Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-10-13
Christianity as a Factor in Civiliza-
tion-Part 2.
From The JeferSonidn, by j. l., LODGE,
d. d., Editor.

neighbors TO be conciliated or conquered.
The real object was their subjugation to
French rule, to be secured through that do
cility and indisposition to war which con-
version from heathensm, it was thought,
would bring about. The pulpit having fail.
ed, resort was had to a renewal of the sword
which eventually compelled a forced adhe-
sion to principles and practices secretly
hated. For this, and specially, for the plum.
der bestowed upon the church, Charlemagne
was dubbed saint. But the question ever
recurs to the thoughtful, is that really an
improvement of the moral state which is
effected by force or fraud; is deceit necessi-
tated by conquest and restraint upon the
natural love OF liberty a suitable preparation
for citizenship; has civilization been ad-
vanced by any agency which left the sub
ject no choice between the adoption of its
code and extinctionp
The same experiment, undertaken by some
of the early kings of Norway, in the tenth
century, was followed by results equally
destitute of permanency and value. Partly
by deception, partly by open and undis-
guised Instruments Nakon, called the Good,
strove to introduce among the brave Morse
men the outward forms OF Christianity, with
very moderate success. Olaf Tryggveson's
sturdy efforts accomplished, through union
OF skilled strategy with down right force, a
temporary abandonment OF idolatry, offer
ing his subjects a choice between instant
conversion and instant immolation, instinc-
tive love of life leading to the selection of
the least horrible alternative of terrible
dilemma. 1t is important to notice, first,
how superficial was the demand and its re-
sponse; cessation from idol worship and
what was called baptism the sole terms,
nj n 10 "a
only valuable effect, and, indeed, the per-
petuity of the new institution, depended mp
on succedaneum in the form OF personal
teaching of some leading truths of Tevela.
ton, followed by the operation of that power
which first enlightens, then convlcts, last
persuades. My object, so far, has been to
show that what is called Christianity, as a
formal system, and as II has been known in
history, has played but poor part IN bring
ing 10 pass the degree OF civilization at pres
ent existing. Had there been nothing bet
ter than that name, the hall-truth in Byron's
lines would have been whole truth, and the
despair OF every knowing mind:
Here is the moral OF all human tales
lis but the same rehearsal OF the past,
First freedom and then glory-when that
fails,
Wealth, vice, corruption, barbarism at last,
And history with all her volumes vast,
Hath but one page.
Our nomenclature IS misleading We have
adopted meaningless phrases as the ages
have transmitted them without troubling
to investigate or correct. Most Christian
King" as applied to Louis XIV, Tor exam
pie, appears blasphemous; although the
grand mOndrgue whose arrogance expressed
Itself in LetGt cest MOI might so lar claim
kinship to Christianity that he believed in a
devil Cruel, selfish, bullying, yet cowardly
England, who always sides with the stronger
power, with purposes OF gain, with the re-
voting crime OF the opium trade, the butch
cries OF the Soudan, and thousand other
hldeous iniquities upon her, is called
"Christian" nation, forsooth He'll makes
its horrid grin when hypocrites OF such
black hue first import slaves, and then
when they are no longer profitable, arc
siezed with holy spasm of abolition zeal
preparatory to the ensavement by military
power OF vast territories And in this land
which is still Republic in name, in which
| imperialists among US, increasing in bold
| ness as circumstances favor their schemes
ape the forms and fiummery OF kingly gov
ernments, the acme OF temerlty would be
reached in any claim to extensive posses.
sion of the qualities which invest the title
with Significance. Viewing the state and
progress OF the world, the quality OF Its
civilization, and the agency from which so
much is hoped, thoughtful men, in per
picked effort to separate appearance from
fact, may well sympathize with the mad
pupil who asked his tutor in philosophy,
"But whether is virtue fluid, then, or a
gas"
Before pass to speak of the chiefest fac
tor In the civilization already attained, and
the instigator and guarantor Of its progress
sion Ia the age TO come, namely, the deVel'
opment of the mental and spiritual in man,
some notice should be taken OF progressive
economic conditions, specially az the com
mercial instinct was sliced upon by Divine
Providence in the first decades OF the Christ
ian era as an active and fruitful instrument
In the dissemination of that knowledge upon
which the true advancement of the nations
has depended, and still depends As an ele-
ment in the improvement OF the race, in
general, intercourse between peoples OF var
liant dispositions and habits has had no mean
place 1t is not necessary to attribute n
sanctfed motive which usually had no ex'
istence; it is sufficient TO see that, Whatever
the impelling cause, it has been overruled
TO effectuate, in part, a uniform and enddr
ing design.
II was matter of prophecy, hiding, as
usual, a promise, that in later days multi
tudes should travel, and 80 multiply knOwl-
edge in the earth. IL Ia precisely this con
slant increase OF knowledge which has 80
largely contributed 20 the improvement Of
the social and pJi,tlcal status OF the COun-
tries which have enjoyed its light. Were
there no light eZtraneOus 10 Itself barber
Gus people must forever slt In darkness Its
savior must come from beyond the limits OF
It's personal gloom. With the effect Of as.
sOciatlOn between the Inferior aud the su'
perior, we are all familiar The larger the
difference the more signal the emendatlOn.
Commerce produces wealth Its opposite,
poverty, may be the graVest hIndraDce To
the best character OF progress in either the
individual or the mass. Ability TO provide
acts indirectly rs a civiizer. We need not
wholly believe that "sOclety is founded on
CLOTH" but we cannot fail to observe that
when the savage has cast aside his clout, and
begins TO appreciate the decencies OF life,
his outward civilization has com menced.
Business In the Orphans Court
The following business was transacted In
the Orphans Court
The last will and testament Of DR.. Alex
L. Ransone, deceased, was admitted 10 pro-
bate and record, and letters Of administra.
ton G. T. A. were granted TO Mary Ram
some. Bond $500.
John II. Ryne, executor of Jesse Ryne,
deceased, passed his first and final account
and made distributions.
David Griffith, surviving executor Of Thos.
Griffith, deceased, passed bis second and final
account and made distributions.
Edward A. Shriner, administrator of Ed
ward L. Getzendanner, deceased, passed his
first and final account.
The last will and testament Of Lou Dor
sey was admitted to probate and record.
Entertainment at Town HalI.-The
ladies Of the "Union Cemetery Association"
will hold their annual entertainment at the
ROCKWELL Town Hall, on Thursday, Octo.