News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-05-14
new ERA APPEARS
Bible and Christian Civilization
May Be Made Dominant
in the East.

The sense of living on the verge OF
a new era Is widespread among
thoughtful men, Everywhere those
who are in touch with social and spir-
ltual movements, whether at home or
abroad, feel that the situation is crti-
cal to a supreme degree, They trem-
BILE in their joy, for as they are
amazed at the unique opportunities of
the new era, so they are bewildered
by it's responsibilities and dangers,
We are living in an age when it
seems that nations are born in day,
or at least when they are awakened
irom'their sleep of a thousand years.
The danger is that in the hour Of their
awakening they may be turned into
wrong course and given wrong ideals.
In this new era some fear pagan
renaissance because the great pagan
nations of the east are so rapidly COM
ng into power and influence This is
time then when Christianity should
recognize its opportunity, for we have
come to one of the great watersheds
Of history when it seems that the
course of humanity may be turned in
either direction
The opportunity lies before Chris
ian nations to make Christian civil
cation dominant in the east as well
rs in the vest. The whole Orient is
istir as it never has been before The
ong sleeping east has awakened,
Hermit nations which a lew years ago
seemed to take no part in the worlds
progress have become world powers.
There is deep unrest in India. Japan
and Korea are rushing towards the
new era; the vast Chinese empire is
rhrobbing with new ideas and aspira-
ions.
1t is the primary duty of the Chris
ian church to enter in and occupy
Tor her Lord whenever and Wherever
she can. Nev5r have there been so
many open doors as there are now,
each with its eloquent appeal for the I
Gospel of a better age. The great /
barrier to much development in the |
east has been Mohammedanism, but
even there Of late years have been
signs of a shaking among tHe dry
world conferences have been held to
discuss the decay of Islam. and to pre-
vent its disintegration a conference
was held on 1907 at Cairo, the subject
Of the conference being, THE Causes
Of the Decay of Islam" 1t is evident
that not even Mohammedanism which
aas long been regarded as practically
Inv
stand against the pervasive influence
Of the Bible and of Bible-inspired civ
iization. And what is the significance
Of the present war, and Of the defeat
af the stronghold of Islam before the
arms of the Christians whom Turkey
had SO long oppressed? 1t means not
only another open door, but in Gods
providence it means the removal of
ihe last great barrier to Christian civ
Llization in the east.
' Our gracious God is never ahead of
line nor behind time in his disposi-
lions of the affairs of men. When the
:ullness of time had come he sent his
Son, and all things in his Providence
come in the fullness of time. There
ore, If we are to know Gods will we
must observe the course of events
md be awake to the signs of his Prov
Genee. Goethe regarded the universe
Rs the living garment of God and ;
Carlyle called history a larger Bible,
which contains, for all who have an
.ye and a soul to read Alright, a clear Z
eCord of Gods dealings with men and T
/ clear Indication of his purposes. 8
Now, it is recognized, that not only t
o the lands of the east and to the (
Stands of the sea, but also to our own 6
and Soees the crisis of the new era. =
4et us turn our eyes to the homeland q
md we find among ourselves groupings,
iongings, for things not fully
Ie'ined. There is an undest among our
Ieopla a dissatisfaction with things
IS hay are. There are great move
nents CA foot which we regard as po-
iticaf or social, but which at bottom
ire religious, that is, they are the
'utcoRS of the Christian conscious =
less az righteousness and equity. The q
auss of the church is coming home .
o the masses of the people, and our r
linking men are beginning to see .
hat yAe cause of Christianity is the q
ause Of the nation U
Perhaps we cannot further the sal g
'atioR of the world better than by G
this land in which we :
i've. Think what a power among the
worlds peoples would be a united
yhTistian America. America is known
Is q Christian land, but there are
thousands of heather in it, America
Years the Christian name, but I'M
righteousness, vice and crime are ram
ANT among us, and often go unre-
luked. Alexander Duff knew the
Ulysses of vice in the east and espe-
iaIly in India, but after visit to the
lums of Philadelphia he left the tes-
imony that such vileness, debase-
nent. drunkenness and shamelessness