Page 36 - 15 The Bible and the French Revolution
P. 36
lands in which they found an asylum. And in
proportion as they replenished other
countries with these good gifts, did they
empty their own of them. If all that was now
driven away had been retained in France; if,
during these three hundred years, the
industrial skill of the exiles had been
cultivating her soil; if, during these three
hundred years, their artistic bent had been
improving her manufactures; if, during these
three hundred years, their creative genius
and analytic power had been enriching her
literature and cultivating her science; if their
wisdom had been guiding her councils, their
bravery fighting her battles, their equity
framing her laws, and the religion of the Bible
strengthening the intellect and governing the
conscience of her people, what a glory would
at this day have encompassed France! What a
