offer than any other. The past
teaches us that, in order to succeed, a movement like this must not be
a mere philosophy, it must be a religion; also, that it must not claim
entire originality, but content itself with passing for an improvement
on an existing religion, and show its hand later, when strong and
prosperous--like Mohammedanism.

Next, there must be money--and plenty of it.

Next, the power and authority and capital must be concentrated in the
grip of a small and irresponsible clique, with nobody outside privileged
to ask questions or find fault.

Next, as before remarked, it must bait its hook with some new and
attractive advantages over the baits offered by the other religions.

A new movement equipped with some of these endowments--like
spiritualism, for instance--may count upon a considerable success; a
new movement equipped with the bulk of them--like Mohammedanism, for
instance--may count upon a widely extended conquest. Mormonism had all
the requisites but one--it had nothing new and nothing valuable to bait
with; and, besides, it appealed to the stupid and the ignorant only.
Spiritualism lacked the important detail of concentration of money and
authority in the hands of an irresponsible clique.

The above equipment is excellent, admirable, powerful, but not
perfect. There is yet another detail which is worth the whole of it
put together--and more; a detail which has never been joined (in the
beginning of a religious movement) to a supremely good working
equipment since the world began, until now: a new personage to worship.
Christianity had the Saviour, but at first and for generations it lacked
money and concentrated power. In Mrs. Eddy, Christian Science possesses
the new personage for worship, and in addition--here in the very
beginning--a working equipment that has not a flaw in it. In the
beginning, Mohammedanism had no money; and it has never had anything to
offer its client but heaven--nothing here below that was valuable. In
addition to heaven hereafter, Christian Science has present health and
a cheerful spirit to offer--for cash--and in comparison with this bribe
all other this-world bribes are poor and cheap. You recognise that this
estimate is admissible, do you not?

To whom does Bellamy's 'Nationalism' appeal? Necessarily to the few:
people who read and dream, and are compassionate, and troubled for the
poor and the hard-driven. To whom does Spiritualism appeal? Necessarily
to th