that the natural selection of such an order might conceivably be regarded as a phenomenon of social evolution.

One of the features of a highly perfected society will be the large degree of liberty which its members enjoy. I am inclined to imagine that the goal of social evolution might be described in a large way as the realization of a state of perfect freedom. Need I now point out, in terms, how glorious is the freedom which this aristocracy will possess? Though not alone nor chiefly in this, a peculiar freedom will be theirs in the fact that they will be delivered from dependence upon elusive and perishable things. Happiness, after all, requires no paraphernalia. It is the fault of the modern socialistic propaganda that it is concerned too much with circumstances, environments, external conditions of life. We cannot refrain from earnestly desiring and labouring for the amelioration of the hard conditions which surround the unfortunate. And yet, for my part, however passionately I may be moved to denounce the wrong of it, and to plead for the brightening of their lives, I

know that the actual improvement of outward living conditions is but an insignificant and paltry part of the revolution which is organizing. Indeed, the first great benefit of the Socialism which has my devotion will be, I feel sure, among those who are already the favoured, will be among the rich and the cultured. Theirs will be the incomparable beatitude of rendering the New Obedience, of proffering social service, with an efficiency they perhaps alone can exhibit; they are equipped with abilities which the less favoured do not possess. They will not have to learn the lesson of the unsatisfactoriness of earthly prosperity, and will be more ready to lay it down, than those who have not enjoyed it will be to turn from its pursuit before they have learned that lesson. I preach no movement of the poor against the richGod forbid! For such of the socially unfavoured as can persuade themselves to forego quest of the small liberty which possessions confer, and for such of the favoured as yearn for deliverance from bondage to their fortune, I preach the possibility of a higher Freedom.

But chiefly the new nobility will be free as other men can never be free, will be assured absolutely against enslavement, will be delivered forever from all forms of servitude,just because its members will be forever rendering service, unforced and unasked. The deadliest enemy of slavery is voluntary service. This is again in another form the great lesson of the life of the Master who rendered, and who exacts, obedience. Through Obedience He won Freedom; a Servant, He was a King. Do we imagine Him as effeminate and submissive? We should do better to try to rise to an appreciation of His kingliness. In face, figure, bearing, He was in the best and truest sense a very prince of aristocrats, Who could say, "I lay down my life that I may take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.' am among you as He that serveth. Thou a king, then?

am-a King.'

"I Art

"Thou sayest that I

Ah! truly, in the words of

the old collect, servire regnare est.

Freedom! Is there nothing stirring for

ever.

the heart in this conception of it? It has ever been a word that set the blood agoing, and we have as yet hardly dreamed of it, except in its crude form of civil liberty. Much has that amounted to! There are, I fear, as many slaves under the Republic as the sun ever looked down upon under any tyrant of history. We have exchanged the shackles of military despotism for those of a sordid, gluttonous commercialism. Civil liberty is magnificent as an opportunity for real Freedom. It is a means only, howWe have been content with a name, and are still without the reality. Paraphrasing slightly a recent paragraph on one of the world's heroes and apostles of liberty, I affirm that it cannot be too often declaredwhat was with Mazzini a central conviction, central in his creed and still more eloquently central in his dedicated life,-that all the blood shed for civil freedom is but as water spilt on sand, if, stopping short in fancied achievement, men fail to win for themselves that true, spiritual, and alone valuable Freedom to which civil liberty is but the gate. The process which in beginning I sketched,

is the effort of nature to reach the type of the free man in a free society. It will attain its end when it has lifted above the Soldier, and above the Trader, the Servant; when it has passed out of the era of military tyranny and that of mercenary slavery into the age of the liberty of volunteered service.

I will paraphrase again, this time not a sentiment, but words which thrilled the hearts of Young Italy in that glorious war. For I believe there is faith among us, and patriotism of some real sort, and readiness to be offered. This nation is sick at heart and starving. It has wasted the substance of its youthful vigour in the harlotry of colossal materialism, and it has sold itself into subjection to ideals and standards which reward it with husks. It is coming to itself, nevertheless, if I misjudge not, and already is awakening in it a purpose for great deeds of honour. Its people will be,-may we not boldy trust ?—as eager in a noble cause as they have been in unworthy ones, as ready to venture in love as in greed. This people will be saved when it sees before it an object