“Not as the World Giveth”
By R.
FRANCE when organized into a republic was so governed by sentiments of ideal liberty that “Liberty, equality, fraternity,” was adopted as her motto at a time when hundreds were going to the guillotine. This was liberty, this was equality, ministered by tyrants, and her fraternity was really fratricide. In order to save the nation, Napoleon had to change it, in fact, at least, into “Infantry, cavalry, artillery.” How empty often are the professions of men. “Not as the world giveth, give I unto you,” says Christ. His is no promise of an unseen, unrealized ideal. He does not merely profess to give, but gives all that He professes. Not empty titles, not tinkling cymbals offering pleasing sounds but nothing of substance, not a dream of all the heart longs for with a waking of despair—not there; but beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning; yea, all delights and satisfactions and needs of the human soul: these He gives and gives for eternity.