Page:Miscellaneous Writings.djvu/237

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“THY WILL BE DONE”
211

lose them; and if you love them, you will help to reform them.

Christ points the way of salvation. His mode is not cowardly, uncharitable, nor unwise, but it teaches mortals to handle serpents and cast out evil. Our own vision must be clear to open the eyes of others, else the blind will lead the blind and both shall fall. The sickly charity that supplies criminals with bouquets has been dealt with summarily by the good judgment of people in the old Bay State. Inhuman medical bills, class legislation, and Salem witchcraft, are not indigenous to her soil.

“Out of the depths have I delivered thee.” The drowning man just rescued from the merciless wave is unconscious of suffering. Why, then, do you break his peace and cause him to suffer in coming to life? Because you wish to save him from death. Then, if a criminal is at peace, is he not to be pitied and brought back to life? Or, are you afraid to do this lest he suffer, trample on your pearls of thought, and turn on you and rend you? Cowardice is selfishness. When one protects himself at his neighbor's cost, let him remember, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it.” He risks nothing who obeys the law of God, and shall find the Life that cannot be lost.

Our Master said, “Ye shall drink indeed of my cup.” Jesus stormed sin in its citadels and kept peace with God. He drank this cup giving thanks, and he said to his followers, “Drink ye all of it,” — drink it all, and let all drink of it. He lived the spirit of his prayer, — “Thy kingdom come.” Shall we repeat our Lord's Prayer when the heart denies it, refuses to bear the cross and