But even in the rough old times there always were a few at least,
men and women, who were above the rest; who, though poor people like
the rest, were still true gentlemen and ladies of God's making.
People who kept themselves more or less unspotted from the world;
who thought of what was honest and pure and lovely and of good
report; and who lived a life of simple, manful, Christian virtue,
and received the praise and respect of their neighbours, even
although their neighbours did not copy them. There were always such
people, and there always will be--thank God for it, for they are the
salt of the earth.
But why have there always been such people? and why do I say
confidently, that there always will be?
Because they have had the Bible; and because, once having got the
Bible in a free country, no man can take it from them.
The Bible it is which has made gentlemen and ladies of many a poor
man and woman.
The Bible it is which has filled their minds with pure and noble,
ay, with heavenly and divine thoughts.
The Bible has been their whole library. The Bible has been their
only counsellor. The Bible has taught them all they know.
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