raud no man," to "corrupt no man,"
to "love our enemies," to "pray for those who despitefully use us," to
"disregard external distinctions." In Christ there is neither Jew nor
Greek, bond nor free, male nor female, but all are one. The poor are
exalted and the rich are humbled. Tholuck says: "The cultivated heathen
were offended at Christianity because the higher classes could no longer
have precedence of the common people." A religion which teaches that all
are upon one grand level under its influences will certainly teach us that
all are equal in the presence of the law. Christianity is not only a
stranger to despotism, but denounces it in the plainest terms. Its great
founder said: "Whosoever will be great among you let him be your servant,
and whosoever will be chief let him be your minister." What greater
calamity could we experience than the loss of the last copy of the New
Testament? Who would bring over the world once more the darkness of
Paganism? Who would have our Government put on Roman character? Who would
have us foster the basest passions of men? Who would throw the human
intellect back into a state of uncertainty respecting a future existence
and the manner of securing its blessedness? Who would dry up the living
fountains of joy which have been opened to us in the gospel? Who would
destroy the motive power of our religion and wither its fruits of
righteousness? Who would rob the bereaved heart of its consolations and
provoke anew the tears of the mourner which have been wiped away? Who
would go to the widow and say: Go and visit the grave of your loved one
and weep without hope! Yes, weep with the terrible thought that this
parting is to last forever! Weep with trembling, and at last step into the
grave with awful uncertainty, to learn all there, and never bring back the
secret. Who are they who would restore to death its sting and to the grave
its victory? What victories have they ever achieved for our humanity? No
calculations could measure the sacrifice it would cost to part with the
Bible forever. Wicked men would toll its funeral, while the innocent ones
of earth would bathe in tears and turn away in sorrow. Let us never
persecute those unfortunate men who are opposing the truth of our religion
on account of the errors of the creeds of our fathers. Let us always avoid
a spirit of despotism and persecution, because it is dishonorable. If
there must be persecution, let truth be the victim. Error is not