The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1899-05-25

Pope. In the days of feudalism there
was in theory feudal monarchy by
which vassals and sub vassals we're linked
to the king, but this is for the most part
the dreams of speculative politicians.
Feudal chieftains were for the most
part independent and never acknowledged
one of their number as king. During
the crusades of the twelfth century mon
arcby assumed different form and under
Louis lie Gros, monarchy was neither bar
barian, religious nor imperial. Monarchy
1t has made the advocates of all forms of
monarchy contribute to the aggrandze
ment of the modern institution Modern
m onarchy comes before the people as pro-
tector OF public order and interests and
the bond OF society, and by obtaining the
support of society combines the strength
of the people with its own. 1t was the
monarchy of the twelfth century which
fused the numerous social elements into
| two great forces, government and people.
The ancient clergy, nobility and com
mons were each governed by different
laws, though dwelling together in the
same locality. All attempts to form a
nation out of these distinct and independ-
ent societies proved a failure. Modern
civilization is the result of the fusion of
these elements.
Though there may still be an appear
ance of classes, their existence is mere
| shadow, for they are all absorbed in the
State and subject to the same general
cient to modern history is filled with at
tempts at forming a nation from the an
Gent elements without changing tbe1
nature. The fruitless attempts at politi-
cal organi 1ation, the exhibitions of selfish
ness, tyranny, misery and human weakness
| form a melancholy spectacle. But the
| than his sutferings. Our knowledge will
still be incomplete unless We study the
errors and failures of men as we'll as then
virtues. The attempts at political organ
| ization at this time were of two kinds
| They either attempted to make the eIe-
ments of society subordinate to one OF
ity or free cities the preponderance of in
tiuence; OF they attempted to unite the
/ elements on conditions of equality, allow
ing each its due share OF influence. The
/ ii St class Of efforts were mostly of ty
Tannical nature in their execution, though
: some of them may have been originated
| ] he attempt OF the church to bring other
| elements under its control was doubtless
conceived in a spirit OF pure intention,
| but human weakness made it inexpedient
that such a principle should become es-
tablished. Every person should read some
good history of the Imperial Church, OF
the Barbarian Church, of the Feudal
| Church and of the Thecratic Church
In these days of cheap printing there is
no excuse for ignorance In the selection
of books the Bible may be placed at the
thorough exposition of nature. Religious
societies each claim TO be the only true
interpreters of Scripture, but the general
tendency is to oscillate toward the truth.
like all the movements Of society. But
son e bigoted sectarian books are but one
step removed from paganism as a ciyiliz-
ing influence. Every religious denomina-
ton is the representative of some princi-
! pie or some thought which it is commits
y stoned to bring before the world, but along
with that great fact or principle which
caused it to make little ripple on the
ocean of truth, it brings vast amount OF
! human frailty, AS an illustration, the
society of Friends or Quaker came into
existence for the promotion of peace and
suppression of pride. They also advo-
Gated a more direct communication of
man with God. Though most of the
! Bible is devoted to instructing us in the
ways of life, most other religious teach
ing is devoted to proving that Christ was
a sacrifice for sin instead of a teacher of
right living. The shedding of blood by
Jewish ceremonies may be regarded a
type of the death and sufferings of all
good men for the cause of truth, as well as
a type of the death of Christ. Any theo-
! logican who will tell us that the cruel
acts of the soldiers in crucifying Christ
were essential to our salvation, must have
| been well schooled in the principles OF
idolatrous nations. Such teaching is de-
rived more from heather nations and from
the imperfections of human nature than
| from the Bible.
One of the princi pie elements of Christ
ian character was a willingness to die in
/ defense of truth. Christianity welded
only the sword of the spirit and worked
/ only by the moral influence. 1t conquer
/ ed the souls of men by words alone From
the spiritual nature of the church it had
vast influence, but no power. Though it
sought TO establish theocracy, its dreams
We're never fully realized. In the found
ing of barbarian states on the ruins of