Softly, friend.  We do not like that gleam in your eyes.  Perhaps we had better stop here.  If you cannot bear the probe, let us put on the bandage again.

“I am not afraid of the probe, sir.  Go on.”

The name Christian includes all human perfection, does it not?

“Yes, and all God-like perfection in the human soul.”

So we understand it.  Now the fundamental doctrine of Christian life is this:—­“As ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them.”

“Faith in Christ is fundamental,” you answer.

Unless we believe in God, we cannot obey his precepts.  The understanding must first assent, before the divine life can be brought into a conformity with divine laws.  But we are not assuming theologic ground.  It is the life to which we are looking.  We said “The fundamental doctrine of Christian life.”

“All doctrine has relation to life, and I contend for faith as fundamental.”

We won’t argue that point, for the reason that it would lead us away from the theme we are considering.  We simply change the form of our proposition, and call it a leading doctrine of Christian life.

“So far I agree with you.”

Then the way before us is unobstructed again.  You asked us to show you authority in the Bible for saying that a man cannot be a Christian who is not a gentlemen.  We point you to the Golden Rule.  In that all laws of etiquette, so called, are included.  It is the code of good breeding condensed to an axiom.  Now it has so happened that our observation of you, friend objector, has been closer than may have been imagined.  We have noted your outgoings and incomings on divers occasions; and we are sorry to say that you cannot be classed with the true gentleman.

“Sir!”

Gently!  Gently!  If a man may be a Christian, and not a gentleman at the same time, your case is not so bad.  But to the testimony of fact.  Let these witness for or against you.  Let your own deeds approve or condemn.  You are not afraid of judgment by the standard of your own conduct?

“Of course not.”

And if we educe only well-remembered incidents, no offence will be taken.

“Certainly not.”

We go back, then, and repeat the law of true gentlemanly conduct.  “As ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them.”  You were at Stockbridge last summer?

“Yes.”

And took supper at the hotel there, with a small company of strangers?

“Yes.”

There was a dish of fine strawberries on the table, among the first of the season.  You are fond of strawberries.  They are your favorite fruit; and, as their rich fragrance came to your nostrils, you felt eager to taste them.  So you counted the guests at the table, and measured the dish of strawberries with your eyes.  Then you looked from face to face, and saw that all were strangers.  Appetite might be indulged, and no one would know that it was