Page:The Novels and Other Works of Lyof N. Tolstoï-v20.djvu/621

Rh how can you caress your child, how can you think of God, of death which will bring you to Him?

However you may pretend to be the executioners of unchangeable laws, you are simply men, and good men, and you are sorry, and we are sorry for you, and only in this pity and love to one another is our life.

You say need compels us to serve in this capacity. Now you know that is not true. You know that there is no poverty, that the word is conventional, that what is poverty for you is luxury for another; you know that you can find another service—one in which you will not have to persecute people, especially such people! You see just as the prophets were persecuted, then Christ, then His disciples, so always those that love men and lead them straight forward to their good have been, and are still, persecuted. Thus, how can you escape being participants in these persecutions?

It is horrible to torture a bird, an animal. How much more horrible to torture a young man, a good, pure youth, filled with love for his fellows, and wishing them well! It is horrible to be a participant in this deed, and above all to be a participant all vainly—to destroy his body, yourselves, your souls, and at the same time not only fail to stop the accomplishment of the work of bringing in the kingdom of God, but, on the other hand, against your will to assist in its triumph!

It is coming and is already at hand.