsight，——LuthersaysadmirablyinhisCommentaryontheBookofDaniel：’AGodissimplythatwhereonthehumanheartrestswithtrust，faith，hope，andlove。Iftherestingisright，thentheGodtooisright；iftherestingiswrong，thentheGodtooisillusory。’Inotherwords，theworthofwhatamanthinksaboutGodandtheobjectsofreligiondependsonwhatthemanis；
andwhatthemanis，dependsuponhishavingmoreorlessreachedthemeasureofaperfectandtotalman。
33Culture，disinterestedlyseekinginitsaimatperfectiontoseethingsastheyreallyare，showsushowworthyanddivineathingisthereligioussideinman，thoughitisnotthewholeofman。Butwhilerecognisingthegrandeurofthereligioussideinman，cultureyetmakesusalsoeschewaninadequateconceptionofman’stotality。
Thereforetotheworthandgrandeurofthereligioussideinman，cultureisrejoicedandwillingtopayanytribute，exceptthetributeofman’stotality。Unlessitisprovedthatcontactwiththemaincurrentofnationallifeisofnovalue（andwehaveshownthatitisofthegreatestvalue），wecannotsafely，eventopleasetheNonconformistsinamatterwherewewouldpleasethemasmuchaspossible，admittheirdoctrinesofdisestablishmentandseparation。
34Culture，again，canbedisinterestedenoughtoperceiveandavow，thatforIrelandtheendsofhumanperfectionmightbebestservedbyestablishing，——thatis，bybringingintocontactwiththemaincurrentofthenationallife，——theRomanCatholicandthePresbyterianChurchesalongwiththeAnglicanChurch。Itcanperceiveandavowthatweshouldreally，inthisway，beworkingtomakereasonandthewillofGodprevail；becauseweshouldbemakingRomanCatholicsbettercitizens，andbothProtestantsandRomanCatholicslarger—mindedandmorecompletemen。Undoubtedlytherearegreatdifficultiesinsuchaplanasthis；andtheplanisnotonewhichlooksverylikelytobeadopted；TheChurchmanmustriseabovehisordinaryselfinordertofavourit。AndtheNonconformisthasworshippedhisfetishofseparatismsolongthatheislikelytowishtoremain，likeEphraim，’awildassalonebyhimself。’Itisaplanmoreforatimeofcreativestatesmen，likethetimeofElizabeth，thanforatimeofinstrumentalstatesmenlikethepresent。Thecentreofpowerbeingwhereitis，ourstatesmenhaveeverytemptation，whentheymustact，togoalongastheydowiththeordinaryselfofthoseonwhosefavourtheydepend，toadoptastheirownitsdesires，andtoservethemwithfidelity，andeven，ifpossible，withardour。Thisisthemoreeasyforthem，becausetherearenotwanting，——andthereneverwillbewanting，——thinkerstocallthedesiresoftheordinaryselfofanygreatsectionofthecommunityedictsofthenationalmindandlawsofhumanprogress，andtogivethemageneral，aphilosophic，andimposingexpression。ThereforeaplansuchasthatwhichwehaveindicateddoesnotseemaplansolikelytofindfavourasaplanforabolishingtheIrishChurchbythepoweroftheNonconformists’
antipathytoestablishments。
35Butalthoughculturemakesusfondstickerstonomachinery，notevenourown，andthereforewearewillingtograntthatperfectioncanbereachedwithoutit，——withfreechurchesaswithestablishedchurches，andwithinstrumentalstatesmenaswithcreativestatesmen，——yetperfectioncanneverbereachedwithoutseeingthingsastheyreallyare；anditistothis，therefore，andtonomachineryintheworld，thatwestick。Weinsistthatmenshouldnotmistake，astheyarepronetomistake，theirnaturaltasteforthebathosforarelishforthesublime。Andifstatesmen，eitherwiththeirtongueintheircheekorwithafineimpulsiveness，tellpeoplethattheirnaturaltasteforthebathosisarelishforthesublime，thereisthemoreneedtotellthemthecontrary。
36Itisdelusiononthispointwhichisfatal，andagainstdelusiononthispointcultureworks。ItisnotfataltoourLiberalfriendstolabourforfreetrade，extensionofthesuffrage，andabolitionofchurch—rates，insteadofgraversocialends；butitisfataltothemtobetoldbytheirflatterers，andtobelieve，withoursocialconditionwhatitis，thattheyhaveperformedagreat，aheroicwork，byoccupyingthemselvesexclusively，forthelastthirtyyears，withtheseLiberalnostrums，andthattherightandgoodcourseforthemnowistogoonoccupyingthemselveswiththelikeforthefuture。ItisnotfataltoAmericanstohavenoreligiousestablishmentsandnoeffectivecentresofhighculture；butitisfataltothemtobetoldbytheirflatterers，andtobelieve，thattheyarethemostintelligentpeopleinthewholeworld，whenofintelligence，inthetrueandfruitfulsenseoftheword，theyevensingularly，aswehaveseen，comeshort。ItisnotfataltotheNonconformiststoremainwiththeirseparatedchurches；butitisfataltothemtobetoldbytheirflatterers，andtobelieve，thattheirsistheonetruewayofworshippingGod，thatprovincialismandlossoftotalityhavenotcometothemfromfollowingit，orthatprovincialismandlossoftotalityarenotevils。ItisnotfataltotheEnglishnationtoabolishtheIrishChurchbythepoweroftheNonconformists’antipathytoestablishments；
butitisfataltoittobetoldbyitsflatterers，andtobelieve，thatitisabolishingitthroughreasonandjustice，whenitisreallyabolishingitthroughthispower：ortoexpectthefruitsofreasonandjusticefromanythingbutthespiritofreasonandjusticethemselves。
37Nowculture，becauseofitskeensenseofwhatisreallyfatal，isallthemoredisposedtoberatherindifferentaboutwhatisnotfatal。Andbecausemachineryistheoneconcernofouractualpolitics，andaninwardworking，andnotmachinery，iswhatwemostwant，wekeepadvisingourardentyoungLiberalfriendstothinklessofmachinery，tostandmorealooffromthearenaofpoliticalpresent，andrathertotryandpromote，withus，aninwardworking。Theydonotlistentous，andtheyrushintothearenaofpolitics，wheretheirmerits，indeed，seemtobelittleappreciatedasyet；andthentheycomplainofthereformedconstituencies，andcallthenewParliamentaPhilistineParliament。Asifanation，nourishedandrearedasourshasbeen，couldgiveus，justyet，anythingbutaPhilistineParliament！——andwouldaBarbarianParliamentbeevensogood，oraPopulaceParliament？Forourpart，werejoicetoseeourdearoldfriends，theHebraisingPhilistines，gatheredinforceintheValleyofJehoshaphatprevioustotheirfinalconversion，whichwillcertainlycome。But，toattainthisconversion，wemustnottrytooustthemfromtheirplacesandtocontendformachinerywiththem，butwemustworkontheminwardlyandcuretheirspirit。Oustedtheywillnotbe，buttransformed。Oustedtheydonotdeservetobe，andwillnotbe。
38ForthedaysofIsraelareinnumerable；
andinitsblameofHebraisingtoo，andinitspraiseofHellenisingculturemustnotfailtokeepitsflexibility，andtogivetoitsjudgmentsthatpassingandprovisionalcharacterwhichwehaveseenitimposeonitspreferencesandrejectionsofmachinery。Now，andforus，itisatimetoHellenise，andtopraiseknowing；forwehaveHebraisedtoomuch，andhaveover—valueddoing。ButthehabitsanddisciplinereceivedfromHebraismremainforourraceaneternalpossession；and，ashumanityisconstituted，onemustneverassigntothemthesecondrankto—day，withoutbeingpreparedtorestoretothemthefirstrankto—morrow。Letusconcludebymarkingthisdistinctly。
39Towalkstaunchlybythebestlightonehas，tobestrictandsincerewithoneself，nottobeofthenumberofthosewhosayanddonot，tobeinearnest，——thisisthedisciplinebywhichalonemanisenabledtorescuehislifefromthraldomtothepassingmomentandtohisbodilysenses，toennobleit，andtomakeiteternal。AndthisdisciplinehasbeennowheresoeffectivelytaughtasintheschoolofHebraism。
TheintenseandconvincedenergywithwhichtheHebrew，bothoftheOldandoftheNewTestament，threwhimselfuponhisidealofrighteousness，andwhichinspiredtheincomparabledefinitionofthegreatChristianvirtue，faith，——thesubstanceofthingshopedfor，theevidenceofthingsnotseen，——thisenergyofdevotiontoitsidealhasbelongedtoHebraismalone。Asourideaofperfectionwidensbeyondthenarrowlimitstowhichtheover—rigourofHebraisinghastendedtoconfineit，weshallyetcomeagaintoHebraismforthatdevoutenergyinembracingourideal，whichalonecangivetomanthehappinessofdoingwhatheknows。’Ifyeknowthesethings，happyareyeifyedothem！’——thelastwordforinfirmhumanitywillalwaysbethat。Forthisword，reiteratedwithapowernowsublime，nowaffecting，butalwaysadmirable，ourracewill，aslongastheworldlasts，returntoHebraism；andtheBible，whichpreachesthisword，willforeverremain，asGoethecalledit，notonlyanationalbook，buttheBookoftheNations。Againandagain，afterwhatseemedbreachesandseparations，thepropheticpromisetoJerusalemwillstillbetrue：——Lo，thysonscome，whomthousentestaway；theycomegatheredfromthewestuntotheeastbythewordoftheHolyOne，rejoicingintheremembranceofGod。UTEL：CultureandAnarchyINTRODUCTION
1Inoneofhisspeechesashorttimeago，thatfinespeakerandfamousLiberal，Mr。Bright，tookoccasiontohaveaflingatthefriendsandpreachersofculture。’Peoplewhotalkaboutwhattheycallculture！’saidhecontemptuously；’bywhichtheymeanasmatteringofthetwodeadlanguagesofGreekandLatin。’Andhewentontoremark，inastrainwithwhichmodernspeakersandwritershavemadeusveryfamiliar，howpoorathingthiscultureis，howlittlegooditcandototheworld，andhowabsurditisforitspossessorstosetmuchstorebyit。AndtheotherdayayoungerLiberalthanMr。Bright，oneofaschoolwhosemissionitistobringintoorderandsystemthatbodyoftruthwithwhichtheearlierLiberalsmerelyfumbled，amemberoftheUniversityofOxford，andaverycleverwriter，Mr。FredericHarrison，developed，inthesystematicandstringentmannerofhisschool，thethesiswhichMr。Brighthadpropoundedinonlygeneralterms。’Perhapstheverysilliestcantoftheday，’saidMr。FredericHarrison，’isthecantaboutculture。Cultureisadesirablequalityinacriticofnewbooks，andsitswellonapossessorofbelleslettres；butasappliedtopolitics，itmeanssimplyaturnforsmallfault—finding，loveofselfishease，andindecisioninaction。Themanofcultureisinpoliticsoneofthepoorestmortalsalive。Forsimplepedantryandwantofgoodsensenomanishisequal。Noassumptionistoounreal，noendistoounpracticalforhim。Buttheactiveexerciseofpoliticsrequirescommonsense，sympathy，trust，resolutionandenthusiasm，qualitieswhichyourmanofculturehascarefullyrootedup，lesttheydamagethedelicacyofhiscriticalolfactories。Perhapstheyaretheonlyclassofresponsiblebeingsinthecommunitywhocannotwithsafetybeentrustedwithpower。’
2NowformypartIdonotwishtoseemenofcultureaskingtobeentrustedwithpower；and，indeed，Ihavefreelysaid，thatinmyopinionthespeechmostproper，atpresent，foramanofculturetomaketoabodyofhisfellow—countrymenwhogethimintoacommittee—room，isSocrates’s：Knowthyself！andthisisnotaspeechtobemadebymenwantingtobeentrustedwithpower。ForthisveryindifferencetodirectpoliticalactionIhavebeentakentotaskbytheDailyTelegraph，coupled，byastrangeperversityoffate，withjustthatveryoneoftheHebrewprophetswhosestyleIadmiretheleast，andcalled’anelegantJeremiah。’ItisbecauseIsay（tousethewordswhichtheDailyTelegraphputsinmymouth）：——’Youmustn’tmakeafussbecauseyouhavenovote，——thatisvulgarity；youmustn’tholdbigmeetingstoagitateforreformbillsandtorepealcornlaws，——thatistheveryheightofvulgarity，’——itisforthisreasonthatIamcalled，sometimesanelegantJeremiah，sometimesaspuriousJeremiah，aJeremiahabouttherealityofwhosemissionthewriterintheDailyTelegraphhashisdoubts。Itisevident，therefore，thatIhavesotakenmylineasnottobeexposedtothewholebruntofMr。FredericHarrison’scensure。