l over the world. On the other hand, as a
sect, they laboured under the prodigious disadvantage of being
refined, estimable people, living in the midst of the worn-out
civilisation of the old world; where any one who had tried to
persecute them, as the Mormons were persecuted, would have been
instantly hanged. But the majority never dreamed of persecuting them;
on the contrary, they were rather given to scold and otherwise try the
patience of the majority.

The history of these sects in the closing years of the century is
highly instructive. Mormonism ...

But I find I have suddenly slipped off Mr. Harrison's tripod, which I
had borrowed for the occasion. The fact is, I am not equal to the
prophetical business, and ought not to have undertaken it.

* * * * *

[It did not occur to me, while writing the latter part of this essay,
that it could be needful to disclaim the intention of putting the
religious system of Comte on a level with Mormonism. And I was unaware
of the fact that Mr. Harrison rejects the greater part of the
Positivist Religion, as taught by Comte. I have, therefore, erased one
or two passages, which implied his adherence to the "Religion of
Humanity" as developed by Comte, 1893.]

FOOTNOTES:

[51] See the _Official Report of the Church Congress held
at Manchester_, October 1888, pp. 253, 254.

[52] In this place and in the eleventh essay, there are
references to the late Archbishop of York which are of
no importance to my main argument, and which I have
expunged because I desire to obliterate the traces of a
temporary misunderstanding with a man of rare ability,
candour, and wit, for whom I entertained a great liking
and no less respect. I rejoice to think now of the
(then) Bishop's cordial hail the first time we met
after our little skirmish, "Well, is it to be peace or
war?" I replied, "A little of both." But there was only
peace when we parted, and ever after.

[53] Dr. Wace tells us, "It may be asked how far we can rely
on the accounts we possess of our Lord's teaching on
these subjects." And he seems to think the question
appropriately answered by the assertion that it "ought
to be regarded as settled by M. Renan's practical
surrender of the adverse case." I thought I knew M.