Three Ideals. 125 



part ceased to oppress the poor, but they retained the property 

 which had been the visible symbol of oppression, and they suffered 

 not so much for what they did. as for what they had. The drift of 

 contemporary legislation promises to set the Church entirely free 

 from a similar danger. She will no longer wear the livery of the 

 secular powers from whom she has parted company. There will be 

 nothing in her aspect to remind her enemies of her ancient wealth 

 or of her ancient grandeur. Besides this, the foe from whom she 

 has most to fear is certain to make itself many adversaries, and 

 every one of these adversaries will be a possible ally of the Church. 

 The form of despotism which is most in favour at present, and 

 most likely to become stronger in the immediate future, is the 

 despotism of a highly centralised State. Communities surrender 

 their freedom in return for unity and strength at home, and pres- 

 tige abroad. For a time all goes on smoothly, and the subjects of 

 the State are never tired of contemplating the system which they 

 have themselves helped to build up. By-and-by these very same 

 people begin to feel oppressed by their own creation. Resisting 

 minorities start up in all directions ; and the more resolutely they 

 are put down, the more disposed they are to make common cause 

 with all who share their slavery and their desire for emancipation. 

 The Roman Catholic Church will have singular advantages in deal- 

 ing with this temper. Its soldiers will have nothing to lose. If 

 they die in the conflict, they leave no children to suffer from the 

 loss of a father. Wherever their services are needed a subsistence 

 is secured to them, and the enthusiasm which springs up in the 

 field soon learns to desire nothing more. Under changed names 

 and new conditions the Church will once more appear on the side 

 of the weak against the strong, of the poor against the rich, of 

 individual liberty against a tyrannical system. These are strong 

 titles to democratic support, and though the sympathies of the 

 democracy are at present on the side of the State, which they hope 

 hereafter to mould at their pleasure, against the Church, which they 

 cannot mould at all, the situation may undergo a radical change it 

 the State becomes the inflexible and the Church the most flexible 

 element in modern x society. 



