It is largely by reason of all this that Socialism and Anarchism have made such great strides in France of recent years.

Robespierre, as will be remembered, once tried to suppress Christianity altogether, and for a time certainly there was a virtually general cessation of religious observances in France.

But no such Reign of Terror prevails there to-day.

Men are perfectly free to believe if they are inclined to do so; and yet never were there fewer religious marriages, fewer baptisms or smaller congregations in the French churches.

I refer not merely to Paris and other large cities, but to the smaller towns, and even the little hamlets of many parts.