The  regret  which  these  facts  awaken  is  all  the  deeper,  because
theological  scholars  in  Germany  enjoy  a  greater  freedom  for
research,  and  employ  more  unhesitatingly  and  impartially  the
historical  method,  than  can  be  said  with  truth  of  their  confreres
in  other  countries.  Candour  is  a  virtue  which  is  directly  encour-
aged by  all  genuine  scientific  inquiry  :  it  is  especially  worthy,  and

^  See  pages  9-12.     Also  Appendix.     Note  II.,  images  485  f.
^  Die  Aufgabe  der  theolocjischen  Facultiilen,  und  die  allgemeine  Eeligions-
geschichte  ('"The  Task  of  the  Theological  Faculties  and  the  General
History  of  Religion").     Berlin,  1901.
33


514  COMPARATIVE   RELIGION  [note  xii

desirable,  within  the  domain  of  theology ;  and,  in  Germany,  such
candour  is  not  only  invited,  but  expected  and  applauded.  It  is
permissible  for  the  investigator  to  think  aloud ;  and  accordingly
he  often  succeeds  in  this  way  in  setting  other  minds  to  think  also,
besides  securing  for  his  own  views  due  correction  and  proportion.
It  is  true  that  some,  for  lack  of  knowledge — greedy  of  novelty,
and  despising  instruction — unhappily  go  astray ;  but  for  the  vast
majority,  that  theological  atmosphere  is  always  the  most  whole-
some which  is  most  fully  charged  with  the  ozone  of  intellectual
honesty.  Besides,  fearlessness  and  truthfulness  must  surely  lie
at  the  very  root  of  all  genuine  religious  progress.
There  are  many,  therefore,  who  are  hoping  that  before  long
Germany  may  turn  over  a  new  leaf,  as  regards  her  whole  attitude
towards    Comparative    Religion.      The    time    seems    opportune.
