Meanness of spirit

and the origins of decency.

​"... ​​the distinguishing characteristic of the Rev. J. C. Taylor [of Oberlin College c. 1841 - KB ], is ​meanness of spirit, a trait which no amount of Christianity removes ... and all that​ ​is generous, noble, straight-forward, honest, and sincere which we see in Christians, is to be accounted to the nobleness of their natures,​ ​or to some associations or circumstances foreign to their creed. They are generous, amiable, &c., not in consequence, but in spite of their creed.​"

Gilbert Vale
Beacon 2:15 Third Series
24 February 1844​
p. 119