Page:Free Opinions, Freely Expressed on Certain Phases of Modern Social Life and Conduct.djvu/94

 *isters, love us, ay, even the worst of us, in their turn, When, on the contrary, they do things for which the poorest peasant or dockyard labourer would have the right, and the honest right too, to despise them,—when they commit base actions for money or advancement,—when they are harsh, unyielding, discourteous and obstinate to the degree of even declining to aid a good cause or assist in some benefit to the nation at large, merely because they have not been consulted as to ways and methods, they do not deserve to be called "Christian" at all. They are of that class, unhappily increasing in number, who cry out: "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name?" to whom will be given the answer: "I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity!" Great and noble beyond all praise are true "Christian" ministers,—and thousands of them are to be found in all parts of the world, working silently and bravely for the rescue of bodies as well as souls, giving practical as well as spiritual help and sympathy to their fellow-men in trouble. But just because their labours are so valuable, one resents all the more deeply the conduct of certain members of the clergy who cast dishonour upon their whole calling,—and just because the vocation of "priest" is so high, we intensely deplore every action that tends to debase it. The un-Christian cleric belongs to no spiritual form of faith whatsoever, and should not be allowed to pretend that he does. He has but one religion,—Self. And from the professor of Self, no man need ask either help or instruction.