Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-17

linguistic difficulties encountered
ME9A7a in the translation Of the gospel
49, OF Christianity from Greek into
Latin changed the whole current Of the
worlds history II has been said that
n was over the words let filioque"-"and
from the son"-that the first serious dis
pute arose. At all events, the differences
could hardly have been Of real conse-
auence as viewed in modern light, let alone
insurmountable. But the Jealousy Of the
two civilizations, then waning but stlll
bitter in their animosity, kept alive the
spirit Of dissension between the Greeks
and the Romans and brought about con-
ditions that have had the greatest pos
sible effect on the affairs Of mankind.
The causes are barely limited at in '"rhe
Prince OF India" Its action being laid at
the time when the star OF the Byzantine
empire was sinking into the darkness of
oblivion, TO become only a memory, It natu-
rally attracts some inquiry into the exact
situation OF the worlds affairs at that
time, and the considerations that made II
possible for the Turks, under Mohammed
II, to overthrow the city and destroy the
empire that had endured as a political
entity for more than eleven centuries.
10
When Emperor Constantine ], whose
name ia further exalted by the additional
title of 1.-THE Great" moved his capital
and seat of government from the banks
of the Tiber to the shores of the Bosphorus,
and on the Golden Horn erected Constan-
tinopolis, in the first half of the fourth
century of the Christian era, he took a
step that signalized an epoch in history.
For eleven centuries the empire he then
established endured. He governed east and
west a greater realm than any other has
ever ruled. His eastern limits were never
clearly marked, but extended as far into
Asia as his arms were able to subdue or
hold in check the savage tribes. To the
westward his rule was undisputed over
Europe, including Great Britain. He had
won his eminence by overthrowing those
Romans who disputed his succession to
his father, and his rule had been marked
by singular wisdom and prudence. He had
given his people laws that reformed many
evils OF which they had cause to complain,
and, while only nominally a Christian, he
declared for freedom of conscience through
out his empire, and made II possible for
the new sect to make Roadway as 1t had
never attained. Constantine could build
Q city, and surround himself with all the
outward show of imperial pomp and cir
cumstance but he could not uproot the in
tense patriotism OF those Romans, In
whose memory still fingered glory of
those days when Rome was the imperial
mistress of the world. The Roman empire
was fast crumbling to pieces and in q
few years It had given way to the Nero
vingian. but Roman aspiration still
breathed and its ambition was fated to
have an outcome different from anything
that might have been forseen by the great
emperor.
Deprived OF temporal dominion, tho
Roman patriotism turned to spiritual. not
at once, but with a result as far-reaching
as il it had been aimed at from the start.
The spread Of the Christian religion and
the growth OF the church brought about
the necessity for uniformity in practice.
Various councils Of bishops were called and
soon the western bishops submitted to the
authority Of the bishop OF Rome. In the
east three. and later four, patriarchates
were recognized as coordinate in author
tty. The bishop of Rome claimed prece-
dence, but was not recognized Disputes
arose, and council after council was called
to reconcile the differences in church polity
undertakings. The breach grew wider
and wider. until the middle of the elev-
snth century, when the great schism oc-
CURED and the split between the Greek and
AhOinau ShuiSlcc DtCdilt
.
For more than four centuries another
great religion had been spreading over. a
large portion of the world. embracing
among Its followers some of the hardest OF
races and bravest OF fighting men. Late
IN the sixth century Mohammed had COM
menced his teachings, and by the time the
great schism had divided the Christians
into two irreconcilable bodies, his follow
ers had commenced their inroads on the
great empire of the east left by Constan-
tine the Great to his successors. Islam had
arisen, and not only in the east but in the
west. was the name OF the prophet blessed
at the call of the muezzin. For three CEN
turtles the Spanish peninsula had been held
by tho Moors. and the eastern nations Of
Europe had been called upon to battle
again and again to check the invasion.
Slowly, but surely the tribes that followed
the Camel Driver were closing in on those
who followed the Carpenter. When the
Christian nations Of Europe went forth in
battle array to rescue the tomb OF the
Savior from Mussulman dissertation. they
stopped by the way to make war on the
Greek Christians in Constantinople Finally
zoo years, lacking one, after the bishops had
Bolemnly disagreed and pope and patriarch
had assumed each his answering demand
for the submission of the other, Mohammed
II swooped down on Constantinople. and the
Church of the West looked on while the
Church OF the East was defeated and the
Cross went down before the Crescent John
Fiske refers to this as the crime OF the
centuries. but Constantine XXI appealed In
vain TO the rulers OF Europe for help
-
1t was but little time until the mis-
take was apparent to Europe. and the eff
tects OF the blunder were felt sooner than
had been thought. Venice was the mighty
port of the world, and the commerce OF
the east and west flowed through II. It's
Rrgosies brought from the head OF the
Mediterranean those goods that caravans
had freighted across Asia, from Cipango
and Cathay and Farther India. and the
silks and spices and gums and precious
stones were again transported to the diff
ferent capitals and cities OF Europe. Marco
Polo and others had explored the way as
jar as the great Sea OF Cipango, and
Prester John was a very live issue. The
great khan (probably Ghengis) had even
sent deputation 10 Rome. asking that
teachers be sent to him that he might
learn OF the religion OF Europe, but this
opportunity had been overlooked. And now
came the Turk. With the fanaticism that
has always been characteristic OF the