Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-06-27

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Mr.. James Anthony Frouls'a eaaay on
'Scicnce and Theology" il continued in the
July August number Of the International Re-
view. Alter giving running commentary
on the LucrctiaD creed Mr.. Froude continues ::
| 1t would of course be prcposterous to pretend
That there was any general resemblance between
the state Of things under the Roman sovereign.
| ty and the present condition of Europe and
America. Then the whole civilized world was
held down under a single dcspotism. Now free
and powerful nations confront each other. each
jealous Of it's rights and resoluto to maintain
! them; each protesting 10 prefer honor to pros.
| pcritY. And yet in the long run the late OF
Dations is determined by the convictions about
! the nature and responsibilities of man which
are embodied in their policy and are entertain.
cd by the ablest thinkers, end everywhere, it
may be said, opinions are now protessed by
men whom We agree to admire, and are ac-
ccptcd by politicians as the rule Of legislation,
which recall the phenomena of the time when
the old order Of things perished, as if high
cultivation itself was like the blossomDg OF a
plant, tho final consummation of a long series
of past efforts which precedes great change.
The flower sheds its petals. Seed vessels De.
vclop 10 the place of it, from which, after
long winter, there arises new era.
The nations of modern Europe, like the car,
ly Greeks and Romans, formed their original
policy on religion. For centuries States and
individuals alike professcd to be governed IN all
that they thought aud did by the supposed rev.
claton which was given to mankind 1oOO
years ago. Avowed disbelief oft there was none;
OF secret, silent misgiVing there was probably
very little. For practical purposes that reveIa.
ton was accepted as fact as little allowing of
doubt as the commoEest phenomena OF
daily experience. The universal confidence re-
ccivod its first shock at the Reformation OF the
sixteenth century. Just as the original pagan
creed was made incrcd ible by the legends with
which it vas ovcrspryId, so Christianity was
ovcrgrown by iores of eztraVagant super
stitions. Conscience and intelligence rose in
revolt and tore theIn to pieces. For time all
was we'll. The weeds were gone; the taith OF
The carly Church was restored in its simplicity.
The HuSucnots 10 France, the Luthcrans ID
Germany, the 'uritans in Eogland aud Scot;
land were as absolutely under the lutlueoce OF
religious bs + az, the apostles and hrst con,
verts Providenec to them vas not form OF
speech, but !, living reality. The preamb les OF
the English act; OF Parliament referred always
to the will q i ie Almighty rs the foundation
Of human law,
The ca.a:tr )pbc Of the French revolution,
With the cnth ronemcnt Of the Goddess OF Rca
SOD, aprearc,i as the visible fruit of io!idclfy.
The English mind was terrified back out ot lts
uncertainties. and determined, reason or no
rea>oo that il would not have the Bible called
10 90 ss!ion. ii Vas decided that Hume had
beer sufficiently answered b. Lardner and
Pal y. The discussion was GOT 10 be rcOpenedi
and l,ogli:h middle lite returned for nearly halt
a century 10 the fixed convictions OF earlier
times.
Behind tie banner thus resolutely raised
catDc an fort u restore the luHaeoca OF re.
hginu On the heart and emotions. First there
was o prominent revival ot evangeilcal plety.
| As lie wava Of spiritual feeling lost lt5 torce
| il has been succeeded by superstition aud by
| les .irc.Ta and simple, but still ardent appeal
! to tradition aud Catholic principles. The Icakg
vcs.c has bat becu repaired, for repairs We're
| imro>sitc, tu. the chicks aud flaws IN her
| ,,aukug have bv~o tarred over and painted.
! Staincl windows have gone back into the
church,, aud The white light which Sut.
h2ei tax the SIMPLE, lrath loving Protestants
has been replaced by the enerVatlrg tiots So
dear 10 the devolional soul. Organs and chor-
iStcts. aitars and altar ornaments, fine clothes
and pr0cessioos, the mystery OF the real pres
cncc. in tie uaue OF which more crimes baVe
been parp@tratcd in Europe than can be laid 10
| the charge ct tn, bloody idol in Tauris-we
have them even now among us ~ iull ACTIVITY.
| The religious mGl has set itself with all tS
might to make Thugs secm what they are not
and turn back the river Of destiny TO its sacred
| fountains.
In vain. Practical lie has m4anwhiia gone
its way. The principles OF the once abhorred
Ffench Revolution have been adopted as the
rule ot political action, even lu conServatlSe
| Eo,lan&; and scotly. without nel:e or opposl'
ton, We have takan Jeremy Benthsm for cur
prscticll prophet, aud have sdnitted as com
pletcly as was sdmitted By Augustus Cesar, or
rrajap. thar civil Goyernmen. has 10 cblsci
beycnd the material welfare OF the people
The will ct God hsS 10 more place, even by
courtesy, in our moitrn statutes. Political
economy is the creed which governs the sctions
of public mcn; and poiliisa economy, by claim
iny 70 be so Interpretation or law OF nature,
disperseS WIKI Providence, while it ASSUMES IS
Al axiom thar the masses OF men are, have been
aud ever will be iptuencel By nothing else than
= consideration ot material Interest.
Are W il an age Ct progress: The income
tax decides. The staDiari ot human value bas
become asain what 1t Was under the Caesars,
and whicA Christianity came into the world t.
ieclar. tha. i. was not. People continue 10 q
10 CHURCH They conNnue3 then 70 60 to the
temples rh.y say their prayers in public, o.
perhaps in private, So they did then. The eiergS
pray irr ralu or hae weather, and On great &C
,sSianS such AZ the potato phpht tha arrh