THE WORLD UNFRIENDLY TO THE CHRISTIAN.
We mistake the matter, if we think that the offence of the cross has yet ceased from the land. We mistake it if we think that the persecution of contempt, a species of persecution more appalling to some minds than even direct and personal violence, is not still the appointed trial of all who would live godly, and of those who expound zealously and honestly the doctrine of Christ Jesus our Lord. We utterly mistake it if we think that the reproach cast upon Paul that he was mad, because he was an intrepid follower of Christ, is not still ready to be preferred against every faithful teacher, and every consistent disciple of the faith; and that under the terms fanaticism, dogmatism, and mysticism, there is not ready to be discharged upon them from the thousand batteries of a hostile and unbelieving world, as abundant a shower of invective and contumely as in the first ages.—Sel.