THE SABBATH. 37 



In this, as in all other theological discussions, it is 

 interesting to note how character colours religious feel- 

 ing and conduct. The reception into Christ's kingdom 

 has been emphatically described as being born again. 

 A certain likeness of feature among Christians ought, 

 one would think, to result from a common spiritual 

 parentage. But the likeness is not observed. Men 

 professing to "be born of the same spirit, prove to be as 

 diverse as those who claim no such origin. Christian 

 communities embrace some of the loftiest and many of 

 the lowest of mankind. It may be urged that the lofty 

 ones only are truly religious. To this it is to be replied 

 that the others are often as religious as their natures per- 

 mit them to be. Character is here the overmastering 

 force. That religion should influence life in a high 

 way implies the pre-existence of natural dignity. This 

 is the mordant which fixes the religious dye. He who 

 is capable of feeling the finer glow of religion would 

 possess a substratum available for all the relations of 

 life, even if his religion were taken away. Eeligion, on 

 the other hand, cannot charm away malice, or make 

 good defects of character. I have already spoken of per- 

 secution in its meaner forms. On the lower levels of 

 theological warfare such are commonly resorted to. If 

 you reject a dogma on intellectual grounds it is be- 

 cause there is a screw loose in your morality. Some 

 personal sin besets and blinds you. The intellect is 

 captive to a corrupt heart. Thus good men have been 

 often calumniated by others who were not good; thus 

 frequently have the noble become a target for the wicked 

 and the mean. With the advance of public intelligence 

 the day of such assailants is happily drawing to a close. 

 These reflections, which connect themselves with 



of the Council of Trent expresses a similar view. There are, then, 

 " data of ethics " over and above the revealed ones. 



