I arose
slowly, crossed with a firm step over to the black-frocked one, and
asked him, "Do you know, sir, who Jesus Christ was, and do you hold Him
in any particular esteem?" Quite nonplussed by my firm and quiet address
he stammered out, "Certainly, He is God the Son, and we must all honour
Him and believe on Him, if we are to escape everlasting damnation." I
continued, "Then perhaps you can tell me whether Christ was a Catholic
or a Protestant?"
The black-frock was silenced, the crowd stared, and presently began to
applaud. The priest made off, and I was left in peace. My question had
answered better than a long speech.
In Eduard Pfyffer I found an estimable sterling man of humane and firm
character. He started from the fundamental principle that it was of
little use freeing the people from this or that special superstition,
but that we should do better by working for the future against sloth
of thought and want of independent mental character from the very
bottom--namely, by educating our young people. Therefore, he set
great store by our undertaking. And when I told him of our downcast
spirits and the absolute danger in which we lived at the moment, he
replied:--"There is only one way to ensure your safety.
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