124 THE RECONCILIATION. 



there is a soul of truth. Through the gross body of dogmas 

 traditions and rites which contain it, it is always visible — 

 dimly or clearly as the case may be. This it is which gives 

 vitality even to the rudest creed; this it is which survives 

 every modification; and this it is which we must not forget 

 when condemning the forms under which it is present- 

 ed. The second of these cardinal facts, set forth at 

 length in the foregoing section, is, that while those concrete 

 elements in which each creed embodies this soul of truth, 

 are bad as measured by an absolute standard, they are good 

 as measured by a relative standard. Though from higher 

 perceptions they hide the abstract verity within them; yet 

 to lower perceptions they render this verity more appreciable 

 than it would otherwise be. They serve to make real and in- 

 fluential over men, that which would else be unreal and un- 

 influential. Or we may call them the protective envelopes, 

 without which the contained truth would die. The 

 remaining cardinal fact is, that these various beliefs are 

 parts of the constituted order of things; and not accidental 

 but necessary parts. Seeing how one or other of them is 

 everywhere present ; is of perennial growth ; and when cut 

 down, redevelopes in a form but slightly modified; we 

 cannot avoid the inference that they are neeedful accom- 

 paniments of human life, severally fitted to the societies in 

 which they are indigenous. From the highest point of 

 view, we must recognize them as elements in that great evo- 

 lution of which the beginning and end are beyond our 

 knowledge or conception — as modes of manifestation of The 

 Unknowable ; and as having this for their warrant. 



Our toleration therefore should be the widest possible. 

 Or rather, we should aim at something beyond toleration, as 

 commonly understood. In dealing with alien beliefs, our 

 endeavour must be, not simply to refrain from injustice of 

 word or deed; but also to do justice by an open recognition 

 of positive worth. We must qualify our disagreement with 

 as much as may be of sympathy. 



