In a former book, called LORD OF THE WORLD, I attempted to sketch the kind of developments a hundred years hence which, I thought, might reasonably be expected if the present lines of what is called "modern thought" were only prolonged far enough; and I was informed repeatedly that the effect of the book was exceedingly depressing and discouraging to optimistic Christians. In the present book I am attempting not in the least to withdraw anything that I said in the former, but to follow up the other lines instead, and to sketch the kind of developments, about sixty years hence which may reasonably be expected should the opposite process begin, and ancient thought be prolonged instead. -- RHB