It seems impossible to misunderstand the language of Christianity on
this subject. Undeniably it affirms its right to exercise universal
dominion. It takes cognisance of all human action, extends its
scrutiny to motives and feelings, and allows no condition, employment
or exigency to raise a barrier against its entrance as the messenger
of God to deliver and enforce his commands. It has one and the same
instruction for all men, whether they live in palaces or wander
houseless, whether they are versed in tongues or are rude of speech,
men of science or men of handicraft, subjects of a monarchy or
citizens of a republic; to them all it says, Hearken and obey--walk by
faith--lead holy lives--fulfil all righteousness. Even if this be
called by the unbeliever the pretension or the arrogance of
Christianity, he must admit that the claim which it sets up is as
broad as human existence. Wherever the religion of the New Testament
can reach a man, over him it asserts its authority. No place so
public, no spot so private, no situation so humble, no office so high,
that Christianity will not rise to its eminence, descend to its depth,
penetrate its seclusion, occupy its position, and still reiterate the
same language,--speaking as one having authority, because it speaks in
the name and in behalf of the Almighty. From the first has it advanced
this claim of unlimited empire; its prerogatives change not with the
mutations of society. It still shows a charter of "divine right" for
the sovereignty at which it aims. It still claims, as it always has
demanded, and ever will demand till it shall acquire, dominion over
all classes,--from the slave of toil to the heir of a throne, from the
pauper whom the charity of the State supports to the Ruler by whom the
majesty of the State is represented.

It is important however that we have right conceptions of the nature
of this dominion. Christianity, as we have noticed, aims at exerting a
control over the motives, feelings and unseen life. It asks not for
outward deference, but for inward submission. The conscience, the
heart, the will must bow to its authority. A respect which lies on the
surface only of the character, or which glides from the tongue like
the schoolboy's recitation of a few well-conned sentences, is not what
the Christian owes to his religion, nor what it will accept in place
of that homage of the soul which is the only proof of an insight into
its nature. Strange that men