Note 11 — LECTURE I. NECESSITY FOR A PROPER COMPARISON OF THE TWO RELIGIONS.

To draw proper inferences from statistics of the spread and supremacy of a religion, we must first investigate the circumstances in which it was propagated, and the intellectual and moral conditions of the peoples whom it has converted. If it has gained only the belief of one section of the human race, it is evidently not entitled to rank with another which proves itself influential among all sections. A religion dominant only over inferior races is manifestly of less value than another which, while satisfying the wants of the lowest and most degraded peoples, is yet fulfilling the spiritual aspirations of the highest. The first, if in any way related to the second, can only be so as preparatory and prophetic of the mission which the second alone can accomplish.