f
the sinless one. Down in the grave the young priest made an orifice,
so that persons afflicted with any disease could reach down and touch
the bones of the sinless one. Hundreds were thus cured, and persons
left their crutches as testimonials to the miraculous power of the
bones of the sinless one. Finally the priest became so rich that he
thought he would visit his old master. He went to the old monastery
with a fine retinue. His old master asked him how he became so rich
and prosperous. He replied: "Old age is stupid, but youth has thought."
Later on he explained to the old priest how the donkey had died, and
how he had raised a monastery over the bones of the sinless one; and
again reminded him that old age is stupid, but youth has thought. The
old priest exclaimed: "Not quite so fast, young man; not quite so fast.
Don't imagine you worked out anything new. This shrine of mine is
built over the bones of the mother of your little donkey."

We have now reached a point in the history of the world when we know
that theocracy as a form of government is a failure, and we see that
theology as a foundation of government is an absolute failure. We can
see that theocracy and theology created, not liberty, but despotism.
We know enough of the history of the churches in this world to know
that they never can civilize mankind; that they are not imbued with the
spirit of progress; that they are not imbued with the spirit of justice
and mercy. What I ask you tonight is: What has the church done to
civilize mankind? What has the church done for us? How has it added
to the prosperity of this world? Has it ever produced anything?
Nothing. Why, they say, it has been charitable. How can a beggar be
charitable? A beggar produces nothing. The church has been an eternal
and everlasting pauper. It is not charitable. It is an object of
charity, and yet it claims to be charitable. The giver is the
charitable one. Somebody who has made something, somebody who has by
his labor produced something, he alone can be charitable.

And let me say another thing: The church is always on the wrong side.
Let us take, first, the Episcopal church--if you call that a church.
Let me tell you one thing about that church. You know what is called
the rebellion in England in 1688? Do you know what caused it? I will
tell you. King James was a Catholic, and notwithstanding that fact, he
issued an edict of toleration for the Dissenters and Cat