"THE GERMAN CHARACTER AND BRITISH APATHY." [To TEE Enzroa or
THE "SPECTATOR."] Sm,—In your issue of July 27th your contributor "Z." utters in burning words the sentiments that many of us have been turning over within our hearts ever since Germany threw aside the mask. We had grown so accustomed to the "tolerant" attitude of our modern Christianity that we looked askance at the "hard say- ings" of the Christ, and viewed the "intolerance" of Paul as foreign to the Gospel spirit. Of the unrepentant man Christ said : "Let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican"; while Paul enjoined: "With Ruch an one, no, not to eat "; or, " Keep no company with that man"; or, "Let him be unto thee anathema." And this attitude of stern separation from evil is undoubtedly divine. Therein is nothing harsh or unlovely, but rather the desire that, in the good old words, they "may be brought to repentance and live"—repentance that being ashamed of words is expressed in a change of life and actions. " If I have• taken from any man wrongfully I restore unto him. fourfold'," It is the fourfold restoration that marks the true change of heart. Of our duty towards our enemy, it is written that we are to feed him "if he hunger," and. "if he thirst" to give him drink. And such actions on our part are in no way incompatible with the "separation" and "intolerance" which form so vital a factor in the life of Christ. "Be ye not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good," enjoins the voice of enlightenment and wisdom. And we have yet to understand that " good " may even include the sword, by which "they that take the sword" shall perish.-1
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