blinded and half maddened by
adulation, by the absence of restraint, by unlimited sensual indulgence
if his tendencies be low and animal, and by the pride of power if he be
high-spirited and aspiring.

If we assume, what seems pretty well established, that the Pharaoh from
whom Moses fled was Rameses the Great, his spirit was of the nobler
kind, and he exhibits a terrible example of the unfitness even of
conquering genius for unbridled and irresponsible power. That lesson has
had to be repeated, even down to the days of the Great Napoleon.

Now, if the justice of plaguing a nation for the offence of its head be
questioned, let us ask first whether the nation accepts his despotism,
honours him, and is content to regard him as its chief and captain.
According to the principles of the Sermon on the Mount, whoever thinks a
tyrant enviable, has already himself tyrannised with him in his heart.
Do we ourselves, then, never sympathise with political audacity, bold
and unscrupulous "resource," success that is bought at the price of
strange compliances, and compromises, and wrongs to other men?

The great national lesson is now to be taught to Israel that the most
splendid imperial force will be brought to an account for its treatment
of the humblest--that there is a God Who judges in the earth. And they
were bidden to apply in their own land this experience of their own,
dealing kindly with the stranger in the midst of them, "for thou wast a
stranger in the land of Egypt." That lesson we have partly learned, who
have broken the chain of our slaves. But how much have we left undone!
The subject races were never given into our hands to supplant them, as
we have supplanted the Red Indian and the New Zealander, nor to
debauch, as men say we are corrupting the African and the Hindoo, but to
raise, instruct and Christianise. And if the subjects of a despotism are
accountable for the actions of rulers whom they tolerate, how much more
are we? What ought we to infer, from this old-world history, of the
profound responsibilities of all free citizens?

We attain a principle which reaches far into the spiritual world, when
we reflect that if evil deeds of a ruler can justly draw down vengeance
upon his people, the converse also must hold good. Reverse the case
before us. Let the kingdom be that of the noblest and purest virtue. Let
no subject ever be coerced to enter it, nor to remain one hour longer
than while his adoring loyalty con