In his passion for the Scriptures as containing the words and will of God, he rose above all national distinctions, and from the higher plane of citizenship with the whole world, he dared look forward through the troubled times in which he lived and utter those noble words, which await even yet their full accomplishment: "I am assured that the truth of the gospel may indeed for a time be cast down in particular places, and may for a while abide in silence; but extinguished it never can be. For the Truth itself has said: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall never pass away." Which he may read that binds the sheaf, Or builds the house, or digs the grave; And those wild eyes that watch the wave In roarings round the coral reef. -Tennyson. |