The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-04-17

j ~ DAlL1 0<A LIZ Ol1
and driven out into the open air, so
that their blazing bodies might light
up the public highways and the i'm.
perial palace.
Thus did this champion OF Rome
amuse himself in making bonfires OF
christian flesh. whilst from town.
country, circus and theatre went
forth the satanic cry OF his majesty.
THE christians to the lions" Such
is the manner in which the church
was prosecuted during the first
three centuries.
Nero was the first emperor who
unsheathed the sword against her.
Others followed his example; the
emperors, Domitian, Trajan, Marcus
Aurelius, Septimus Severus. and
Diocletian became imitators OF Nero's
cruelty, and harbored within their
bosoms the same hatred towards the
christians. They used fire. sword,
wild beasts and melted pitch to de-
stroy christianity; they used other
tortures, the mention of which would
make ones blood run cold. What
was the result? Did they destroy the
RluSOOul vi NOu uPOh col III 49,
The christians embraced death with
such calmness and resignation as to
discourage their prosecutors, till at
last they stayed their murdrous
hands.
Thus did the church of God without
force Of arms, human power, or
earthly prestige free herself from the
rulers of the world. from the mighty
. al hn
reared by the hands Of man.
Religious Freedom Given.
In the year 312, the Emperor Con-
stantine issued an edict. by which
perfect religious freedom was con-
ferred upon the christians. Up to
this time they were denied the right
to live; if they existed at all. 1T was
only because the Roman empire could
not prevent them. Now they were
free beings, they babe farewell to
their underground caverns or cata-
combs in which they had prayed and
praised God, in secret, for 300 years,
and came forth into the open air, 10
raise their souls to heaven, without
being molested by their cruel perse-
cutors.
The trials which the church endur-
ed during the first three centuries
were severe-yet, she encountered
still greater; numbers of her own
fold rose up against her! Arlus, a
priest Of Alexandria rebelled by de-
nying the divinity Of Christ her found,
er. He was cast out from the pale OF
the church but his. heresy,. waxed
strong; its numbers increased daily
TO fn1lnwnrG moi
only the laity but a large number OF
priests and bishops; ere long it OBJ
tanned imperial favor. Bishops were
exiled and their sees filled with
schismatical bishops; the pope was
dragged from the vatican and sent
into exile. The church was shaken
to her very foundation. and seemed
to quail beneath the burden whilst
her enemies rose up in jubilatlon
over her downfall. What ensued
Did the gates of hell prevail against
her?
No!-The church rallied from the
shock. and at the close of the fourth
century, Arianism was no more.
About two centuries after Arius was
laid in his grave, there arose an
other new religion which tortured
the very life blood of the church Of
God. This religion was called Islam
ism: its founder was Mohammed who
was born about the year $40 aad was
an Arabian by birth. Mohammed de
clared that he was inspired by God
and that he was a greater propne!
than Christ himself. He promised
his followers all imaginable pleasures.
His religion gave license to great
MANY things that our holy faith Tor
bids.
Conversions by. Sword.
creed so low attracted many, he
soon had a host Of followers, and be-
coming master Of Arabia, went on
making conversions by the edge OF
the sword, cutting to pieces all
christians, Jews and pagans who re
fused to accept his doctrine. he
died about the year 622, but his fol
lowers went on making conversions
by force of arms. About the middle
of the eighth century, one-third OF
christendom had fallen at his feet
whilst the remainder stood breath
less and Reconstruction at the on
slaught Of the enemy. What was to
become of the church OF God? Was
she doomed to die? We're the gates
of hell to prevail against her? She
could not defend herself by military
resources, for such were not at her
disposal. She was destitute OF hu'
man power, but not Of divine. The
eternal God. once more stretched
forth His arm in defense Of that
church for which His only begotten
Son had lived. suffered and died. She
was saved from destruction. The
worlds devices again proved vain
and the hosts of satan were defeated
Open now the history Of the middle
ages and its pages will show the sad
state of humanity in those so called
ldarksome ages. This period was not
ed for ignorance and cruel deeds, but
what was the state OF the church !:
All human societies are affected by
| the life we live. We all betray a
tinge Of our environments, our com
panions, our associates, in speech OF
| in manners; this is only natural. DID