There is a class of well-disposed people, who appear to have no misgivings as to what Christianity is, who, nevertheless, give expression to their supineness with a charming naïveté. You propose some good work to them; they reply at once: "Excuse me; there will be obstacles in the way; the time has not yet come for such things; and, moreover, I should not like to put myself forward in matters of that kind, for it might place me in an awkward position." One feels tempted on these occasions to ask the apologist:--"Are you a Christian?" You may do so, and the ready reply will be:--"Yes, by the grace of God." What, then, do you understand by being a Christian? One who believes in the doctrine of Christ, has been baptized. ... {301} Now, listen to what the doctrine of Christ is: Blessed are they who are persecuted. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you,--when they shall drag you before the rulers of the people. ... I think there is a prevailing tendency to regard those texts of Holy Writ which embarrass us as mere rhetorical figures. Men talk of the possibility of being placed in a false position--that the time has not come--that there will be opposition, etc. In like manner, when Christ sent His apostles to convert the world, might they not also have said:--"But, Lord, the world is not prepared; it is still so insensible. Besides, we shall encounter opposition?" ... Or, when their shoulders were beaten with rods, might they not have felt justified in saying:-- "Let us return to our own quiet life, for this only brings us into difficulties." Is not a priest's life essentially a militant life? Is not the priest a soldier? What would be said, what would be thought of a soldier who, on hearing the alarm, the enemy! to arms! should coolly reply:--"Stop, there will be opposition; the enemy will resist and assail us with musketry and artillery?" There would only be one name for such a soldier in France--he would be called a coward. {302} But no such soldier is to be found amongst us; on the contrary, at the bare thought of opposition and resistance to be encountered, his courage rises, his heart leaps, he runs, he strikes, he conquers, or he dies a glorious death. That is what a priest ought to be; ... better still; he should feel that he is safe beneath the power of the Almighty; and be like a general who maintains perfect calm while shot, shell, and death, are flying around him in every direction. Good God! what have we to do with peace? Peace will never be yours. ... Talk of peace to men who are conquerors! ... Was it not said in a celebrated harangue:--"We are the first soldiers ... and yet they come to talk to us of peace!" The priest is a jeopardized, a sacrificed man, dead to the life of this world, to whom it has been said:--"Go and defend such a post, and die to save, not an army, but humanity." Be assured, then, that you will never have peace, because human passions will eternally war against you.