"Know this, that every soul is free
To choose his life and what he'll be,
For this eternal truth is given,
That God will force no man to heaven.
"He'll call, persuade, direct aright--
Bless him with wisdom, love, and light--
In nameless ways be good and kind
But never force the human mind.
"Freedom and reason make us men;
Take these away, what are we then?
Mere animals, and just as well,
The beasts may think of heaven or hell."
{283}