Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-06
PROF. MOSES LECTURES.
THE ROMAN EMPIRE AND CHRIS
TIANITY's GROWTH.
The Initial Lecture of the University
Extension Proposition--A Lucid
and Scholarly Dis
course.

university extension within the reach
of Los Angeles residents would seem to
be fully assured, judging from the large
attendance at the opening lecture last
night, when the auditorium of the
Church of the Unity wns comfortably
filled with gathering of earnest, cul-
tured people, whose close attention was
the highest compliment the lecturer
could receive.
Prof. Bernard Moses is q gentleman
whose distinguished appearance would
attract observation anywhere. His fig
ure is tall and commanding, he has a
strikingly intellectual face, and his de-
livery is characterized by that quiet
ease and self-possession that distinguish
the man who is thoroughly master OF
his subject. AS professor of history and
political economy of the state. universi-
ty, he enjoys the reputation of being
one of the foremost men and one of the
most advanced thinkers among the fac
ulty.
The series of lectures which he has be.
gun will cover the history of modern
Europe, and the first three discourses
comprise the history of the Christian rev.
olution, that of last night being devoted
to sketch of the history of the Roman
empire and of the events that led up to
the Christian revolution. By way of
preface, Professor Moses stated that it
remained for the nineteenth century to
institute and develop method of criti-
cism in history, which has produced such
remarkable results as to make this age
scarcely less prominent for it's historical
researches than fol its scientific investi-
cations. History recounts not merely
the struggles of humanity for existence
and growth, but at the same time seeks
to represent the nature of that existence
and growth, to explain the means en-
ployed to judge of the ends sought; and
to render an account of those thoughts,
emotions and aspirations which stand as
forces in human progress.
History as whole is the epitomized
story of a comparatively small part OF
the human race. The student con-
Germs himself mainly with the
two great races - the Aryan and
the Semitic. After short re-
view of the monarchies of western
Asia and lucid description of the rise
of free Greece, the lecturer gave, an
eloquent description of the power that
was rising on the Italian peninsula, des-
tined to stretch it's arms over the world
and draw all nations within their folds,
the little kingly state passed into the
all-conquering Roman republic which
was transformed into an imperial des-
potism. The imperial government
lasted somewhat more than 500 years.
Going back from the present, a number
of years equal to the duration OF the
Roman empire, we are brought into the
middle ages to time when scholasti-
cism was the dominant system OF
thought, when the world was conceived
to be fiat surface and America was un-
discovered, and when men were igno-
rant of the arts and sciences that have
ameliorated modern society. This
Roman period of 500 years was then
swiftly covered by the speaker in euc-
cinct review, in which the lie and
character, the religion and philosophy,
the ethics and the politics were consid-
cred. and the panorama of events made
to pass before the minds Of the atten-
tive listeners.
.'In the course of time" concluded
the speaker, "there arose in the empire
a new society, small in it's beginnings,
despised and prosecuted. which gradu-
ally gained power ana lnHueHCc uht1i az
last, after the empire had fallen before
the barbarian hordes of the north, it
came to be the determinative element OF
western civilization. This was the asso-
citation OF those who sought to propagate
the religion of Christ. Christianity ap-
peared in the empire at a time charac-
terized by mingled scepticism and cred
ulity, by the degradation of ancient
creeds and by the loss of old ideals.
Christianity as opposed to stoicism sup
piled what was wanting. 1t was Q
religion without local limitations. 1t
was adapted to all classes and appealed
in the strongest manner to the religious
instincts of human nature and held out
all the attractions Of a sympathetic
worship. 1t gave new significance to
human life, and those nations whose
spirit it has moulded have led in the
race of social progress and stand today
in the forefront OF the worlds civiliza-
tion." aa
The next branch OF the subject will be
taken up by Professor Moses tomorrow
night at the same place, the lecture title
being The Invaders of the Empire.