The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1872-03-07
Christiani+y, TIE Genfxss sc Re
+ ssa.ssss' So Eorna.

Christi .nity, III, Genius cr ne.
| ss's7' ssssas forna.
Each Gnristrnaa anniversary recssf's to d.
As people. the nativity ot the pnrest, NOS
thorough perfect Reforiner, humanity haa
known. Ages awaited his coming, and cen.
turtles have indicated their highest expecta
non. II there is one life among I'LL the chi.
dren of Zen which can compare with his il
wisdom, usefulness and per ection. it Is III,
known to the world. The profoundest IeB.
sons Of the Talmud, the Koran and tile Zen.
da-yesta, as well as the teachings Of Socrates,
Plato and Gonfucius, are lost in the deeper
broader, higher philosophy Of the founder ol
Christianity. RI other teachers ln4ependaht-
" proved that disinteresredness Ii Iii essen
tlal condition III effecting general good. II
was reserved FOR the science OF tie world ts
demo strate that complete reform aiid iiil-
ending progress are attainable cldy in the
spirit of selfabnegation. truth ssssl loFe. ii
is here where human effort is Lost II the ai-
vine; where good is doae solely for the sake
of good; where a cause et. q country is saved,
though at the cost. if necessary, of the very
life Of its saviour. 54zs5s,s..ss# Il.
n Under the purest system of human gov
erninent. the lust of Gain. tie longing for
place. and ambition sor power, are apt To ssti-
fie the, voice OF conscience even with the
thoughtful and sincere. The. trouble il that
human pride. declines to sacrifice the inaivid-
nal. The wonder is that th0se most pro-
ioundly convinced of the efsieacy aud nabil-
,ity of religion, withhold from it the Just
homage OF their lips. as well as tie entl;usi-
astn Of their lives. nv f7.s sa VI x.s
" Nevertheless. it isa significant feature oil
the times that authors, Journalists and states
men more freely and fu II aYow their recog-
nifion of a divine agency in the affairs of
men, whether acting independent oI or
through human instrnmentality. Formerly
the rensic orator seldom did mere than to
suggest 20 his attentive hearers the poss bic
of an unseeli power presiding over
the -destinies ot nations, allowing the restless
fancy of the more, deyout. pending come rhet-
oric pause. to wing its way. for the moment.
into the pIlrer realm of the supernatural and
the mystic. To-day, the increased circulation,
the profounder. more habitual study OF the
word of God, as a work OF inspired pliloso-
ply and as guide OF life, are producing
their natural fruits. Where,tlle student asks.
Can anything revive the vitality of France
save peace. and the abandonment OF inebriety
and licentiousness ?" He pays. though per-
haps unconsciously, a tribute TO Christianity:
for what else does the history Of civilization
attest but that nothing can either revive or
save a fallen nation or q fallen soul, except
religion ?
!. When our reformers keep in mind the gem
orally admitted truths that Christianity is tbs
law Of this land, and that the Bible il the
word OF God; when they conform their prin-
ciples and plans to it's saered teachings, then,
but not till then. will their endesvoas culmi-
nate in results lasting and giorioa fer al es-
sential reforms. civil and political, must
spring from radical. spiritual reformation.
Says Charming: ''In this advanced con-
lition of the world, Christianity, instead OF
osing its application and Importance. is found
q be NOR more aud mo e coongenlal I. and adapted
g mai nature ana Wants 6F
says Webster: Whatever of excellence
. wrought into the soul Itself belongs to both
worlds. A man with no sense OF religions
luty is out of his proper being, out of the
circle OF al his duties, out of the circle OF all
lis happiness, an q az, far, far away from
he purposes OF his creation" s4 ay5ay Sd
& Says washington: LET us with caution
indulge the supposlt'oln that morality can De
maintained without reilglon. Whatever 81 may ay
oe conceded 20 the influence Of refined cal-
;ation on minds q peculiar structure, res-
'on and experiences both forbid us to expec1
hat national morality can prsyail IN exelu-
ion OF religious principle. IL ss.4ss ..5f szl5
Away, then. with those men and cliques OF
men, self-styled leaders or Initiative re
ormers" who, in their several fields Of ae-
iyity. exhibit qualities at once selfish, sordid
md co rupt; who. in poll les, IN the club, III
rade, in society, IN the press, IN the halls OF
egisi .tion. and even IN schemes OF benevo-
ence, are eviuently active only the deeper 70
li1H some EffAinp-aTe governed clearly 5T