Page:Religion in the Making.djvu/48

 self-consciousness: It lacks the element of quietism. Generality is the salt of religion.

When Christianity had established itself throughout the Roman Empire and its neighbourhood, there were before the world two main rational religions, Buddhism and Christianity. There were, of course, many rivals to both of them in their respective regions; but if we have regard to clarity of idea, generality of thought, moral respectability, survival power, and width of extension over the world, then for their combination of all these qualities these religions stood out beyond their competitors. Later their position was challenged by the Mahometans. But even to-day, the two Catholic religions of civilization are Christianity and Buddhism, and — if we are to judge by the comparison of their position now with what it has been — both of them are in decay. They have lost their ancient hold upon the world.