ABSTRACT
The aim of Christianity is: to promote a love of the whole business of the observance of duty. It succeeds in this, because its founder does not speak in imperious accents, demanding obedience to his will, but in the tone of a friend of men, urging upon his fellows the conduct which they would choose of their own free will, if they were true to the dictates of their understanding. When Christianity promises rewards, according to the liberal way of thinking this must not be interpreted as an attempt to bribe men to good living; for in the latter case, Christianity would be lacking in love toward itself. It can only claim men's respect if the actions it requests from them are such as spring from altruistic motives; but without respect there is no true love. Therefore this promise should not be taken as implying that the rewards are to be the motivating factor of the actions.
