OF THE SPIRIT. 319 



macher's conception of religion as a matter of feeling, as 

 the spiritual sensation of absolute dependence. Students 

 of theology, such as Strauss and Zeller, who sat under 

 Hegel as well as under Schleiermacher, did not acquire 

 from the latter the genuine and deeper psychological in- 

 terest, but were stirred by another original element in 

 Schleiermacher's teaching. For, as I have had occasion 

 to state already,^ Schleiermacher was one of the first 

 brilliant representatives of the critical school of biblical 

 research, as he was also one of the first critical students 

 of ancient philosophy. And, indeed, it was mainly in 

 the direction of historical studies that Schleiermacher's 

 influence made itself felt in philosophical circles : the 

 two pioneers in the history of philosophy, Heinrich 

 Flitter and Chr. A. Brandis, coming from his school. 



Be this as it may, it is not doubtful that in the 

 history of philosophic thought the first beginnings of a 

 more adequate treatment of the religious problem are 

 to be found in Schleiermacher's writings. 



In these were combined three distinct conceptions 30. 



Three 



which have since been worked out with greater clearness distinct 



conceptions. 



and from many sides. First, the conception of a divine 

 or moral as distinct from the existing natural order ; 

 second, the conviction that this can only be reached and 

 realised through the combined work of individual minds 

 in human society ; and third, that it is being histori- 

 cally accomplished in the Christian community or church 

 with its Founder as its centre and as its realised ideal of 

 perfect goodness. 



In the further development of religious philosophy 



^ See supra, vol. iii, pp. 166, 168 n. 



