It is not so much the KIND of religion which, connected with politics, causes trouble. It is not so much the particular church which, united with the State, develops intolerance, persecution, and tyranny. The evil is in the intermixture of diverse elements. It is prostituting the divine idea to the low, gross, human element. It is making religion the sport, the play, the shuttlecock of politics. In its attempt to enthrone man as the vicar of God, it degrades God to the human level. And it places a cordon of ecclesiastical policemen between the soul and the Throne that is always accessible to the humble and sincere. There are chemicals which by themselves are innocuous and useful, but when united become powerful poisons or explosives. So it is with religion—Mohammedan, Roman Catholic, Protestant—and the State—empire, kingdom, or republic. But no true republic can live under such union; and from the Christian religion under such alliance, Christ departs.