West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1904-01-14
THE BIBLE.


'srhey that were scattered abroad went
everywhere preaching the word.' (rhe
eleven disciples only remaining at jerusalem
--Aessss4.
Nothing in history is more barren than the
annals Of the church of the FIRST century.
SO far as great names were concerned, the
Christians were no, Of snfiicieu, importance
tobe generally perecuted by the govern
ment. Yet converts were multiplied in
every city aud traditions point to the mar,yr.
dom Of those who were prominent, Including
nearly all of the Apostles.
In the second century there are no greater
names than Polycarp. lenatius. Justin
Martyr, Clement, Melito aud Appollonius,
quiet bishops or intrepid martyrs. who adj
dressed their flocks in upper chambers and
who held no worldly rank. Il was dis
grace 10 be Christian in tho eye Of fashion
o. powee. The early Christian literature is
chi ly apologize and the doc,rinal character
Is apple aud practical. There we're con-
,roveTsies in the church 5r: nc outward con-
ile,s. no secular history. They had not as
yet nssailed the government or the social
institutions Of the tRoman) Empire. They
did not aspire TO control society. bn, they
had attracted the notice of the government
aud were Of sufficient consequence 10 be
persecuied. They were looked upon as
fanatics who sought to destroy reverence
for existing institutions. The poliiy Of the
Church was quietly organized. distinctions
arose between city aud rural bishops, dele
gates of churches assembled to discuss
points Of faith or suppress nascent heresies;
the discesiun system was developed, and
ecclesiastical Capitalization was commenced,
deacons began to be reckoned among the
higher clergy, the weapons Of excommun.
cation were forged. and the festivals Of the
church were created Many OF he leading
minds pretended they were the only men
who had a true knowledge of religion and
become Gnostics and formed a system OF
theology agreeable to The Grecian school,
derived from the Oriental philosophy 10
which they accommaded their inierpre,a.
,ions Of Scripture. tGnos,ies-- they who
know.D The foundation was thus laid Of The
churchs future poliiy and power
The third century saw the church more
powerful as an institution and regular syn.
DDS assembled in the great cities; The can
ons Of The church were definitely enumer-
ated, aud great schools Of theology attracted
inquring minds; the doctrines wsse sys-
,emalzed. defined and limited aud formu-
lated Into ereeds and confessions of faith.
Chrisiianiiy(9l had spread so extensively
that Il must needs he either prosecuted or
Iegalized; great bishops ruled the growing
church; great doctors speculaied on the
questions If the Grecian schools Of phil
osophy and science. Church ediiices we're
enlarged The church was rapidly ad.
vancing 70 position which sxioned the
Attentions Of maokind.
In The fourth generation imperial pcrsecu-
ton was stopped. The Roman Emperor,
Constantine. was eonvered(P). bishops be-
came cour,icrs; churches become itch and
splendid; synods wsre brought onder polid.
cal influence. men Of rsnk entered the
church aud Christianity became ,be religion
Of the court aud Of the fashionable classes,
and pageHt with the errors Of Pagan plilos-
ophy {. was nsed 10 support the very evils
against which it originally protested The
churches became rs imposing as the old
temples Of idoIaIry. venera,ion for mar
,yrs ripened into the introduction Of images,
approzimaiing 10 their dedication, and The
mother Of our Lord was exalted into an OBJ
icct Of absolute wouhip. Communion
tables neeAa,e imposing aliars typical Of
Jewish sacrifices, and the relies Of maflyfs
were preserved - sacred amuleis. Monas,ic
life hpened into gsaDd system Of peuancc
and expiatory rites. The church was allied
viii the Stale and religion dogmss we're en-
fo.esd by lhe sword If the magistrate The
Emperor decided points Of faith and an irn-
posing Hierarchy was esiablised, Of various
grades, which eliminated In the Bishop Of
Rome Controversies many and bitter
were settled by eouncils convened by The
Emperor. To Tie Council Of Nice the dogma
Of the Trinity was settled against AIios aho
coniendcd that serhc Father who beeai,
must be before ibs Son who was beg sien."
Adus had been sdmonished five Yeas
previous by Aiessndes. aud was now ex-
eomnunicsied end bsnished 70 Iilydcum
a. y 3zs}, ard then ,hc interpolation in
: John IS appears % some Latin buf not
any Greek MSS before she sih eeatafy, eli
scholars agree thar the words ae SPURIOUS
The original lcxif reads, for there are ihrce
that bear record, Tie spidi, the wafer and
biooJ, snd these three agree in one
a Caihole writer gives glowing .des-
cdpiion 81 ihs rise of fhe Pspsey 10 temporal
power, describing Il at plan, N heavenly
origin and therefore II fapid growth and
high oscillation Va the world and that prse-
licailY almost from that day when Consian
tine removed the seat of empire from tie
Yves, 20 the East. Rome. (which had W.T.
messed the liIlh. The youth. ihe splcados
and the decay Of paghiy race BY whom
her name had been carried With her eagles
70 the remoiest regions u Che then known
~oiid, was gradually abandoned BY the ln-
hedtoa ~ her fepoen; and ls people. de-
serted ~ fhc empcrors snd su essy prey 10
tie ravag,s Of TIE hsfbadans whom ihsy
had 20 longer lhe courage 10 resist, beheid
IN he Bishop Of Rome their auasdisn. their
s..1t.sf.. ft.t. f.tt... 49,. 49,