affirm finalities in politics. In these days such a
process would be an anachronism. For example, when
the Test Acts were repealed, Dissenters were called
upon to declare that they would make no attack on
the Anglican Establishment. The promise was of
course futile, for it could only in the nature of things
affect those who were enfranchised. At present, the
most conservative of statesmen, as far as ecclesiastical
matters are concerned, allows that, if public opinion
demands it, the Establishment must go by the board.
Such an admission is not, as foolish people say, de-
structive, but eminently protective to the institution
about which it is allowed, for it must as a con-
sequence be shown, not only that the Establishment
is useless, but that it is mischievous.

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