Incarnation],
although the best that could be given at the time and under
the circumstances, are only a most inadequate expression of
the real truth, which they represent merely relatively and
imperfectly. These definitions, he says, should now be stated
afresh, because the traditional formula no longer corresponds
to the way in which the mystery is regarded by contemporary
thought. In his view, our present knowledge of the universe
should suggest to the Church a new examination of the dogma
of Creation; our knowledge of history should make her revise
her ideas of revelation; and our progress in psychology and
moral philosophy should suggest to her to re-state her
theology of the Incarnation. Every one can see that there is
a grain of truth in this kind of talk. But it is, on the
whole, a pestilent and dangerous heresy. If the formulas of
modern science contradict the science of Catholic dogma, it
is the former that must be altered, not the latter. If modern
metaphysics are incompatible with the metaphysical terms and
expressions adopted by councils and explained by the Catholic
schools, then modern metaphysics must be rejected as
erroneous. The Church does not change her Christian
philosophy to suit the world's speculations; she teaches the
world, by her theological definitions, what true and sound
philosophy is. Whilst every effort should be made by Catholic
apologists to smooth the way for a genuine understanding of
the Church's dogmatic terminology, two things must never be
lost sight of, first, that this terminology expresses real
objective truth (however inadequate the expression may be to
the full meaning, as God sees it, of any given mystery); and,
secondly, that such truth is expressed in terms of sound
philosophy which will not be given up, and which may be
called the Christian philosophy."

Professor Haeckel continues his criticism of Official Christianity in
the following vein:--

"The so-called 'Peace between Church and State' is never more than
a suspension of hostilities. The modern Papacy, true to the
despotic principles it has followed for the last 1600 years, is
determined to wiel