was not an active force. I should think it most monstrous if I had said 
anything of the kind. What I intended to say was, that I would supple- 
ment the paper by suggesting that we do not look so much as we ought 
upon Christianity as a preventive force, and that this character of Chris- 
tianity ought to be distinctly brought out. Professor Lias speaks of 
Christianity rather as an active force : I ask this Institute to look upon 
it as a preventive force also ; for I think the salting power of Christianity 
to preserve from corruption is a very important part of its influence upon 
humanity. But as to saying that Christianity is not an active force, I never 
had any idea of such a thing. (Hear, hear.) 
Mr. E. W. Dibdin. You meant, in fact, that it has a negative moral 
force as well as an active force ? [The Chairman.— Yes, precisely.] I 
think that some of the observations which have been made to-night seem 
rather to have disparaged the effects of Christianity, but, speaking for 
myself, and probably for some others who are present, I repudiate any 
such interpretation of my views. It is quite possible that some of those 
who adopt the views of the Professor, may look at the world as at present 
existing, from rather too favourable a point of view, and may shade down 
some of the worst instances of vice and heighten up some of the virtues, 
so as to make the result more startling. But we emphatically deny that 
Christianity has failed. (Cheers.) Christianity has influenced all mankind 
in a marvellous way. It has not yet leavened the whole lump, still [its 
results are visible everywhere. It is very important to remember that the great 
object of Christianity is to deal with individuals rather than with large 
masses of men, and that in so far only as the individual is touched, will the 
large mass be materially influenced. We find in the teaching of Christ 
Himself, that He addressed it much to individuals ; and we find the Apostles 
constantly writing to men who professed Christianity not in a general and 
wide sense, but impressing upon them its personal importance. Take the 
case of a drunkard, who has been the terror of his neighbourhood and 
the curse of his family : in how many cases have such men been reclaimed 
by the influence of Christianity, and been led to be respectable and honour- 
able members of society ! Christianity has done a great work here, which is 
not lessened because there are other drunkards unreclaimed. The case of 
nations w'here there are only a few really Christian people and the great 
majority are indifferent, or are absolute disbelievers in the doctrines of 
Christianity, simply shows that Christianity has not had its full power 
there, and its influence has not been thoroughly brought to bear upon the 
population. I believe that Christianity has not failed in what it has done, 
and that it will not finally fail in what it will do in the future, and I think 
that something was needed to be said in the course of this discussion, to 
show that we do not think there is any reproach attaching to Christianity 
because its indirect effects, though admittedly great, have not been greater. 
(Cheers.) 
Professor Lias. — I have to thank those who have been performing the 
