Page:The way of Martha and the way of Mary (1915).djvu/307

Rh and the sentiment are taken as an ornament of Christianity. Agnostics and non-Christians make a mock of Christians because they do not turn the other cheek. The teaching is considered of so little importance that it is a Christian act to give a cad a thrashing, and the clergyman well versed in the noble art of self-defence is by no means a rarity. In Russia, non-resistance is a way of overcoming the world and putting Satan behind you. Going two miles with the man who forces you to go one, giving the cloak to the man who takes the coat, turning the other cheek, are podvigs, holy exploits, taking the uniform of Christ's not saving Himself from the Cross.

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." This has authority in Russia. In England we do not give for the asking, and to borrow is disgraceful. In Russia giving and lending are scarcely virtues; they are a condition of life. America is also ready to give and lend, but not so much to persons as to societies, funds, hospitals, new priesthoods.

"Love your enemies" is the podvig, the holy exploit once more, by which the world is overcome, and is very real in Russia.

"Pray for them which despitefully use you": this is essentially a teaching that has Western acceptance. The Russian does not pray much for his enemies.

"Be ye perfect!" This is a Western ideal, to be perfect. The East does not strive to be better than it is now.

"Do not your alms before men" is generally disregarded by West and East.

"When ye pray, use not vain repetitions": the West has obeyed this monition. The prayers of the East are indeed not unlike the prayers of the heathen. The Lord's Prayer has meant much more to the West than to the East.

"When ye fast, be not of a sad countenance": the