“He violates the religious duties his faith imposes on him, knowing them only by the rare motions of a faithless conscience! Is he ‘honest’? If he believe not, his daily life is a lie; if he believe, he lives in ingratitude, and thus in violation of all the commandments of his Saviour. Again I ask, IS HE ‘HONEST’?”
“Monsieur,” interrupted Ernest, unable to restrain himself any longer, “you calumniate humanity!”
“Monsieur,” replied the officer, “it is not I, but the facts that accuse humanity.”
“He that proves too much, proves nothing,” exclaimed the honest worldling. “According to you, it is impossible to be an honest man.”
“Impossible!” replied the officer. “I am glad that you have undertaken yourself to draw my conclusion, viz., that it is impossible to be an honest man in God’s sight, unless he be a Christian. And mark, that by a ‘Christian’ I understand something less vague than is generally understood by it. A Christian, in the sense of the gospel, is not one who merely observes certain formalities, or recognizes certain truths, but one that manifests his faith by his works, combats sin and lives in the love of God and of his neighbor.”
“Then,” said another, “it is impossible to be a Christian.”
“Impossible?” answered the officer. “On the contrary, it is possible for all.”
“Where then are the ‘Christians’ as you understand them? I, at least, have not seen any.”
“Alas!” replied the officer, “this is perhaps; true, for narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it; yet there are some. And,” he added, with a glance at his uniform, “there are some even in the French army.”
The table d’hote presented at that moment a truly peculiar aspect. Ernest was leaning back in his chair biting his nails. Derville appeared plunged in deep meditation. The honest worldling made an effort at an affable smile. The commercial traveler shot from time to time furious looks at the officer. The collegian trembled as if in the presence of the head master. Each face expressed the sentiment which agitated respectively every one of the guests, according to his individual character. But on each face one could read the uneasiness which accompanies a false position, and at the same time an involuntary respect for the words of the officer.
“To conclude our discussion,” said he, “I believe then it has been proved that one cannot be ‘an honest man’, if one is not religious, i.e., a Christian.”
“In the way you understand it, no doubt,” said Ernest.
“And is there anything wrong in this way?” said the officer.
“It is exaggerated,” was the reply.
“For my part,” interrupted Derville, “I only find it strictly just; whatever it cost, I must own it.”
“Well, gentlemen,” replied the officer, addressing the company in a most affable voice, “my intention in this discussion was not to make an exhibition of my logic and to show that I am right, but together with you to seek the truth. Let me just add, that this quality of ‘an honest man,’ which you desire in every one, is exactly what Christianity demands of everyone. Your education, your prejudices, have probably led you into error. A Christian, a believer, a saint (names given to the same person) a saint means an honest man, honest towards God and towards his neighbor; one who does not neglect the duties imposed by the love of the Creator and His creatures. Every religion then is good, provided one is ‘honest,’ that is, provided one is a disciple of Jesus Christ, knows Him, loves Him, and keeps His commandments.”
“But, Monsieur,” ventured Derville, “how is one to become such?”
“With pleasure I answer that question,” said the officer. “Indeed, nothing is simpler. The thoughts I have put before you are not my own. I have found them in the Bible, in God’s own book, the book of truth. If you will seek there this truth so desirable, praying the Lord to pardon your sins, and to give you His Holy Spirit, without Whom you cannot receive the gospel, you will receive a new spirit to understand the doctrine of God and a new heart to keep it. But do not expect to become a Christian otherwise than by a new birth, an inward conversion. And above all, beware of seeking anywhere else but in the word of God what a Christian ought to be. All men may deceive themselves and deceive you, but the gospel does neither the one nor the other; and rest assured that what this gospel alone promises and alone can give, viz., true religion, true honesty in word, thought and action, you will obtain if you ask for it. But, believe me, gentlemen,” he continued, addressing himself to all his fellow guests, “you will have to exchange your adage, ‘Every religion is good, provided one is honest’ for this truth, ‘No religion is good which does not sanctify.’”
“All this,” replied Ernest, “was well and good three hundred years ago, but now Christianity has had its day.”
“Truth,” said the officer, “belongs to no especial century, but holds good at all times. That which was true eighteen hundred years ago must be true today. I am not speaking of human, but divine, Christianity, not of worldly religious forms and vain ceremonies, with which ambitious or ignorant men have suffocated true religion, but of that which passes not away, which has commenced here on earth and will continue in heaven throughout eternity. This religion can be expressed by one single word, Love! God’s love towards the sinner, for whom He gave His Son; the sinner’s love towards God, to Whom he gives his whole being; love of men on the part of those who have received Christ. This is the sum of that Christianity which exists still in its entirety and formed as set forth in the Bible. A Christianity which revives the soul stiffened in the death of sin, which purifies the heart, enlightens the spirit, awakens conscience, and restores man to his true sphere, where all his noble faculties can come into play.”
The dinner was over. Several of the guests arose, Derville approached the Christian soldier, Soliciting the honor of his acquaintance.
“It will give me great pleasure,” replied the officer. “Tomorrow if you wish, we may continue this conversation.”
(From the French)