But the day will come when my doctrines will escape from the temple, and will enter into the councils of the people; on that day the social world will be renewed." This day had now arrived; it had been prepared by an age of philosophy, sceptical in appearance but in reality replete with belief.

The scepticism of the 18th century only affected exterior forms, and the supernatural dogmata of Christianity, whilst it adopted with enthusiasm, morality and the social sense.

What Christianity called revelation, philosophy called reason.

The words were different, the meaning identical.

The emancipation of individuals, of castes, of people, were alike derived from it.