The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-07

empire and new and richer era.
We do not make the mistake which
IL too often n,ade-we do not cut oil
the Reformation forces and their results
from the history of one continuous cause
The Reformation was but An episode in the
history Of Western Christianity. Unlimited
power is good; but unlimited power is danger
GUS. Unlimited power had become the
property of the Church, and was already, un-
the Church's ruin. The Reformation came in
time to save the Church, or rather to save
Christianity; for Christianity is, after all, =
something separable from churches. The
Reformation is generally supposed by good
Catholics and good Professionals alike to have
been disturbing and, in some respects, de-
structiye revolution. II broke up the idea of
unity but revolution is better than death,
and vital difference of opinion is in
fnitely better than tame uniformity. For
been all but dead. The Reformation
checked the progress Of decay. To the
force which has ever since been inseparable
from Reformation principles and to the new
life which reformers infused into Catholicism
we owe all the prominent characteristics of
modern Christianity, or, rather, of modern
civilization. We know nothing of isms. We
wish only to speak Of Christianity. After
eighteen, well nigh nineteen, hundred years
Christianity same Christianity which
IL. Al -
imperial Rome-not only lives, but lives as the
controlling force oil modern civilization. The
acorn has already become an oak the little
cloud, like mans hand, has all but covered
the heavens; the stone cut from the mountain
not ouly rolls. but is irresistible. The religion
of Jesus has often suifered-suffered from foes
without, suffered from woud-be friends with
in-but all opposition, all disturbance, all re-
sistancc has but contributed to one result, and
that result, if 1t cannot now be called triumph,
can certainly he called success.
What is there in The modern world which is
worth preserving which is not in some sense
the product of Christianity What is there
in the modern world OF which we have any
80 r-.mr .-..- n w ~ = 40
origin or in It's main characteristicsS Abso-
luteiy nothing. Speaking from worldSSsdA
point Of view, Christians are yet in the minor
ity. Who can deny, however, that the world.
in all its length and breadth, is virtually under
Christian control? The steam engine il ours
the railroad is ours; the telegraph Is ours
the printing press is ours. All that these
agents can do-and what can they not do?--
the principles to which Christianity has given
birth or which have been developed under her
shadow. We march on to victory Moham-
mechanism, Buddhism, Brahminism and all other
isms that anywhere may find place and
power must yield aud bow the knee az we ad-
vance. The car Of Christian triumph rolls on.
Those who will not make room for it
and follow and worship must submit
to be destroyed. In her eonquering progress
she offers but two lternatives-submissio or
death. Those who will not become Christian
must perish. We see this truth illustrated
now in our own country, in Australia, in
Africa aud elsewh ere and what is true now
will be more and more true of the swift
marching times of the Fastening future. ''He
shall have the heather for His inheritance and
the utterrnost parts Of the earth for His pos
session - Ellis dominion shall be from sea to
sea and from the river 10 the ends of the
earth. Such Is specimen Of the language
in which the ancient Hebrew seers-men full
.,,,Jx
of the higher and nobler dispensation. Why
will not Jews begin to learn that the triumph
of Christianity, now 10 near, will be their
triumph? Christianity, the religion of the
despised Nazarene, marches on with rapid
steps to universal empire; but the eyes Of its
first opponents are still darkened and they
cannot, or rather will not, zee.
WHAT NEXT Last week we had ire
mendous nor'easter, striking In from the Gulf
Stream as far down ms Georgia, and spread
ing over all the country between the Atlantic
and the Rocky Mountains and far up into the
British domiuions. The main column passing
through the Atlantic States was charged from
the Gulf with the elements of heavy thunder
storm which went flashing and rafting along.
amidst rain. hail and snow, from tue Carolinas
to Nova Scotia. II was followed by the usual
cold snap Of sharp nor'westcr, and by bril-
liant display in these atitudes OF The auroral
lights Of Alaska, the predominating color being
green. Yesterday there was genial soften
ing Of the atmosphere and a thickening over
head indicating the brewing Of another
nor'eastcr or sou'westcr, with perhaps touch
OF hurricane or general food. After all
these nreteors, earthquakes, foods and torns-
ought to be, for almost anything in the cata-
logpc on the shortest notice. In fact, since
the annexation OF Alaska and Stewards treaty
for 81 Thnmns the old rules and nntinns of the