Page:New Christianity.pdf/63

 every year, in order to cover the increase of expenses occasioned by your armed soldiery, and the luxury of your courtezans.

The class of your subjects to which you grant particular protection, is that of the nobles; a class which, like you, establishes its rights by the sword.

However, your blameable conduct appears excusable under several aspects. One thing has had the effect of leading you into error: it is the approbation which you have received for your united efforts to humble the power of the modern Cæsar. In opposing him you have acted very Christian-like but it is only because, in his hands, the authority of Cæsar, which Napoleon had obtained by conquest, had much more power than in yours, into which it came only by heritage. Your conduct has still another excuse; it is, that it was the clergy's part to stop you at the brink of the precipice; whilst they, on the contrary, have precipitated themselves into it along with you.

Princes! listen to the voice of God, which speaks through me! Become good Christians! Cease to consider armed soldiers, nobles, heretical clergy, and perverse judges, as your principal supporters: united in the name of Christianity, learn to accomplish all the duties which it imposes on the powerful. Remember that it commands them to employ all their force to increase, in the most rapid manner possible, the social happiness of the poor.

.