68 DISCOURSES OF FATHER HYACINTHE. 



they swell, they crest themselves and roar ! If nothing 

 check them, they shall dash themselves against each 

 other with a thnnder-crash ! And now before these two 

 waves, these two conflicting oceans in the same bed, 

 lay down that grain of sand of which Jehovah speaks: 

 " Thus far shalt thou come, and no farther." Ocean 

 of Power, Ocean of Multitude, abase your wrath, hum- 

 ble all your pride before this powerless but divine 

 boundary of duty ! 



Eeligion is the only thing which can put self-devo- 

 tion into the heart of governments and respect into the 

 hearts of the people. It is hard for government long 

 to deny itself; it is hard for the people always to yield 

 respect. But the Lord Jesus has said to human gov- 

 ernments — Of old, the kings of the nations have been 

 called from among the mighty, and have wielded lordly 

 dominion over them. Henceforth it shall not be so. 

 Henceforth kings shall be but ministers, and "he that 

 would be greatest must make himself servant of all."* 



Christ alone could make such promises. Christianity 

 alone, by inspiring governments with practical and 

 lasting devotion, could fulfil them. Christianity alone 

 has been able to hold the people steadily to their alle- 

 giance. It alone has been able to speak thus to them 

 and get a hearing : " There is nothing that you cannot 

 do, but nothing that it is right for you to do. Ye are to 

 be subject, not for wrath's sake, but for conscience' 

 sake, not only to the just and upright prince, but also 

 to the froAvard." 



I am right, then, in saying, with our holy Book, that 

 righteousness is the salvation of nations, and that Chris- 

 tianity has for its mission upon earth to establish the 

 kingdom of social as well as individual righteousness. 



* Mutthcw. XX. 2T. 



