"They afford much food for reflection," thought Mr. Simson, "though I
cannot myself go as far as you do in including Christianity under that
heading."
Mary frowned at him; but Mr. Simson, eager for argument or not noticing,
blundered on:--
"Whether we accept the miraculous explanation of Christ's birth,"
continued Mr. Simson, in his best street-corner voice, "or whether, with
the great French writer whose name for the moment escapes me, we regard
Him merely as a man inspired, we must, I think, admit that His teaching
has been of help: especially to the poor."
The fanatic turned upon him so fiercely that Mr. Simson's arm
involuntarily assumed the posture of defence.
"To the poor?" the old man almost shrieked. "To the poor that he has
robbed of all power of resistance to oppression by his vile, submissive
creed! that he has drugged into passive acceptance of every evil done to
them by his false promises that their sufferings here shall win for them
some wonderful reward when they are dead. What has been his teaching to
the poor? Bow your backs to the lash, kiss the rod that scars your
flesh.
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