II

Notwithstanding much present controversy, there are some grounds for hope that disagreement in regard to the doctrine of the Eucharist may decrease. Something may be anticipated as a result of that calmer way of viewing religious problems which is increasingly found. The scientific study of history with all that it manifests in regard to the past and its exhibition of the real mind of the best representatives of different points of view may do much. Old crudities of thought as to the nature of presence and the conception of reality are less influential than they were. It is being recognised that the relation of matter to spirit and of spirit to matter is a more complex problem than once was thought. The essential feature in sacrifice is being seen to lie deeper than death or destruction, as it is understood that the dedication of abiding life is no less sacrificial than the death which in some circumstances is a necessary part of the oblation of the will. All fuller understanding of the spiritual character and power of the risen body of Christ and of the mystery of His ascended glory tends towards the removal of misunderstandings of manifold kinds.