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Democracy and religion : a study in Quakerism / by G. von Schulze-Gaevernitz
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Swartbmore Xecture.

Revolution equality is proclaimed as a universalhuman right with an emphasis very disquieting toits opponents. The demand means not merely thesecuring of a formal equality before the law, but alsoequal opportunities of education and property. Itmeans for the privileged classes, for the rulers ofbirth and wealth, nothing but a revolt of slaves,to be smashed by those who have the arms in theirhands. But it wins its cause, when it becomesvictorious in the hearts of the rulers, their bestsons proving deserters. The Bastille is conqueredfrom within.

(3) It would be a great error to suppose thatmodern democracy in its original sense sought onlythe rights of the individual as comprised in theconceptions of Liberty and Equality. It alsomeant Fraternity , or, as we say to-day, Solidaritythe third of the " rights of man " of the FrenchRevolution. " Fraternity " in its medieval sensethe expression surviving in the University lifeof Americameans a community guided by theprinciple : all for each, each for all. In such acommunity, the individuals are members of onebody, they live and work for the whole thoughwith different gifts and vocations. If one membersuffers, all members suffer (1 Cor. xii.). Such asocial unit is the bearer of a value, co-ordinate withor even superior to that of the individual. Thisconception has been realised to a certain degree inthe medieval guild ; it culminated in the medievalconception of a world embracing Empire and auniversal Church as trustees of the political andspiritual unity of mankind.