It has been said that every reformation passes through three stages: the first, when it meets with sneer and silent [202] contempt; the second, when it has made such headway that the contempt turns into alarm and consequent bitter opposition, controversy and persecution; the third, when the movement has in measure succeeded and the opponents say, "That's nothing new at all--we have been teaching this all the time," on which follow recognition and overtures of peace and alliance. The last of these three stages is by far the most dangerous. When the evil genius saw he had failed to stop the mountain brook with great stones and obstacles, he prepared a smooth, wide sand plain, which, when the river struck it, spread out its flood at its ease in every direction and was swallowed up and lost. So shall it turn out to some in this foolish generation. The fathers fought hard for pure, primitive Christianity; and the sons, some have stagnated over the victory, and others have suffered themselves to be wheeled into alliance and compact with their former foes. And such alliance is nothing but surrender.

[TAG 202-203]