122 REV. PREBENDARY WACE, D.D., ON ETHICS AND RELIGION. 
“2. These are independent of a man’s religious and 
theological beliets. 
“3. Material resources, political changes, social institutions, 
are valuable only so far as they contribute to the moral 
well-being of the community.” 
Of these propositions it would seem that the second ought 
to come first; for if character and conduct are not in- 
dependent of a man’s religious and theological beliefs, 
those beliefs may after all be the most important factors 
in life, and the value of institutions may to some extent 
be directly dependent on their promotion of such beliefs. 
But im any case it is evident that the key to the whole 
problem discussed in the book, and involved in the position of 
the Ethical Societies, lies in the question whether ethical 
and theological principles can properly be separated, so that 
ethics can be satisfactorily treated apart from theology. Of 
course, this question is raised from motives which deserve 
great respect and sympathy, and which are of immediate 
practical consequence. As the case is put with touching 
force by one of the lecturers (p. 59) :— 
«To many of those who have joined the Ethical Societies, 
this gospel of Righteousness has become a veritable salvation. 
There was a time when their life seemed utterly dark and 
desolate. Through no fault of their own, the faith which 
had been transmitted to them at their mother’s knee had 
become uncertain; corroding doubt had attacked their most 
cherished beliefs; and, in the bitterness and anguish of the 
inner struggle which they underwent, it seemed to them 
that the world was emptied of all that is most sacred, and 
that life was robbed of all that gave it worth and meaning. 
But, as a star in the night, there rose above their heads the 
star of duty, and, as the dawn of day, there came into their 
hearts the conviction that, whatever else might go, something 
infinitely precious and sacred remains, something ie steht they 
could not lose. They felt that the distinction ieee on ihe 
better and the baser lite remains, and that they could lead the 
better life if they only would, and that even in the attempt 
to do so there is inspiration and support and_ solace. 
Though the waters of scepticism might sweep away 
the whole superstructure of religious belief, the Rock 
of Righteousness remained upon which they could build up 
their lives anew.’ 
Deep homage is due to the spirit which is expressed in 
such statements, or rather such confessions, as this; and it 
