The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-08-11
THE PROMISE AND THE PERIL
-, OF. CHRISTIE NIFTY

The first condition of the success OF
Christianity is free discussion. That
point has at last. been nearly reached.
In most parts of the world the gospel is
now freely proclaimed Russia and Aus
tria being the chief exceptions.) Pro-
testant churches are now being organized
In Turkey in Persia, in India, in China,
In Japan, in Siam, in Egypt, in Italy,
Spain, France, Mexico, South America,
Madagascar, and in most of the countries,
sewage or civilized, of the world. The
missionary spirit of the Church was never
SO active. The Bible has been translated
into many tongues. The construction of
railroads has been commenced in Asia
and Africa, European science has pene-
trated into India and China. The field
is now truly the world. The utterance
of the name of JESUS CHRIST every first
day Of the week travels now with the
sun In its circuit around the globe. The
spires of Christian churches begin to
pierce the sky in every cline.
This ought to be to every Christian the
earnest of final triumph. There are those
who sometimes feel alarmed as the battle
RACES at home, and as the columns seem
to waver to and fro under the fierce as
saults of the unsanctifed culture and
science of the day. This is one of the
inevitable Accomplishments of the very
activity of thought and widespread spirit
OF discussion to which we have referred.
1t is the very essence of Professionalism
to lear nothing and to challenge every
thing. 1t is, moreover, one of the fea-
lures OF the march of Gods providence
that Its advance is slow, and that it's posi-
tons are gained amid the smoke of bat
tie Often since the fathers fell asleep.
Its standards have seemed to 90 down.
Yet steadily its conquests have been null
tiplied, and the foundations of its empire
as the ages have succeeded have been
sunk deeper and deeper. From the fires
of persecution in the early centuries the
Church came forth with renewed bright
ness and vigor. After the night of the
Middle Ages, she broke her chains like
giant in the Reformation. In England
she rose with renewed life under the lead
of Wesley from the torpor that had al
most bound her in death for century.
In Scotland she arose with like vigor in
the revival that has characterized the
past sixty years, following upon the reign
OF modernism and embellishments
which prevailed during the first quarter
ofthe century. In Germany the storm Of
Rationalism and metaphysical scepticism
has swept the churches of Luther for
nearly century almost with the bosom
OF destruction. In France, the Reforma-
ton extinguished, that lovely land has
been given over to unbridled infdelitv
on the one hand and the most unenlight-
ened superstition on the other. The end
of this reign of doubt seems to be nearing
in Germany. The flame of Protestant
ism is rekindled in France. In italy
the educated classes have lost their faith
in the Papacy, and Protestant churches
are springing up in all the large cities.
Error ceases to be dangerous when
Truth is left free to combat it." This is
the pledge Of victory as the battle RACES
now far and wide over the realms Of
Christendom, and even in conflict with
the venerable and subtle metaphysical
systems of India.
In the progress of Free Thought amid
the intense activities of the present age,
it is not strange that great clouds darken
the sky. The battle has assumed pro-
portions which it never reached before
except in the conflict of Christianity with
Paganism in the third century, and the
organization and the leadership and the
weapons of the army of the aliens" are
to-day superior to what they were in pre-
vious centuries.
Is there any faint heart which doubts
the result? The strength Of the attack
has already expended itself One battery
after another that has been planted on
the heights Of German speculation has
been either checked or silenced. The
navv attach F,o~o r. - II