Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/396

 the stake,  and  actual  murderers  unparalleled  torments in  the  next. Oh, as  Christians,  subjects  of Christ's  law,  let  us  bring  this  truth  well  home  to  ourselves. Let not  the  example  of  others  persuade  us "Thou  shalt  not  kill"  means  simply:  "Thou  shalt not  murder." For there  are  in  our  midst  those whose only  God  is  Nature,  and  Nature's  law  their  only religion, who,  though  they  practise  the  bare  letter, boast they  are  more  peaceful  citizens  than  we  who profess the  Christian  spirit  of  this  commandment. Well, if  they  are,  thank  God  for  it;  but  I  fear  much they are  no  better  than  Scribes  and  Pharisees. They do not  kill  their  brother,  it  is  true,  but  do  they  ever hate him  or  despise  him  or  call  him  names? Charity bids us  hope  they  do  not,  but  duty  demands  that  we look  well  into  our  own  conduct. And what  do  we find? Downright murder? No, but  secret  jealousies, yes,  and  individual  squabbles,  and  ill-feeling among neighbors,  and  bitter  family  feuds,  and  a thousand  and  one  quarrels  arising  from  differences of party,  of  nationality,  or  of  religion. These, my brethren,  are  what  we  must  avoid  if  we  would  keep well the  fifth  commandment. And to  do  this  we must  be  constantly  on  our  guard,  for  anger  and  hate are subtle  vices  and  temptations  are  not  rare. Over and above  the  innate  selfishness,  and  pride,  and  general irritability  of  our  nature,  each  of  us  has  some specially sensitive  point — some  hobby. Now the devil loves  a  row  and  so,  knowing  our  characters thoroughly, he  often  hides  from  us  our  own  unchristian treatment  of  others,  and  makes  their  most  inno-