There has never been a time when a really well-informed revelation, uttered with charm and power, might not have revolutionized the world. "A well-informed revelation!" the reader may cry: "What terrible bathos!" Mr. Wells, moreover, speaks slightingly of revelation (pp. 19, 163) in a tone that seems to imply that "modern religion" would have nothing to do with it even if it could. But the demand for a revelation is eminently reasonable and justified; and the only trouble about the historic revelations is that they have all been so shockingly ill-informed, and have revealed nothing to the purpose. Robert Louis Stevenson anticipated Mr. Wells's view of the matter when he wrote ironically:-- It's a simple thing that I demand, Though humble as can be-- A statement fair in my Maker's hand To a gentleman like me-- A clean account, writ fair and broad, And a plain apologee-- Or deevil a ceevil word to God From a gentleman like me. But why this irony? What an infinity of trouble and pain would have been saved if such a "clean account, writ fair and broad," had been vouchsafed, and had been found to tally with the facts! Nor have the reputedly wise and good of this world seen any presumption in desiring such a _communique_. Most of them thought they had received it, and many wasted half their lives in attempting to reconcile new knowledge with old ignorance, promulgated under the guarantee of God. I cannot but think that the poet got nearer the heart of the matter who wrote:-- Was Moses upon Sinai taught How Sinai's mighty ribs were wrought? Did Buddha, 'neath the bo-tree's shade, Learn how the stars were poised and swayed? Did Jesus still pain's raging storm, And dower the world with chloroform? Or Mahomet a jehad decree 'Gainst microbe-harboring gnat and flea? Has revelation e'er revealed Aught from its age and hour concealed? Or miracle, since time began, Conferred a single boon on Man?