The whole chance of Right, and the whole theory of Liberty, springs from that part of man that lies beyond this life.
Henry Ward Beecher
The Public Record
Henry Ward Beecher was an American Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, and speaker, known for his support of the abolition of slavery, his emphasis on God's love, and his 1875 adultery trial. His rhetorical focus on the love of Christ has influenced mainstream Christianity through the 21st century.
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And this is the reason why a free, unobstructed Bible always works toward human rights.
It is the only basis on which the poor, the ignorant, the weak, the laboring masses can entrench against oppression.
It regards man not as a perfect thing, put into life to blossom and die, as a perfect flower doth.
He is in life for cultivation, not exhibition; he is here chiefly to be acted on, not to be characteristically an agent.
Though he produces effects, he receives a thousand fold more than he produces.
And he is to be estimated by his capacity of receiving, not of doing.
He has his least value in what he can DO; it all lies in what he is capable of having done TO him.
The understanding, the affections, the moral sentiments, all, are primarily and characteristically, recipients of influence; and only secondarily agents.
Now, how different is the value of ore, dead in its silent waiting-places, from the wrought blade, the all but living engine, and the carved and curious utensil!
Of how little value is a ship standing helpless on the stocks--but half-built, and yet building--to one who has no knowledge of the ocean, or of what that helpless hulk will become the moment she slides into her element, and rises and…
If he must stand by what he is, how surely must he be given over to weakness, to abuse, to oppressions.