Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-01-22
ART IN RELIGION.
An Outline Sketch.

marked Cne line OF similarity running
through the hlstoryo of each. In pagan
lands, from the earliest antiquity, art
was chained to the car of idolatry and
found its highest expression in the por-
trayal of scenes from the lives OF
heather gods and heroes. Seldom, in
deed, lid it rise to the delineation of
higher themes than the love sentiment
and the martial spirit.
But when the dawn of christianity
dispelled the illusions of the ancient
pagan days, the artistic element was re-
deemed from it's sensuous traldom. Art
then became the loving handmade Of re-
ligion, and has since lent it's beautiful
ministries as a charm and solace to the
true believer.
The earliest manifestation of the ar
tistic principle was in the lowest form Of
architecture, which sought expression in
the adornment Of altar pieces and the
construction of symmetrical houses Of
worship. This art has kept pace with
the growth of the church and the vari-
Gus epochs of it's advancement are
shown in the gradual enlargement of the
olden temples to the magnificent cathe-
drals of the present.
1t is but a step from the poetry Of
form to that of color, and from the
creation of these massive shapes of
beauty, the architects were led to recog-
milton of the lighter grace of stained
windows and colored mosaics. Interior
walls were adorned with pictures
of saints and symbolic represen-
tations of Christ and the apostles,
likewise the force of creative genins,
allied with the christian idea, was early
shown in rude carvings in stone of ideal
figures and representation of biblical and
sacred cen From this humble origin
has grown the divine art of sculpture
that in modern times has reached it's full
perfection in marble forms that shine
with the light of eternal beauty.
But the Unborn love of the beautiful
and sublime, that is the natural instinct
of pure souls, could not rest content with
the more outward personlfication of
Christ and his chosen ones. Hence
came that nobler quality of mind to dis
Germ subtler lines that distinguished the
d~ivinely spiritual from the more
humanity beautiful. Soon on imperish-
able canva were wrought in fadeless
colors those masterpieces of the world,
that glow with all the poetic grace and
fervor of the artist souls who painted
them.
Through all the viscissltudes and
changeful growth of the twin
arts Lof painting and sculpture,
the fostering hand and shield
of the church was about and beneath
these most gifted of her many servants,
while they sought in the gloom of clois-
ters with brush and chisel to preserve for
future ages, her a. Gent traditions, and
to keep alive the memory of her martyrs
and her saints. In this inspired work of
her monastic artists is preserved the
trues evidence of her ancient glory Art
is the true exponent of religion. I have
seen pictures that more than any book
I ever read, more than any sermon I
ever heard, spoke the divine word,
and emphasized more clearly the truths
of holy writ. Two of these 7 recall at this
moment. Who that has ever looked upon
that wondrous painting of the martyr
dom of st. Bartholomew that hangs un-
der the gloomy south transept of the
cathedral of Milan will ever forget the
awful lesson it portrays. Another that
/ have often in mind is the "Death of St.
Sebastion," that formerly hung on the
west wall of the Corcoran art gallery in
Washington. I have spent hours before
that painting, not alone, because in its
grand figure, it's warm glow of color and
it's fidelity to nature it Satisfies fully the
artistic sense. There are piteous wounds
on the strong limbs, but the shining face
of the expiring martyr speaks exultantly
of faith triumphant in the midst of hide
DUE death. No spoken sermon, no writ
ten argument could demonstrate half so
forcefully the truthfulness of the souls
Immortality as that last ray of fading
consci BUSINESS shot from those fast-clos-
ing eyes as though the departing soul
had caught a glimpse of divine glory and
left the countenance illumined with
heavenly light. That picture was to me
an inspiration. Oftentimes, when wearied
with the glitter of gay crowds; when dis
gusted with the hypocrisy and heartless-
ness of the many who profess religion as
a cloak for %evil-doing, and especially
when vexed by the doubts that will ill.,
truce at times in a mind trained to crit
ical habits Of thought, I have felt that
all thing vera of the earth earthly and
been tempted to believe that the future
held naught beyond the alternate pleas
ure and pain of the present life. When
depr Ell by such feelings I had only to
I I1~lr $500 -