Page:Labour - The Divine Command, 1890.djvu/79

Rh barns; but God feedeth them." So he answers me.

All these arguments are absolutely opposed to the primitive and to the natural law.

I ask of the rich man: Which is the most immutable law? Is it the theological law that man has written upon paper, or the natural law that God has written in our hearts? Truly, neither is to be rejected, but I myself prefer the natural law, and I hope, reader, that you will agree with me.

59. Well, Bondareff, if you will present your propositions to the government, with mine by their side, my arguments will be approved, and recognized as true and praiseworthy, while yours will be rejected.

60. You see now, reader, how far I have carried my loyalty. I might have concealed these objections to my arguments, but I will not palter with the truth, because it is wrong to speak of this great and sacred duty of laboring for bread, and at the same time to disguise the truth under an ignoble flattery.

But if, in my answer, you find a bitterness that seems to you insupportable, clench your teeth and say nothing. I pray you, do not seek a quarrel with me.

You are so accustomed to listen to flatterers, that my frankness will seem to you intolerable.

61. Let us return to our question. How many thousand measures of wheat, how many