The Messenger of Death Passed by

on the next day. If that had happened in favour of some Methodist preacher they would have clearly seen, not simply the hand of God, but both hand. In this country, at least, he would have ranked with the proudest names. On the anniversary of the declaration his name would have been upon the lips of all orators, and his memory in the hearts of all the people.

Thomas Paine had not finished his career, He had spent his life thus far in destroying the power of kings, and now he turned his attention to the priests. He knew that every abuse had been embalmed in Scripture—that every outrage was in partnership with some holy text. He knew that the throne skulked behind the altar, and both behind a pretended revelation from God. By this time he had found that it was of little use to free the body and leave the mind in chains. He had explored the foundations of despotism, and had found them infinitely rotten. He had dug under the throne, and it occurred to him that he would