Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-28
CRITICAL STUDY OF HISTORY
Some Of the Reasons for Notorious Perver-
sions of Truth.
GlBBON CITED AS AN EXAMPLE
The ExaltatiOn of Paganism Mt the
Expense of fChristianity-Defec
Due to Skepticism-WhO
Can Refute Sneer:
IV.-(CONCLUSION.)

W.
4. The fourth cause OF false statements
in histories may be designated as a habit OF
crouching to the ruling fashion, or pandering
to the prejudices of the masses. Those who
have never watched the working of this
human foible can scarcely believe what
tyrannical control 1t exercises over our
public men. When a cause is unpopular
few dare say or write word in its favor.
And when the evidence Of the facts forces an
historian to make an admission in its be-
half, he feels himself bound at once to
profess his respect for the prevailing senti-
ment of his readers, and signify his agree
ment with their opinions, by inserting some
commonplace charge against the odious
party Many writer's avoid the necessity OF
apoogizing for unwelcome admissions by
never making any such admissions; they
simply suppress or deny the truth. But
those who have made extensive researches
among original documents, who are desirous
OF widening the sphere OF historical know
ledge for their readers, and who moreover
are conscientious enough to render justice to
an opponent, frequently are tempted to make
use OF evasons to avoid displeasing the
public for which they write. Among these
Henry Hallam holds u conspicuous place;
and therefore / will again take an example
from his learned pages. One of these find
in the volume called "The Students Hallam'
(chapter ix) The author there is forced by
the evidence of the facts to admit that not
only all learning, but even Christianity it
SELF was saved by the popes, the monastic
institutions and other features characteristic
of the Roman Catholic church, and against
which the reformation had been loudest In
its protests. He felt 1t would never do to
make the admission In such unequivocal
Language. 10
expression that learning and Christianity
were saved by religion as II was modified
In the dark ages" But even this vagueness
and the commonplace reference to the dark
ness of that period may not suffice to atone
for his liberal sentiments; SO he hits upon
the happy turn OF thought which could not
displease his most fastidious friends.
christianity has been preserved by means
of its corruptons." Anxious not to offend
present susceptibilities OF embittered men, he
does not perceive what an insult he Is Offer
ing to the Divine Founder OF Christianity by
maintaining that His church owed It's per-
petuity to evil influences. Christ had
promised that he would build his church
upon a rock and that the gates OF hell should
not prevail against 1t. But history. which Is
TO be the witness of ages the torch of truth
ETC., is here made to teach the nations that
Christ's church was saved by the fact that
the gates OF darkness had prevailed against
1t, that christianity has Been preserved by
means OF its corruptions,"
FOUNDATION OF HUMAN SOCIETY.
IT. as / sincerely believe, and as the
wisest men of all Christian denominations
maintain. the stability OF human society and
the perpetuity of our Christian civilization
rest upon the influence OF Chrlst's teachings
upon the hearts of the people the historian
is then recreant TO his most sacred duty and
unfaithful to his sublime vocation when he
makes history testify against the authority
OF Christ's words and ascribes the triumph
OF His influence to the peIversion of His
doctrine. Convinced as ! am. and as most
OF us are. that both truth and regard for
the highest interests Of individual and social
happiness demand deep reverence for tue