Page:Maria Felicia.pdf/222

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218
MARIA FELICIA

the noblest minds; it is the old faith of the Bohemian-Moravian Brethren. You, imperial master, being always busy with other duties, have not devoted much attention to the Bohemians; you perhaps do not know that this nation was the first to become enlightened with the spirit of liberty and truth; and these are your own guiding principles. For these the Bohemians poured out their best blood; they were the first warriors of the Holy Spirit.

“Trace the history of the nation to her former greatness, and you will learn what I have learned, that the nation was your forerunner in the cause of truth and liberty; that she fought for and aimed to accomplish what you are planning; that the same enemies that worked against her are rising against you; that as you have not been comprehended, so was her aim misunderstood. But you will succeed in time, you will complete the noble work which she began. She is the root, and you will be the crown of the tree of new liberty, new virtue, new faith.”

The young lady, in her enthusiasm, did