na in advance.

Our civilization is undergoing a complete revolution. The field is newly
ploughed by the events of the last few years, and it becomes the Church
to scatter the seeds of truth with an unsparing hand. If this land is to
be blessed with pure faith, as in past years, a faith strong enough to
repel every blow of Skepticism, to the Church, as an instrument, and not
to our natural growth, shall be attributed this popular prosperity. If
we would secure for future years an uncorrupted faith, the enaction of
pure laws, the introduction of the Gospel into every social class, an
increased enthusiasm in missionary labors, the intense union of all
parts of our country, and the united progress of piety and theological
science, the duty of the present hour must be discharged.

FOOTNOTES:

[271] Farrar, _Critical History of Free Thought_, p. 324.

[272] Weiss, _Life and Correspondence of Theodore Parker_, vol. i., p.
30.

[273] _Discourse on Matters Pertaining to Religion_, pp. 5, 6.

[274] _Discourse on Matters Pertaining to Religion_, p. 111.

[275] _Discourse on Matters Pertaining to Religion_, pp. 333, 4.

[276] Ibid. p. 350.

[277] _Discourse on Matters Pertaining to Religion_, pp. 477, 478.

[278] _Sermons of Theism, Atheism, and Popular Theology_, pp. 51-55.

[279] Weiss, _Life and Correspondence of Theodore Parker_, vol. i., p.
402.

[280] _Stories of the Patriarchs_, by Rev. O. B. Frothingham. Boston,
1864.

[281] Sermon on the _New Religion of Nature_, before the Alumni of the
Cambridge Divinity School. Published in the _Friend of Progress_,
November, 1864.

CHAPTER XXV.

INDIRECT SERVICE OF SKEPTICISM--PRESENT OUTLOOK.

The most important successes of man are born of his severest trials and
most persistent struggles. Sometimes principles have required the
combats of centuries before they become the possession of a heroic
people. The value of the prize may in most cases be accurately estimated
by the length of time and the outlay of effort expended for its
attainment. "Men of easy faith," says a wise observer of human deeds,
"and sanguine hope, have sometimes, after one great commotion and
change, joyously assured themselves that this would suffice. The grand
evil is removed; we shall now happily and fast advance with a clear
scene before us. But after a while, to their surprise and dismay,
another commotion and dismay has perhaps carried the whole affair back,
apparently, to the