The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-07-12
GREAT CHURCHMEN
OF ALL CREEDS.
TERTULLIAN-I6o-22o A. D.

1t is a strange fact that Latin
theology and the Western Church
are indebted .or their origin 10
three North Africans-Tertullian,
Cyprian, and Augustine. Car
thage, Rome's ancient rival, pro-
duced the first two. Tertullian
threw his thoughts out into ingots
which Cyprian Ininted and milled,
and Augustine the greatest of the
three, put into universal circula-
ton. The methods of the lawyer
chung to Tertullian after his con-
version. He was vehement. dex-
trous in polemics, sarcastic, given
to legal technicalities. He has
been llkened to a grand volcanic
eruption, belching precious stones
and dross IN strange confusion. He
was the pioneer of the church
phrase i'll the Latin language. He
wrote briefly, but upon many sub
jects, defense of Christianity, ref
utatlon of heresy, and practical
ethics. In an age of intolerant
turmoil he was the first to lift his
voice for religious liberty. His
old Carthagininian independence
asserted itself at the last, and he
died in practical revolt against the
Church at Rome, which he felt
was becoming too complacent in
its attitude to the world. He was
by nature an ascetic disciplinarian,
and Joined his fortunes to the Pu-
ritanic Montanists. 1t has been
said that among all the fathers of
the first three centuries Tertullian
has given "the most powerful ex-
preston to the terrible earnestness
of the gospel" His style has been
described as dark and resplendent
like ebony.
ORIGEN-I85-254 a. D.
Another St. Paul arose in ORR
gen. For variety and wealth of
learning and tireless industry, he
was unapproached by any Church.
man who lived between himself
and the apostle to the Gentiles.
He commanded respect for Chris
tianity on the part OF the thinking
world. He was par excellence the
scholar of his age. He reconciled
reason and religion, and thus cap
tured the ruling minds of the
world. He was at once philo-
gist, philosopher, and theologian.
Six thousand separate treatises are
evidence of his phenomenal indus
try Seven stenographers and an
army of copyists were at his COM
mand. Well might Jerome say.
(which of us can read all that he
has written?" It has been apt1y
said that it is an open question
whether the cause of Christianity
was ever more advanced by the
intellectual eXertions of any one
person. He was the first exegete,
1.-The father of the scientific and
critical investigation of the Scrip
lures" His "HeXapla" was the
first polyglot Bible. He followed
this careful retension of the text
with almost complete common
tary of the whole Bible. That
would have been distinction
enough, but he turned to another
field, and became the first dog
matte theologian Of the Church,
producing four volumes "On the
Fundamental Doctrines. Each
volume seems to be complete in
itself, and to embrace the whole
scheme of Christian doctrine, but
each from a different standpoint.
He was ascetic, accepted no gifts,
wore no shoes, slept on bare floor,
four obloi day earned by copying
manuscripts suficed for his sup
port. Another quality of his char
acter is expressed in his given
name, "Adamante." He was i'm
movable. In spite of these noble
and Incompatible services, he was
prosecuted by the Church, deposed
as presbyter and catechist, and ex-
communicated. 1t has been we'll
said that such a man in such an
ace CO1ld hold heretico1 o,1i,;o,,e