96. The Religion of Cain
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"Am I my brother's keeper?"
THE time has been, it seem'd a precept plain
Of the true faith, Christ's tokens to display;
And in life's commerce still the thought retain,
That men have souls, and wait a judgment-
day;
Kings used their gifts as ministers of heaven,
Nor stripp'd their zeal for God, of means which
God had given.
'Tis alter'd now;—for Adam's eldest born
Has train'd our practice in a
selfish rule,
Each stands alone, Christ's bonds asunder
torn;
Each has his private thought,
selects his school,
Conceals his creed, and lives in closest tie
Of fellowship with those who count it blasphemy.
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Brothers! spare reasoning;—men have settled long
That ye are out of date, and
they are wise;
Use their own weapons; let your words be strong,
Your cry be loud, till each
scared boaster flies;
Thus the Apostles tamed the pagan breast,
They argued not, but preach'd; and conscience did
the
rest.
Off Sardinia
.
June 19, 1833.