Political Evolution. 47 



fest that Christianity must be thus profoundly modified 

 or entirely destroyed, unless it contains latent powers and 

 capacities calculated to meet such attacks and provide 

 for such trials. If, however, Christianity does contain 

 such powers in a high degree, it is evident that resurg- 

 ing paganism may but be the occasion for the outward 

 manifestation of such latent capacities, and that to its 

 hostile action Christianity may be indebted for the most 

 startling and prodigious of its triumphs. 



To investigate, then, the question whether Christianity 

 is likely to be utterly destroyed, or more or less enfeebled, 

 or slightly or greatly strengthened by the further develop- 

 ment of the naturalistic movement, we must examine 

 that movement in its (i) POLITICAL, (2) SCIENTIFIC, and 

 (3) PHILOSOPHIC aspects. 



The questions of the effects of contemporary scientific 

 and philosophic evolution on Christianity may be deferred 

 to succeeding chapters. Here it is proposed to consider 

 CHRISTIANITY AND POLITICAL EVOLUTION only. 



Some of the political effects of the further development, 

 in our own day and hereafter, of the humanistic Renais- 

 sance were briefly indicated in the first chapter,* but as 

 a necessary groundwork for estimating the future, it will 

 be well here to begin with a somewhat fuller though brief 

 survey of past and present socio-political changes. 



* Page 29. 



