The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-02-24
PHASES OF civilization.
The Universal Empire Belongs to
God Alone.

1.-The act of civilization, or the state
OF being ciVilize1, refinement, culture. I"
Webster.
"Our manners, our civilization and all
the good things connected with man
ners and with civilization, have, in this
utOpian world of ours, depended for
ages upon two principles. mean the
spirit of gentleman and the spirit of
religion. "-Burke.
The question of civil alton bee omes
the more interesting as we study it's diff
ferent phases. From the definiti ons
rs given above and the results as found
IN the customs of modern society, it is
but too manifest that the civilization of
the nineteenth century lacks very much
That constitutes pure civilization.
Webster views it as ref aement, culture.
Burke gives broader view and attrib-
ntes all good connected with civilization
TO two principles, gentlomanly deport-
ment and the influence of religion. If
closer analysis be made we might be
persuaded that religion would be found
to be the primal principle, the first
great force in the civilization of man.
This principle began with man, and led
him to recognize higher or perfect be.
ing in the person of God, who has al
ways been accepted as the true expon-
ent of perfect civilization.
The Eastern and Western civilization
are distincGin character and origin. The
present generation of men claiming
identity with the Western civilization
and participation in the christian sys-
tenn, deny the Eastern civilization as
being admissible, either in religion or
morals. It might be well to ask what
has been the nature of education in al
past ages. There appears to have been
Two distinct systems, held up to the
mind of men. The first system was of
divine origin and presented full and
complete revelation of God and man,
and the nature and condition of the
physical universe. In this revelation
was inserted laws for the perpetuation
and proper deYelopmentof the physical
and spiritual nature of man, and might
DO termed the positive system. The
second system was of human origin
and presented the views and ideal no.
tons and speculative doctrines of men
In reference to God and the nature of
the physical universe. tbs but natural
to suppose that man when left to him :
self and his own reflections, would make
msny and grave mistakes, hence, the
two civilizations or systems have come
down to US in antagonism to each other,
and there appears as wide a difference
between the two to-day, if not wider,
Than has ever existed before. The pos
tive system taught the doctrine of unity
TO be paramount and above all others;
the hnO1Qn qUofaTn fonnbf ho
OF Schism and divided interest and
the shedding of human blood as nee
essity for Ithe main tainence of human
authority. The positive system ad-
Vocated the establishment of peace and
equality; the human, for the establish
nent OF discord and class distinction.
The hrst used moral suasion, the sec
ono, physical force. A large majority
OF men have striVen to prove their own
theories, and to establish the doctrine
Of supremacy, without supreme being,
which is impossible; hence the struggle
for universal empire, by ambitious men
and nations. This will never be OBJ
tanned, as universal empire belongs to
God alone; therefore, where there is no
positive law to direct and control the
mind and acts of men. they are left to
wander IN doubt and frequently in de-
hO WV Clf1IlL5LlOuS SuOW us
nnct design. The first claims that God,
the creator of all things visible and
invisible Ito MANI, is the founder of a
system the paramount object of which
IS unity, followed by equality and fra
tsrnity, and all that is essential for
mans good. 1t inculcates love for God
Rnd obedience to eternal law, linked
with love for man and devotion to the
interest and rights of others, and the
maintenance Of just balance in all
the afflirs of human life, and declares
that these qualities must prevail if man
hopes 20 reach his high destiny-to be
come like God in nature and attributes.
Taking this view of civilization, We are
boRnd to recognize all that is (truly)
American as the effects of the divine
government, and to perpetuate our
heayen-born institution we must resist
every attempt made by men or nations
10 divert the national mind from its
solemn duty, in sustaining truth and
defending the common rights of man.
The American nation has, by the use
of the national franchise, decided to
change the policy of the national ad-
ministration. There should now be
bat one hope, one 6eJire, that should
prompt the national heart to action. If
1t be possible let the incoming admiuis-
tration feel that the nation at large will
respond, heart and soul, to every legal
demand made upon it to sustain our
institution and national honor. Let in
4eTnal strife be superseded by the effort
rs to who Can best serve the common
interest, and if after four more years of
experience We discover any mistakes
re can as American treemen, correct
she same. We cannot however, but
believe that the future greatness of this
nation must centre in American dem
ocracy which will be maintained by the
good and true of all parties
VERITAs.