But we must now consider an objection. It is, that Christianity is really a _selfish_ religion, looking only for future rewards, and teaching men to follow virtue, not for virtue's sake, but solely with a view to their own advantage. But this is an entire mistake, though a very common one. The Christian's motive, in trying to lead such a life as God wishes him to lead, is simply _love_. He has, as already said, an overwhelming sense of God's love to him. And though, doubtless, leading a good life will bring with it some future reward, yet this is not the true motive for leading it. Compare the case of a young child trying to please his parents simply because he loves them. It would be unjust to call this selfishness, though it may be quite true that the parents will do much for the child later on in life, which they would not have done had the child never shown them any affection. Nor, to take another example, is it selfishness for a young man to put aside a certain amount of his earnings for his old age, when he will be unable to work, though it will certainly be to his own advantage. Selfishness is having regard to one's self, _at the expense of other people_. But this does not apply to a Christian striving after his own salvation. The _Great Ambition_, as it is called, is one which all may entertain, all may work for, and all may realise. Still, it may be asked, is not the hope of future reward meant to influence men at all? No doubt it is to some extent. But what then? Hope is undoubtedly a powerful motive in human nature, and therefore Christianity, by partly appealing to this motive, does but show how fully adapted it is to human nature. It provides the highest motive of _love_ for those able to appreciate it; the lower motive of _hope_ of future reward for the many who would not be reached by the former; and we may add, the still lower motive of _fear_ of future punishment for those who could not be otherwise influenced. This objection, then, as to selfishness is quite untenable. (_C._) CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER RELIGIONS. We have lastly to consider the relation in which Christianity stands to other religions; since an argument against Christianity is often drawn from their _comparative study_. In far more ancient religions, it is alleged, we find similar doctrines to those of the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Atonement, and the Resurrection; and this is fatal to the claim of Christianity to be the one and only true Religion. But as to the doctrine of the _Trinity_, it is really unique. Some other religions, it is true, had a group of three gods; but this was merely a form of Polytheism. And though these gods were often addressed by the same titles, there does not appear to have been anything resembling the Christian idea of the Triune God.