The Kaiser of
culture, meanwhile, has been working years and years in the erection and
establishment of a destructive organ of an immensity heretofore unknown,
in order to crush all Europe. The Russian is a humble Christian,
socialistic, democratic, thirsting for justice; the German prides
himself upon his Christianity, but is an idolator like the German of
other centuries. His religion loves blood and maintains castes; his true
worship is that of Odin;--only that nowadays, the god of slaughter has
changed his name and calls himself, 'The State'!"
Tchernoff paused an instant--perhaps in order to increase the wonder of
his companions--and then said with simplicity:
"I am a Christian."
Argensola, who already knew the ideas and history of the Russian,
started with astonishment, and Julio persisted in his suspicion, "Surely
Tchernoff is drunk."
"It is true," declared the Russian earnestly, "that I do not worry about
God, nor do I believe in dogmas, but my soul is Christian as is that
of all revolutionists. The philosophy of modern democracy is lay
Christianity. We Socialists love the humble, the needy, the weak. We
defend their right to life and well-being, as did the greatest lights
of the religious world who saw a brother in every unfortunate. We exact
respect for the poor in the name of justice; the others ask for it in
the name of charity.
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