Does the World Hate Piety?
Does the World Hate Piety?—In answer to this question, the celebrated Sidney Smith says: "It is not true that the world hates piety. That modest and unobtrusive piety which fills the heart with all human charities, and makes a man gentle to others and severe to himself, is an object of universal love and veneration. But mankind hate the lust of power when it is veiled under the garb of piety; they hate cant and hypocrisy; they hate advertisers and quacks in piety; they do not choose to be insulted; they love to tear folly and impudence from the altars which should only be a sanctuary for the righteous and the good." This seems very plausible, but it is not true. There once lived a man whose "modest and unobtrusive piety" no one doubts. It has even extorted the praise of bitter opponents. But did Jesus of Nazareth find himself the "object of universal love and admiration"? Nay, did he not justly apply to himself the words of the Old Testament, "They hated me without a cause?"—Chr. Intel.