1844-54. ATHANASIUS CONTRA MUNDUM. 369 



from many of the charges made against them. Men are both 

 worse and better than their creeds, which are but imperfect 

 standards by which to try them. Eeligion should be a life, not 

 a doctrine ; and if we cannot find what it should be as the 

 former, from the life of our blessed Lord and Saviour, I know 

 not where we shall find it. Often do I think of those startling 

 words, ' When the Son of man cometh, will he find faith on 

 the earth ? ' If men, instead of fretting themselves because 

 their neighbours are foolish religionists, would leave them and 

 their real or supposed follies alone, and go to Him who is all 

 wisdom, and all holiness, and all love, they would find differ- 

 ences of creed adjust themselves in the light of that love of 

 God, and that love of our neighbour as ourselves, which are the 

 fulfilling of the law. I rejoice that I have a creed with which 

 I can face death and eternity, and which makes this life often 

 a joyous worship, and always a patient endurance. My prayer 

 is for a closer union to Christ my Saviour ; to be able to say 

 as St. Thomas did, with my whole heart, 'My Lord and my 

 God ; ' to realize to the fullest, His personality and His huma- 

 nity ; and to walk in His steps as a lowly follower, and 

 disciple, and servant. For all my friends, as for myself, I ever 

 ask this blessing. It includes everything, and will open in 

 good time all the locked secrets of Providence, and furnish 

 not a but the theory of the universe. I am glad you liked 

 ' Athanasius/ I shall perhaps send you another little thing one 

 of these days ; but till I am clear of my present book-writing, 

 I cannot let my thoughts go forth in the way they must do to 

 beget poetry." 



The verses alluded to will not be unacceptable to many : 



ATHANASIUS CONTKA MUNDUM. 



O Athanasius ! thy too subtle creed 



Makes my heart tremble when I hear it read, 



And my flesh quivers when the priest proclaims 



God's doom on every unbeliever's head. 



Yet I do honour thee for those brave words 



Against the heretic so boldly hurled, 

 " Though no one else believe, I'll hold my faith, 



I, Athanasius, against the world." 

 2 A 



