At her command, wherever she has been duly acknowledged, many of the evils of life have already fled.

The prisoner of war is no longer led into the amphitheatre to become a gladiator, and to imbrue his hands in the blood of his fellow-captive for the sport of a thoughtless multitude.

The stern priest, cruel through fanaticism and custom, no longer leads his fellow-creature to the altar, to sacrifice him to fictitious Gods.

The venerable martyr, courageous through faith and the sanctity of his life, is no longer hurried to the flames.

The haggard witch, poring over her incantations by moon-light, no longer scatters her superstitious poison among her miserable neighbours, nor suffers for her crime.
But in whatever way Christianity may have operated towards the increase of this energy, or towards a diminution of human misery, it has operated in none more powerfully than by the new views, and consequent duties, which it introduced on the subject of charity, or practical benevolence and love.
Men in ancient times looked upon their talents, of whatever description, as their own, which they might use or cease to use at their discretion.