JO2 Contemporary Evolution. 



rival, and by which the influence of pagan schools was 

 successfully combated in former times. 



With the revoluntary changes here supposed once intro- 

 duced, all the causes of the present popular antipathy to 

 Christianity would be removed, except those resulting 

 from fear of the attractive influences of its morality, and 

 from the possible prevalence of an anti-Christian phi- 

 losophy, the action of which will be considered in the next 

 chapter. 



The disorders springing from a general relaxation of 

 sexual morality can hardly fail to give rise to a reaction 

 in favour of Christian ethics on the part of an increasing 

 portion of the population, if only through the gradual 

 extinction by natural decay of the families of the most 

 sexually vicious. 



The abolition of religious orders must cease when once 

 individual liberty for citizens begins to assert itself, since 

 citizens cannot be free if they are not permitted by their 

 fellow-citizens to live peaceably together in voluntary 

 associations, eating, dressing, and reading according to 

 their pleasure, as long as they limit not the similar rights 

 of others. 



But even before the introduction of such common indi- 

 vidual freedom, it is almost impossible for the most 

 tyrannical State to interfere with the practice of the 

 evangelical counsels voluntary poverty, chastity, and 

 obedience. Each successive great epoch of the Church 



