So with everything. Below me prayed Christian and Jew,
Mohammedan and Brahmin, idolater and agnostic. Why was one man different
in this way from his fellows? Because he was born so, because his parents
were so, because he was bred so, because it seemed natural and convenient
to remain so, --custom and environment had made his religion. Because
Jesus Christ dared to attack their existing customs and beliefs, the Jews,
then powerful, first reviled, then feared, then slew him; because the Jews
could not honestly say, 'I believe this man to be a God,' they were hurled
from their eminence and dragged, living, for centuries in the dust. And
yet why? Because God withheld and still withholds from this little band
the power of believing in Christ as his son. Christians call this a wilful
weakness; Jews call it strength. After all, who is to be praised or blamed
for it? God. Then instead of beating the Jew, and instead of sneering at
the Christian, let each pity the other; because one, I know not which, is
weak, and because the other, I know not which, is strong. I left the
building; I came upon the street. I felt like saluting every one as my
brother. A little ragged child touched me, and as I laid my hand upon her
curly head, the thrill of humanity shot through me.
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