SOCIAL RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE 467 



has not only unsettled old beliefs, but has revolutionized the con- 

 ditions of life and transformed civilization. 



There has arisen the necessity of reconstruction, not only in relig- 

 ion and ethics and philosophy, but also in industry, in politics, and 

 in society. In each of these great divisions of thought and life more 

 or less reconstruction has already taken place; and enough progress 

 has been made to reveal a tendency toward larger generalization 

 a feeling after some synthesis vast enough to coordinate all into one 

 comprehending whole. That something after which many are 

 groping to-day is the kingdom of heaven, which John Bascom says 

 is " the true synthesis of the universe of God, physical and spiritual." 

 This is the 



"... one far-off divine event, 



To which the whole creation moves ; " 



and its final consummation will be the new heavens and the new 

 earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. 



