Blue-grass blade., 1908-05-31

by selecting something from every system Of
religion. Judaism, Buddhism, Brahmism
Parsee and Neoplatonsm-all had their in
terpreters within small distance of the
temple of Serapis which was the head of
this philosophy at Alexandria, Egypt 1t is
said of Plotinus, one of its opponents, A. d.
200, that after ten years of study under the
great teacher Ammonius Saccas, he agreed
to never dvulge the teachings of his master
He made such an impression on his hearers
that many gave up their fortunes to the
poor, set their slaves free, and devoted their
time to contemplation, study and ascetic
piety. The god of Plotnus was n mystical
Trinity. His faith above science, as
means of reaching the absolute unity u.s.
very much like Paufs Faith alone is suif-
cient unto salvation"
Real science and pure knowledge had
never before been so undervalued and
uespised by the leaders of culture as
they were by the Neoplatonist. Professor
Harnack says ut must be affirmed
that the ethical mood which the Neoplaton-
list endeavored to create and maintain is
the highest and purest ever reached by an
tiquity.' Philosophy must cease to exist
as a science in order that mans assertion
of the supernatural value of person, and his
life, may receive full recognition" Phil
osophy as represented by the Neoplatonist
claimed to be not merely the absolute
philosophy, the keystone of all previous
systems, but also the absolute. religion, re-
invigorating and Transforming all previous
religions. Hence the existing religions,
after being refined and spiritualized, were
made the basis of philosophy. A new world
was discovered for the sake of which, every
thing else was abandoned, to make sure of
that world, insight and intelligence were
freely sacrificed, and in the light that
streamed from beyond, the absurdities of
the present became wisdom and it's wisdom
became foolishness."( Let the reader digest
tati nd ;- hat s,
called Christianity today.
The Britannica says: IF Neoplanton-
ism is understood in the widest sense,
as the highest and fittest expression
of the religious movement at work in
the Roman Empire from the second to
the fifth century. then it may be regarded
as the older twin sister of the church dog
matte, which grew up during the same
period; the younger sister was brought up
by the elder, then rebeled against her and
at last tryannized over her." But the i'm
portant fact is, that the relationship was
acknowledged on both Sides "The Neo-
platonists themselves characterized the theo-
logians of the church as intruders, who had
appropriated the Platonic philosophy. and
spoiled it by the admixture OF strange fables.
1t must be confessed that when Christianity
began to project a thology it was deeply i'm
pregnated by Neoplatonist influences"
These church writer's have ever feared the
name even of Neoplatonist, and in this
quotation Prof. Harnack has broadened out
somewhat. For three centuries Lewis says
Neoplatonism was formidable rival to the
greatest power that ever appeared on earth;
and If it succumbed in the struggle, 1t only
fell with the civilization of which it had
been the last rampant. The Britannica says
why Neoplatonism succumbed in the con-
fiict with Christianity, is a question which
the historians have never satisfactorily an
f<.nn hat rnd lot
onism after assimilating nearly everything
that IL contained was Catholic Christianity