Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

viiiAUTHOR'S PREFACE.

satisfy me; but were they clear as the day, what change would they effect in me ? Man, whether fallen by sin, or standing as nature placed him, is a soldier forcibly enlisted at his birth, and never discharged until death ; and, even then, the believing Christian only changes his bonds. A prisoner of God, — labour and effort are the law of his life; cowardice appears to him like suicide, doubt is his torment, victory his hope, faith his repose, obedience his glory.

Such is man in all ages and in all countries; but such, above all, is man civilised by the religion of Jesus Christ. It may be said that good and evil are human inventions. But if the nature of man engender phantoms so obstinate, what is to save him from himself? and how is he to escape that malignant power of internal creation, of falsehood if you like, which exists and abides within him despite of himself and of you, and which has done so ever since the commencement of the world ?

Unless you can substitute the peace of your conscience in place of the agitation of mine, you can do

nothing for mePeace ! No, however bold you

may be, you would not dare to pretend to it! — and vet, peace is the right and the duty of the creature rationally endowed ; for without peace he sinks below the brute: but,— О ! mystery of mysteries ! for you, for me, and for all — this object will never be attained by ourselves: for whatever may be said, the whole realm of nature does not contain that which can give peace to a single soul.

Thus, could you force me to assent to all your audacious assertions, you would only have furnished me with new proofs of the need of a physician of souls —