Page:Apollonius of Tyana - the pagan Christ of the third century.pdf/105

100 India is separated from Persia. All this looks like mandarin science and mandarin religion: the only thing wanting is the decoration of the red or yellow button, and the Son of Heaven is there to bestow it. How pleasant it is to think that at the very time when this old comedy was being played out, the Gospel of freedom, of more intimate communion with God, of progress through holiness, truth, and charity, was already telling upon these grown-up children who were in the midst of their games playing at making gods, and that the feeble and aimless questionings of these outstripped apostles of conservatism were being answered by the fresh, clear voice which, rejoicing in the full vigour of its youth, and resting upon the immovable foundation of infinite love, proclaimed both to the individual and to society at large the sacred duty of a never-ending reform!