193

It can do nothing but deplore; it cannot remedy 194

In such cases the mind's decadence has begun; and its symptoms
are 194

Self-reproach 195

Life-weariness 195

And indifference 195

The class of men to whom this applies is increasing, and they are
the true representatives of the work of positive thought 196

It is hard to realise this ominous fact 197

But by looking steadily and dispassionately at the characteristics
of the present epoch we may learn to do so 198

We shall see that the opinions now forming will have a weight
and power that no opinions ever had before 199

And their tendency, as yet latent, towards pessimism is therefore
most momentous 200

If it is to be cured, it must be faced 200

It takes the form of a suppressed longing for the religious faith
that is lost 200

And this longing is wide-spread, though only expressed indirectly 201

It is felt even by men of science 202

But the longing seems fruitless 203

This dejection is in fact shared by the believers 203

And is even authoritatively recognised by Catholicism 204

The great question for the world now, and the one on which its
whole future depends, is, will the lost faith ever be recovered? 205

The answer to this will probably have to be decisive, one way or
the other 206

CHAPTER IX.

THE LOGIC OF SCIENTIFIC NEGATION.

What gives the denials of positivism their general weight, is the
impression that they represent reason 208

They are supported by three kinds of arguments: physical, moral,
and historical 209

The two first bear upon all religion; the latter only on special
revelations 210

Natural religi