拉法叶特和罗伯特·雷克斯

Thomas S.Grimke'，1786—1834，an eminent lawyer and scholar，was born in Charleston，South Carolina，graduated at Yale in 1807，and died of cholera near Columbus，Ohio.He descended from a Huguenot family that was exiled from France by the revocation of the edict of Nantes.He gained considerable reputation as a politician，but is best known as an advocate of peace，Sunday Schools，and the Bible.He was a man of deep feeling，earnest purpose，and pure life.Some of his views were very radical and very peculiar.He proposed sweeping reforms in English orthography［1］，and disapproved of the classics and of pure mathematics in any scheme of general education.The following is an extract from an address delivered at a Sunday-school celebration.

It is but a few years since we beheld the most singular and memorable pageant in the annals of time.It was a pageant more sublime and affecting than the progress of Elizabeth through England after the defeat of the Armada；than the return of Francis I.from a Spanish prison to his own beautiful France；than the daring and rapid march of the conqueror at Austerlitz from Frejus to Paris.It was a pageant，indeed，rivaled only in the elements of the grand and the pathetic，by the journey of our own Washington through the different states.Need I say that I allude to the visit of Lafayette to America？

But Lafayette returned to the land of the dead，rather than of the living.How many who had fought with him in the war of '76，had died in arms，and lay buried in the grave of the soldier or the sailor！How many who had survived the perils of battle，on the land and the ocean，had expired on the deathbed of peace，in the arms of mother，sister，daughter，wife！Those，who survived to celebrate with him the jubilee of 1825，were stricken in years，and hoary-headed；many of them infirm in health；many the victims of poverty，or misfortune，or affliction.And，how venerable that patriotic company；how sublime their gathering through all the land；how joyful their welcome，how affecting their farewell to that beloved stranger！

But the pageant has fled，and the very materials that gave it such depths of interest are rapidly perishing: and a humble，perhaps a nameless grave，shall hold the last soldier of the Revolution.And shall they ever meet again？Shall the patriots and soldiers of '76，the “Immortal Band，”as history styles them，meet again in the amaranthine bowers of spotless purity，of perfect bliss，of eternal glory？Shall theirs be the Christian's heaven，the kingdom of the Redeemer？The heathen points to his fabulous Elysium as the paradise of the soldier and the sage.But the Christian bows down with tears and sighs，for he knows that not many of the patriots，and statesmen，and warriors of Christian lands are the disciples of Jesus.

But we turn from Lafayette，the favorite of the old and the new world，to the peaceful benevolence，the unambitious achievements of Robert Raikes.Let us imagine him to have been still alive，and to have visited our land，to celebrate this day with us.No national ships would have been offered to bear him，a nation's guest，in the pride of the star-spangled banner，from the bright shores of the rising，to the brighter shores of the setting sun.No cannon would have hailed him in the stern language of the battlefield，the fortunate champion of Freedom，in Europe and America.No martial music would have welcomed him in notes of rapture，as they rolled along the Atlantic，and echoed through the valley of the Mississippi.No military procession would have heralded his way through crowded streets，thickset with the banner and the plume，the glittering saber and the polished bayonet.No cities would have called forth beauty and fashion，wealth and rank，to honor him in the ballroom and theater.No states would have escorted him from boundary to boundary，nor have sent their chief magistrate to do him homage.No national liberality would have allotted to him a nobleman's domain and princely treasure.No national gratitude would have hailed him in the capitol itself，the nation's guest，because the nation's benefactor；and have consecrated a battle ship，in memory of his wounds and his gallantry.

Not such would have been the reception of Robert Raikes，in the land of the Pilgrims and of Penn，of the Catholic，the Cavalier，and the Huguenot.And who does not rejoice that it would be impossible thus to welcome this primitive Christian，the founder of Sunday schools？His heralds would be the preachers of the Gospel，and the eminent in piety，benevolence，and zeal.His procession would number in its ranks the messengers of the Cross and the disciples of the Savior，Sunday-school teachers and white-robed scholars.The temples of the Most High would be the scenes of his triumph.Homage and gratitude to him，would be anthems of praise and thanksgiving to God.Parents would honor him as more than a brother；children would reverence him as more than a father.The faltering words of age，the firm and sober voice of manhood，the silvery notes of youth，would bless him as a Christian patron.The wise and the good would acknowledge him everywhere as a national benefactor，as a patriot even to a land of strangers.He would have come a messenger of peace to a land of peace.No images of camps，and sieges，and battles；no agonies of the dying and the wounded；no shouts of victory，or processions of triumph，would mingle with the recollections of the multitude who welcomed him.They would mourn over no common dangers，trials，and calamities；for the road of duty has been to them the path of pleasantness，the way of peace.Their memory of the past would be rich in gratitude to God，and love to man；their enjoyment of the present would be a prelude to heavenly bliss；their prospects of the future，bright and glorious as faith and hope.

Such was the reception of Lafayette，the warrior；such would be that of Robert Raikes，the Howard of the Christian church.And which is the nobler benefactor，patriot，and philanthropist？Mankind may admire and extol Lafayette more than the founder of the Sunday schools；but religion，philanthropy，and enlightened common sense must ever esteem Robert Raikes the superior of Lafayette.His are the virtues，the services，the sacrifices of a more enduring and exalted order of being.His counsels and triumphs belong less to time than to eternity.

The fame of Lafayette is of this world；the glory of Robert Raikes is of the Redeemer's everlasting kingdom.Lafayette lived chiefly for his own age，and chiefly for his and our country；but Robert Raikes has lived for all ages and all countries.Perhaps the historian and biographer may never interweave his name in the tapestry of national or individual renown.But the records of every single church honor him as a patron；the records of the universal Church，on earth as in heaven，bless him as a benefactor.

The time may come when the name of Lafayette will be forgotten；or when the star of his fame，no longer glittering in the zenith，shall be seen，pale and glimmering，on the verge of the horizon.But the name of Robert Raikes shall never be forgotten；and the lambent flame of his glory is that eternal fire which rushed down from heaven to devour the sacrifice of Elijah.Let mortals then admire and imitate Lafayette more than Robert Raikes.But the just made perfect，and the ministering spirits around the throne of God，have welcomed him as a fellow-servant of the same Lord；as a fellow-laborer in the same glorious cause of man's redemption；as a coheir of the same precious promises and eternal rewards.

译文　TRANSLATION

托马斯·S·格里姆克是一位著名的律师和学者，1786年生于南卡罗莱纳州查尔斯顿，1807年，毕业于耶鲁大学，1834年，于俄亥俄州哥伦布市附近死于霍乱。格里姆克真挚、热诚、纯真，他的一些见解非常激进和独特。譬如，他主张全面改革英语正字法及在普通教育阶段不讲授经典名著和纯数学。

距离上次我们目睹历史上最瑰玮、最难忘的游行庆典只短短数载。那次盛典比击败无敌舰队后伊丽莎白女王巡行全英，比弗兰西斯一世从西班牙监狱重返他美丽的法兰西，比奥斯特里茨战役后拿破仑从弗雷瑞斯果敢、迅捷地回师巴黎还要庄严，还要撼人心魄。的确，那次盛典之恢宏磅礴之荡气回肠只有华盛顿之转战各州差堪比拟，我有必要说出我这是在隐喻拉法叶特的美国之行吗？

但拉法叶特回到的与其说是生者的国度不如说是死者的家园。多少和他在1776年独立战争中并肩作战的战友已在炮火中牺牲，长眠于士兵或水手的墓园！多少在陆地或海上的厮杀中得以生还的幸存者已在和平的床榻上，在母亲、姊妹、女儿、妻子的怀抱中溘然而逝！那些在1825年与他一同参加独立战争五十周年庆典的幸存者已饱经沧桑、皓首华巅；他们中很多人羸弱多病，很多人贫困交加、穷途潦倒。而这群爱国者是多么可敬；当他们从四面八方聚集而来，那场面是多么壮烈；他们那么兴高采烈地欢迎着这位可爱的异乡人，而与他的惜别又是那样令人唏嘘！

但盛大的庆典已结束，那令人兴致盎然的一切正迅速凋零：一个简陋的、甚至无名的墓茔将收留独立战争中这最后一位士兵。他们将会重逢吗？那些爱国者和那些独立战争中的士兵，他们同被历史命名为“不朽者”，他们会在不朽塔、会在那无瑕的纯真、完美的至福与永恒的辉煌中相遇吗？他们的重遇之所将是基督徒的天堂与救世主的王国吗？异教徒将极乐世界视作士兵与圣者的乐园。但基督徒却以泪水与叹息跪拜，因为深知这些爱国者、政治家，这些基督教国家的勇士中很多人并不是耶稣的门徒。

现在，我们从拉法叶特这位新旧世界的宠儿转向那位平和仁厚、没有显赫成就的罗伯特·雷克斯。让我们设想他在世时访问我们国家并和我们一同庆祝这个日子的情形。我们国家没有为这位以星条旗为傲的国宾提供舰只，载着他从朝阳初升的海滨到落日西沉的沙滩；也没有礼炮为他鸣响战地的铿锵，尽管这位幸运者曾奔走欧美为自由呼号；没有军乐欢迎他，以那响彻大西洋沿岸、回荡在密西西比河谷的欣悦欢迎他；没有仪仗队做他的前导，引他走过人头攒动的街道；没有彩旗如潮，羽饰如海；没有军刀耀眼，枪刺夺目；没有哪座城市召集名媛士绅在舞厅、剧院欢迎他；没有哪个州陪他走遍全境，更没有州长向他致敬；没有颁给他像贵族的领地和王侯般的财富作为国礼；也没有在国会大厦向这位国宾献上国家的敬意；没有以哪艘战舰来纪念这位恩人的伤痕与英勇。

罗伯特·雷克斯没有得到那样的礼遇，这清教先驱者的国度、这潘恩的国度、这天主教徒的国度、这骑士的国度、这胡格诺教徒的国度没有给罗伯特·雷克斯那样的礼遇。但谁又会因无法那样欢迎这位淳朴的基督徒、主日学校的创办人而介怀呢？他的先导是宣讲《福音书》的布道者，是以虔敬、仁厚、热诚著称之人；他的队列里都是基督的信使、耶稣的门徒，是主日学校的教师与白袍的学者；至高者的圣殿是他胜利的图景。敬意与感激归于他，正如赞美与感恩归于上帝。

父母们敬他过于兄长；孩子们尊他多于慈父。老者、壮者、少者以或战抖，或严肃，或清脆的声音赞他为基督守护者；智者、善者都以他为国家的恩人，即使对陌生人的国度也充满挚爱；对珍爱和平的国度，他是和平的信使；迎候他的人对他的回忆中没有对垒、没有攻击、没有厮杀、没有死者与伤者的挣扎、没有胜利的欢呼、没有庆祝的游行。他们会为并未休戚相关的危险、磨难、灾祸哀痛，因为对他们而言，责任之途是喜悦之路、和平之道。他们对过往的记忆令他们更感恩上帝，更爱人；他们对当下的欢愉是天国至福的序曲；他们对未来的展望是璀璨、光明的信念与希望。

作为勇士，拉法叶特得到了他的礼遇；作为基督教会的保护者，罗伯特·雷克斯也将得到他的尊崇。他们两人谁是更高贵的恩人、爱国者、慈善家？人类可能更钦佩、赞颂拉法叶特而不是那位主日学校的创立者，罗伯特·雷克斯；但宗教、博爱与开明的智慧一定认为罗伯特·雷克斯胜过拉法叶特。他的诸多美德源于更持久、更高贵的存在秩序，他亦为之奉献、牺牲；他的训谕与业绩是永恒的，不会为时间磨蚀。

拉法叶特的声名属于此世；而罗伯特·雷克斯的荣光则属于耶稣永恒的天国。拉法叶特主要为他的时代而活，为他的和我们的国家而活；而罗伯特·而雷克斯为千秋万邦而活，也许历史学家和传记作家永远不会把他的名字织入国家或个人贵显的挂毯，但每个教堂都会尊他为保护人，在人间一如在天国，普世的教会都将敬他为恩人。

某一天，拉法叶特的名字将被忘记，他声望之星将不再闪耀于天极，而变得黯淡、微弱，落向天际。但罗伯特·雷克斯的名字却永远不会被遗忘，他的荣光是永恒之火，温柔而光明，永享以利亚的祭奠。让凡人们去更多地钦佩和效仿拉法叶特吧，但完美的义人、上帝座前的守护天使们会欢迎罗伯特·雷克斯，把他视作与他们一样的侍奉上帝的仆人——他们共同为完成人类救赎这一壮丽事业而劳作；他们承继着同一个珍贵的期望与永恒的酬报。