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Swartbmore Xecture.

the American and the French Revolution , and theclassical philosophy of Germany, from Kant toHegel . This last brought the two former togetherin a profound synthesis and strengthened theirhold on the transcendant. This main stream ofideals we may call Social Democracy or DemocraticSocialism according as we payheed to its upper orits lower reaches. To-day it spreads wide in abroadexpanse that unites the nations. Man can neverhope to reach the mouth of this mighty river, forit flows out into eternity. Democracy in its com-pleteness, and Socialism in its completeness, asan order realising at the same time both freedomand solidarity, these would be the Kingdom ofGod on Earth . But we have faith that we maymake no insignificant approach nearer and nearerto this goal which lies beyond history. " Mankindis still young " (Kant ).

But the great danger is that the religious sourcesdry up and democracy becomes a swamp full offatal miasmas. The eighteenth century's Liberty,Equality and Fraternity, and the nineteenthcentury's Social Reform and Democratic Socialismdescend from religious convictions. Cut off fromtheir religious origins, the political and economicideals of our time totter and fall. They becomeabsurd and unworkable generalisations, refutedby the experience—forces of destruction perhaps,but unfit for the construction of a new and betterworld order. Democracy is founded on the beliefin the eternal or absolute value of " Man " and" Mankind "—without the vital grasp on eternityit becomes chimera.