The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-10

died in l72 B. c. He taught . simple and sublime faith, which has been accepted by larger number of people than any other. And 1t is the highest source Of eradication to the Buddhist believers that no drop of blood was ever shed in the propaganda. The adherents of the Buddhist faith today number about 4oo,- ooo.0oo. The foundation of the religion preached by Buddha fs defined as the four noble truths--love of mankind, holy calm, the suppression of 6esire and the protec- ton of life. True Buddhists will never kill an animal or even an insect.
 ?. Next in influence perhaps and with almost as many followers as Buddha is Confucius. a Chinese philosopher, who lived from $50 to 478 B. c. He taught no religion. but was q great moraiIst, and his maxims are the foundation of Chinese morals. law, justice and system of gov- ernmsnt. With the great majority of the Chinese education Is limited to the Study of his naxims.
 g. Mahomet, the camel driver ts7o-es2 A. D.. the founder of the Mosiem religion and the author of the Koran, has prob ably exercised as much influence as any man who ever lived except Buddha and Cpnfucius, although he was iliiterate and his teachings are mostly plagiarisms from the Old Testament. The followers of Mahomst today number not less than so0. .oOo. and the adherents of no religion are more sincere, devoted and scrupulons in practicing the principles of their faith.
 {. Perhaps Constantine the Great C272- SN A. D.), the Roman Emperor who first accepted and recognized the Christian re- ligion, should be numbered next, for he was the founder of both the Greek and Roman Catholic Churches. During ais reign and through his influence Christi- anity was substituted for paganism m the civilized nations of the earth.
 5. Martin Luther Q4ss-154s). the founder of the Protestant faith. I think should come next and after him
 6. Chariemagne (7s2-SlD. who may bc termed the founder of modern civiIiza- ton. for during his reign began the move mente which developed the present con- ditions of society and government
 q. Alfred the Great of England, (S71- 9ol). should perhaps be ranked before Charlemagne. but is placed after him be- cause he lived a hundred years later. He was the founder of law courts, trial by jury, and first overthrow the doctrine that might makes right" which had pre- vailed among human beings up to his reign. He was the first to establish in a practical manner the principle that req son should be more respected than force. Alfred the Great was also the founder of the modern system of education.
 s. George Washington (17s2-i7ss). natur- ally comes next as the founder of civil liberty.
 We have four places to dispose of and I should assign them to:
 9. Napoleon Bonaparte Q7ss-1S21). the greatest of soldiers.
 10. Michael Angelo Q475-iBez), the great est of architects, artists and sculptors.
 Il. William Shakespeare Q5s4-16l6), the greatest of writers. and
 F. Plato (l2T-sz7 B. C.). the founder of philosophy and ethics.
 Unfortunately for Christopher Colum- buss there is no room for him in this list, and although he has probably exer- cised as much influence upon the destiny of mankind during the last four centuries as any of those named. it was the result of an accident and not the achievement of a purpose. Columbus did not sail westward in search of new world. He never dreamed of such discovery. His theory was entirely contrary to actual ge- ography. When he sailed from Palos it was in search of q passage to India and without the slightest expectation of find ing a new continent. Indeed, with his latest breath, he persisted in his theory that there was passage to India by tine route he had taken. and on his last 'voy- age he cruised up and down the coast of the isthmus. entering every stream and bay with the hope of finding it.