Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-08


of men. Man as man is coming into his
own as never before. Since the coming
of the Son Of Man into the world the ap-
praisement of human nature has been
steadily rising. In the midst of all the
subordinate creation He stood and said
to men, Are we not of much more val
ue than they?' and forthwith men began
to place a higher valuation on themselves
and all mankind. The central principle
of Christianity being the atoning sacrifice
of a divine Saviour for us men, 1t can
not be otherwise than that the rehg-
ion of Jesus spreads over the world hui
man nature must be appreciated as
thing of supreme value.
And Christianity is spreading. Its infiu-
ence is felt even by the sons OF those
who do not consciously and professedly
accept the teachings and embrace the sal
walton which Christ offers. 1t is pervasive
like a balm-laden atmosphere and thou
sands In nominal Christian lands are af-
fected by II although declining to call
themselves Christians. In lands that are
accounted heather it's influence has gone,
and pagan nations, becoming acquainted
with the life and institutions Of the peo-
pies called Christian. enter somewhat into
their spirit and follow their example.
Hence the progress of Christianity tends
to pull down despotism and to set up in
their room various forms of popular gov
eminent all moving in the direction OF
the liberation of the race from political
thraldoms of every sort. This movement
is manifest just now in remarkable de-
gree in every part of the world Russia,
Turkey, and Persia have modified their
ancient autocracies and established ma
tional assemblies within the last few
years Japan has had diet for many
years past. and even slow moving i'm
perial authorities Of hoary China prom
Use some sort of national congress or par
Lament at an early date. 1t thus appears
that throughout the whole habitable earth
men are being esteemed more and kings
regarded less and less. In lands which
have long boosted of their free institu-
tons there is a strong tendency to still
greater freedom. The prerogative of IT,
tied and privileged classes are being cur
tailed and the power of the common peo-
pie is being proportionately increased in
matters of government Witness the con-
test between the Lords and Commons in
conservative England and throughout the
United Kingdom.
With our notions of political freedom
and constitutional liberty we are apt to
look upon all this worldwide movement
as one Of unmixed good; and as a mani
festation of religious forces working for
the uplifting of all mankind it deserves
the enthusiastic approval of all Christ
ian people. But it is not without its
perils. The progress of a few Christian
ideas when unaccompanied with the
spread of real Christian motives creates
dangerous conditions always.
Christianity is a money-making relig-
ion. 1t must be so by reason of the vir-
tues which it enjoins and the vices which
1t restraints. The christian virtues of
frugality, industry, and sobriety tend to
the production of wealth. Very natur-
ally, therefore, the wealth of the world
is found in christian lands, while the
squalid poverty of mankind is huddled
for the most part in pagan countries
The restitution of the worst slum dis
tricts of christendom offers no parallel
to the wretchedness which testers and
faints and perishes in heathendom. But
just because christianity is a money
making religion, If only it's thrifty virtues
are propogated it runs to ruin in the riot
and luxury which are made possible by
it's own accumulations. Hence we see
Inf nominally christian lands vast &C
cumulations of wealth and monstrous
vices springing from opulence All the
unrest of christendom today about the
the fact that the christian nations have
accepted christianity only partially; they
have made too much of the virtues which
lead to the acquisition of property and
too little of the principles which Christ
enjoins for the right holding and use of
property. Like Judas il is the treasurer
of the race and carries the bag because
Ii follows the Master, while at the same
time it comes under the temptation of
betraying for silver and gold the Lord
under whom it holds it's position. Unless
1t speedily takes all the teaching of its
Lord and turns from it's greed IT may
like Judas end in self-destruction. In
truth the christian world is not religious
eGlough to be safe in the possession of
the riches which have already come into
its hands, not to speak of it's prospective
wealth. 1t will take fire in the conflagra-
ton of social revolution II the flames of
love and brotherhood and piety do not
burn more brightly and consume the in
famable vices of our civilization.
So likewise christianity begets free
dom as ii quickens acquisitiveness. The
free institutions of the world are In
christian lands, and paganism Is begin
ming to initiate them from afar. But
liberty without law is the most de-
structive explosive that the mind Of