Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-10-06
Christianity as Factor in Civiliza-
tion-Part l.
from The Jetersonian, by ]. L. LODGE,
d. D., Editor.

d. D., Editor.
In the discussion of no theme was it ever
more necessary to thoroughly understand
the significance and force of words. The
names civilization and Christianity have
been so long and so loosely employed to des.
ignate associated ideas that it seldom occurs
to question the character and extent of the
one, or the actual agency of the other in its
production. Without devoting any partic-
ular section to elaborate argument, it is
hoped that progressive analysis and frequent
comparison may elucidate some small irag-
ment of the truth most nearly related to the
destiny of universal humanity. The die
tionary meaning of Civilization"
barbarity, citizenship as concomitant or con.
sequence-has cost Infinitely to attain more
difficult yet will it be to realize the better
definition OF Burke, that civilization is pos
session of the spirit of gentleman, and the
spirit of religion. The purpose of the Author
OF society is now seen to have been fixed
the agnostic centuries, whether in sustained
evolution or intermittent throes, have been
the revelators OF the principles and actions
ordained to effectuate the constant inten.
ton Auxiliaries, major or minor in the
scale of importance, have been subject to
the one controlling influence capable of sub.
jugating the brutal to the humane, OF restor-
ing pristine control of nous over SdrC, of
utilizing faculties original Tor the benefit of
self and neighbor, and, specially, indicating
both the wisdom and benevoence of the
creative act. 1t would be presumptuous
and rash to date the beginning of human
improvement from the Christian era. The
art productions of Greece, the legislation of
Rome, the literature of both, to seek no
fAFlhar nj
guilty, confute the thought, The present has
not recovered, the future probably shall not
regain the power to conceive, nor the dex-
trous ingenuity to create and endue with
life, the ideals of their cultivated fancy
The superiority which now actually exists
In particulars is immeasura0ly due to light
absent from their armament; to an infiu-
ence which, while, doubtless, unwittingly
or with only partial understanding affect
ing their concepts and performances, now is
recognized as the energizing force, the laud
ed and reverenced impulse in deeds most
valiant, most benevolent, most beneficial to
the race.
From its composition, the term "Christian-
iiy" should convey loftiest ideas, should ex
press the most subimated thought, should
be an epitome of all most glorious records
No word in the vocabulary is more mean
ingess to day and exact philosophy, equal.
lY with correct theology, would do well to
condemn it to irrevocable obsoeteness.-
Using the word in the sense given it in the
books, we glance at the part enacted by the
sentiments included in the title. Putarch
considered Alexander divinely commits.
stoned to fuse Greek and barbarian through
the medium of culture. The critical his
torian sees how the mingling of Hellenic
and Jewish thought was preparatory to the
planting OF Christianity. Could the mighty
invader have foreseen that all his conquests,
as well as those of Rome, were to subserve
that one great purpose, he might have re.
strained tears shed over the lack Of other
worlds to conquer. Three hundred years
before the advent, the storm of battle anti
cipated the heraldic cry of the wilderness
messenger, "Prepare the way for the Lord. !"
TIE results of this preparation were seen
In the civilizing effects OF Christianity which
had in it more than name. That same
realty is ever potent; the shadow, though
boosted, is futile.
The greatest interest we feel in Uonstan-
tine is gendered by his relation to Christian
ity. His conquest of barbarian territory, his
agency in repeating or rendering inopera
tive the anti Christian edict of Galerius, his
consolidation Of the East and the West into
that yet bears his name, are so many cir
cumstance seen now to have been favorable
to the establishment of at least "a nominal
Christianity, and, 30 necessarily procuring
the outward show of progress toward con
ditlons proper to civilized communities.
But the character of the dedication OF By,
zantium, his new capital, and the establish
ment OF state religion, are sufficient to show
that OF the genius of true religion he was
Ignorant, and, by so much, incapable of in
huencing the true advancement of his en-
pire. II any proof were wanted OF the in
adequacy of a dead and formal system as
the foundation for progressive enlighten
ment in ethical science, and resultant mo
rality, ii lies in the fact that no mean part of
that great kingdom is at this hour dominated
by ideas which, though not distinctly heath
en-, are yet in deadly antagonism against the
doctrines of the cross, holding the popula
ton in q state of barbarism, little, II any
better than that from which Constantine is
credited with having delivered that land. A
non partisan inquirer will be likely to con
clude that as personal equation In the
moral problem the emperor amounts TO but
little, his reputed conversion having been
doubtless brought about by superstitous
belief in an appearance easily applicable by
astronomy. AS a statesman, his sagacity
was marked, even 10 that shire wdness which
utilized a nominal conversion to the perfect
ing OF political schemes differing, so far,
from some politicians OF our day, who do
not deem II necessary TO cloak their deviltry
under a profession OF religion. The one
prominent fact is that through his admins
tration OF government, he made IL possible
for what leaven there was to root itself, and
influence specifically the political and so
cial status Of the people. II is not possible
TO recognize the important influence upon
civilization some profess 10 see In the rela
ton of Constantine 10 the Christianity of
that day Perhaps they have regarded the
matter in the same light as thousands at the
present. who require nothing Of the essence
If the appearance be preserved, and pretend
belief that what they profess and perform
ID religion, and that IL has influence on the
moral nature Of men In either civillzing or
reforming them. The Christianity OF Con
stantDe was probably no better and no
worse than the nominal thing we see and
hear In no study do we need more To
heed the caution Of Carlyle 10 "eeparate truth
from Mysteries, or, in other words, reduce the
fever of enthusiasm by the application of
cool facts. And facts stand forth in full
size and strength only after there has been
ample time for investigation and judgment.
Historians OF the future will show that much
now going forward in the name OF civliza
ton was high handed robbery and cold
blooded murder.