f them get a good deal of outdoor relief. Go into a country parish
and look for the clergyman's house; you will not find it difficult
to discover. The best residence is the squire's, the next best is the
parson's. Everywhere the clericals appropriate as much as they can of
the good things of this world. They find it quite easy to worship God
and Mammon together. The curate has his eye on a vicarage; the vicar
has his on a deanery; the dean has his on a bishopric. The Dissenting
minister is open to improve his position. Sometimes he is invited to
another church. He wrestles with the Lord, and makes inquiries. If they
prove satisfactory, he recognises "a call." Other people, in ordinary
business, would honestly say they were accepting a better situation; but
the man of God is above all that, so he obeys the Lord's voice and goes
to a position of "greater service," though it would puzzle him to show
an extra soul saved by the exchange. Yes, the poor Carpenter's apostles
strive to make the best of this world, and take their chance of the
next. They are wise in their generation; they resemble the serpent in
the text, however they neglect the dove. And for all these things God
shall bring them into account--that is, if the gospel be true; for
nothing is more certain, according to the gospel, than that the poor
will be saved, and those who are not poor will be damned.

Benjamin Disraeli called the Conservative government of Sir Robert Peel
"an organised hypocrisy." Modern Christianity appears to us to merit
the same description. The note of modern apologetics is the phrase of
"Christ-like." In one respect the gentlemen who strike this note _are_
Christ-like. They live on the gifts of the faithful, including those of
"rich women." But the likeness ends there. In other respects they are
dissimilar to their Master. He _died_ upon the cross, and they _live_
upon the cross. Yes, and many of them get far more on the cross than
they would ever get on the square.

Doubtless we shall be censured in vigorous biblical language for
speaking so plainly. But we mean every word we say, and are prepared to
make it good in discussion. Men should practise what they preach. Those
who teach that poverty is a blessing should themselves be poor. Those
who teach that God Almighty cried "Woe unto you rich!" should avoid
the curse of wealth. If they do not, they are hypocrites. It is no use
mincing the matter. Plain speech is best on such occasions. W