Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/67

 or whether  these  are  healthy  and  sound,  or rotten  and  decayed.

4. There  are  other  absurdities  to  be  pointed out. If it  were  possible  to  be  saved  without the true  doctrine,  as  taught  by  Jesus  Christ, then might  the  apostles  have  stayed  at  home, and it  would  have  been  an  act  of  folly  on  the part of  the  holy  martyrs  to  lay  down  their lives for  the  Faith. They might  have  argued thus: faith  is  of  no  importance,  it  is  quite enough to  lead  an  upright  life. Moreover, it would  have  been  quite  unnecessary  that  the Son of  God  should  have  become  man,  and should have  taught  us  the  one  divine  and saving truth.

One more  remark:  he  who  declares  it does  not  matter  what  one  believes,  says  as much  as, "  It  does  not  matter  whether  one  says : 'God  speaks  the  truth,  or  God  tells  a  lie';  it does  not  matter  whether  one  says:  ' Jesus is  the  Son  of  God,  or  [horrible  is  the  mere thought]  Jesus  is  a  deceiver.'"  Is  not  such a way  of  speaking  both  impious  and  foolish?

5. Therefore  are  the  effects  of  indifferentism  so  ruinous. Ruinous for  individuals, for how  can  he  be  saved  who  is  conscious  that he does  not  trouble  himself  about  the  teaching of Christ? How has  a  mere  belief  in  the existence of  a  God  been  considered  sufficient for salvation? Even the  devils  believe  in God. Turks and  heathens,  too,  believe  in  a God. How ruinous  for  families! What examples do  persons  who  are  indifferent  to