| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from Concerning Christian Liberty by Martin Luther: acceptable in His sight? I will therefore give myself as a sort
of Christ, to my neighbour, as Christ has given Himself to me;
and will do nothing in this life except what I see will be
needful, advantageous, and wholesome for my neighbour, since by
faith I abound in all good things in Christ.
Thus from faith flow forth love and joy in the Lord, and from
love a cheerful, willing, free spirit, disposed to serve our
neighbour voluntarily, without taking any account of gratitude or
ingratitude, praise or blame, gain or loss. Its object is not to
lay men under obligations, nor does it distinguish between
friends and enemies, or look to gratitude or ingratitude, but
|
The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Common Sense by Thomas Paine: nor put the BIGOT in the place of the CHRISTIAN.
O ye partial ministers of your own acknowledged principles. If the
bearing arms be sinful, the first going to war must be more so,
by all the difference between wilful attack, and unavoidable defence.
Wherefore, if ye really preach from conscience, and mean not to make
a political hobbyhorse of your religion convince the world thereof,
by proclaiming your doctrine to our enemies, FOR THEY LIKEWISE BEAR _ARMS_.
Give us proof of your sincerity by publishing it at St. James's,
to the commanders in chief at Boston, to the Admirals and Captains
who are piratically ravaging our coasts, and to all the murdering
miscreants who are acting in authority under HIM whom ye profess to serve.
Common Sense |
The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Men of Iron by Howard Pyle: presently "belike thou camest here to see me for this very
matter?"
The Earl smiled again without answering, and Myles knew that he
had guessed aright. He reached out one of his weak, pallid hands
from beneath the cloak. The Earl of Mackworth took it with a firm
pressure, then instantly quitting it again, rose, as if ashamed
of his emotion, stamped his feet, as though in pretence of being
chilled, and then crossed the room to where the fire crackled
brightly in the great stone fireplace.
Little else remains to be told; only a few loose strands to tie,
and the story is complete.
Men of Iron |
