106 The Destiny of Man. 



fool withal. But I think Victor Hugo un- 

 derstood the capabilities of human nature, 

 and its real dignity, much better than these 

 scoffers. In a low stage of civilization 

 Monseigneur Bienvenu would have had 

 small chance of reaching middle life. 

 Christ himself, we remember, was cruci- 

 fied between two thieves. It is none the 

 less true that when once the degree of 

 civilization is such as to allow this high- 

 est type of character, distinguished by its 

 meekness and kindness, to take root and 

 thrive, its methods are incomparable in 

 their potency. The Master knew full well 

 that the time was not yet ripe, that he 

 brought not peace, but a sword. But he 

 preached nevertheless that gospel of great 

 joy which is by and by to be realized by 

 toiling Humanity, and he announced ethi- 

 cal principles fit for the time that is com- 

 ing. The great originality of his teaching, 

 and the feature that has chiefly given it 

 power in the world, lay in the distinctness 

 with which he conceived a state of society 



