The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-12-26
Our Christian Heritage.

1t affords us much genuine pleasure to
acknowledge, although tardily, the re-
ception of Cardinal James Gibbons re-
cent valuable contribution to the field
of literature, "Our Christian Heritage. )
IL work that, although just out, has met
with the most unbounded approval of
the literati and of the reading and think
ing public as we'll. Cardinal Gibbons is a
hitherto well known and forcible writer
upon doctrinal subjects. His Faith of
Our Fathers is a notable instance that
has been read, doubtless, by many anti
Roman Catholics as well as otherwise.
The radical characteristic, however, of
Our Christian Heritage" is that it is
not polemical. 1t deals with none of
the religious controversies that have
agitated the Christian world since the
sixteenth century From the start to
the finish of the book, we are impressed
beyond measure with the kindly, broad
ly humane spirit animating the purpose
of the author. and illuminating every
page, nay we might say, every sentence
of its pages. 1t really does seem to af-
ford him the most unaffecte. and in
genuous pleasure to be able to rest on a
common platform with the ancient an
tagonists of his faith, as indeed he is
well able to do from the nature of his
theme. No less are we struck with the
iberality of the authors views upon
each subject handled. and with the fear
less manner in which he gives them
voice. In urging the paramount dis
tinction between virtue and vice and
asserting the pre-eminent superiority OF
Christianity over Paganism, no undue
vehemence of argument is used but
simply facts are presented, well estab-
lshed by reason, historical evidence and
science, and then the irreligious and the
atheist is asked to look upon this pic
ture and upon that. Dealing primarily
with the fundamental truths underlying
Christianity, such as the existence, the
providence, and the omniscience of God,
the Immortality of the soul, and the es-
sential distinction between moral good
and evil. the comparative influence of
Christianity and Paganism upon NOR
rails, and the comparative condition of
society in its many different phases
under the same, receives logical and
exhaustive treatment under his very
fluent pen. The chapters entitled What
Christianity has done for Woman" and
the Laboring Glasses, are especially at
tractive divisions under the latter head.
The chapter on The Iaboring Glasses, is
one of the finest expeditions of that sub
ject that we have ever seen. While in
manifest sympathy with the hardy sons
of toll in all their pursuits, and recog-
nizing that they have rights to be vim
Dictated and grievances to be redressed,
he makes it none the less emphatic that
there are also sacred obligations to be
fulfilled and dangers to guard against.
The chapter closes with an affectlonatn
and lofty exordium urging the efficacy
to the laborer of the golden virtues of
patient industry, economy and self
denial. contentment and sobriety, and
last but not least. religion. A most
interesting chapter, likewise sets forth
potently the five great evils that strike
at the root of American civilization :
Mormonism and divorce, the imperfect
and vicious system Of education, the
desecration of the Christian Sabbath,
election frauds, and lastly, the procras-
tination and subterfuges employed in
netting out Justice to criminals.
Taking it all in all, 'Our Christian
Heritage is most intrinsic production
and one that should be in the hards of
every intelligent reader. Not an insig
nificant charm of this work is the lucid
style in which it is written, and the
courtly attitude which pervades it like
a rich perfume towards all conditions
and classes of men of whatever creed or
faith.