Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-08-04

paganism to religion at first contemned
and reyiled, and that was the object of scott
ing by nesrly all of the dominating classes.
In the enc case the transition was effected
gradually and not without a division Of
the Roman Empire, and it brought about
ultimate unity through the patience, dip
iomacy and sincerity Of Constantine. In /
the other it was the result Of autocratic !
decree. But in this day any such method
will be modified by the eivilizing spirit,
of the age, and therefore viii not be sig
nalized by any violent resolution, or the
disturbance of progressive marches. The
example of Russia will he found scarcely
parallel with that Japan may furnish, yet
it is the most striking instance in history
of change of State religion by imperial de-
cree from paganism te Christianity.
Vladimir the Russian SAINT was a wor-
skipper of idols, ard his people were the
slaves of pagan superstition. He chose
Feodor try lot for human sacrifice. The
latter's father was Christian Varagian,
Knocked the heather and defed the mon
arch, declaringth God of the Greeks to be
the only true God; but his courage availed
him nothing and both father and son died
martyrs to Christian Iaith. From their
blood, Vladimir's fame as warrior and
the courage and devotion of Christian
Greeks sprang events of mighty moment
for Russia. The teachers of all great re-
igions sought Vladimir to lay their cree2s
before hlm. After many shrewdly-con-
Quoted and hot contests with the
priests and advocates, all of whom
he heard and most of whom
he confounded, he gave patient ear tc the
story of the Greek Christians 1t is
probable that he was influenced in this
direction by the example Of his grand
mother, Olga, who had been con-
yerted to Christian faith at CONSTANT
| Enople in 955. He resolved finally, as
a matter of policy, and not from spiritual
conviction, that the Christian religion
promised the best results to him and his
people, and was most likely to aid his am
bilious designs. He accordingly promised
to accept the faith, but signalized his res
olution by merciless acts and assaults. Be-
sieging Emerson, the crafty ruler made
n vow to be baptized if his arms were tri-
umphant. The city was overcome, but the
| heartleSs warrior attached as condition
to peace and his conversion the hand of
Anna, sister of Basil H. The Greek En-
peror consented but unwillingly, how
ever eEcusing himself by the acquisition
of Vladimir to the army Of the cross
When Anna, accompanied by priests and
bishops, reached Vladimir he was suffering
from sudden blindness. The prelates laid
hands upon him in baptism and his sight
was restored. He then declared that he
was indeed, converted, and at once decreed
the overthrow of the idols, the establish
ment Of Christianity as the religion of the
State and under threat Of his anger, babe
his people embrace the new faith. They
being docile, careless as to results, the
entire nation suddenly became Christians,
and with speed and unanimity not paralleled
in history abandoned the stone and
wooden idols for the unseen God and
the faith of Christ followers. The
Russian Prince proved true to his
new belief, became sincere in his
devotion to the faith, and from 4
voluptuary, a worshipper of idols,
cruel pagan warrior, he became one of
the wisest, most gentle and benefcent OF
monarchs, laboring to elevate his people,
to cultivate art tastes, to enlarge COM
merce, to promulgate good laws, admins
ter exact justice, and to surround his
! people with the atmosphere of all civil
izing influence then possible to be ccm-
manded. Dying, he left record i'm
perishable in Russia, was canonized, and
to this day the loyal Russian esteems the
name of Vladimir as the synonym for all
that is good
In Japan, absolute monarchy as it Is no
such turning of the nation is possible by
royal decree, but the effects may not be less
beneGcent, even If the merely polite is the
underlying motive, since christian nations
--so-called-stand the foremost in pro-
gressive marches, in intellectual power,
mechanical ingenuity, and the achieve
ments of human skill If the Imperial
ediet is issued in Japan as expected, tolera-
ton will be as absolute as here, since the
age of intolerant Christianity has passed
for any effective ends. The London Spes-
tator, referring to this proposal by Japan,
believes that the effect of the promulga-
ton of the decree will be to stimulate
inquiry among the japanese, and lead them
to accept as matter of faith that which is
first accepted as matter of law; that tn :
result of the decree will be, also, to change
the basis of japanese legislation, substi-
tuting Christian for a pagan system, and
that we may see in this proposal, therefore,
the wisdom of the politicians who look at
religion simply as an instrument in the
lde~elopment of the State