Year: 1863




The following article on the quality of our
cipiIizatiOn is worth one Sabbath days reflection
at least IL is from the Boston Recorder


The quality of our civilization is too material,
physical artistic, inventive. IL lacks the moral
element 1t is earthly. 1t does not sufficiently
allow for and take hold of mans moral and
immortal nature The civil war, now entering
on its third year, is casting new and unweleGme-
light on this point-the character of our civiliza
ton.


We have been joyful, almost boastful, of our
progress in the useful and mental arts in the
sciences that deepen scholarship and increase
wealth, in the fruits of inventive genius, and in
the humane and philanthropic developments of
the age.


This is kind of civilization. but it is physical.
social, mercantile and aesthetic. IL attains its
end in an increase of wealth and luxuries, and
in the release of man from mental and physical
exertion. Ii has its triumphs in putting the
forces Of matter TO new uses. in increasing the
number of grains of wheat square yard, in
mitigating human suffering, in removing the
material and social evils that oppress the laboring
classes, in shortening the processes between toll
and reward, in relaxing the hand of despotsm,
so varied in form, and rescuing men from the
temporal fIus of their vices and crimes.


Much of all this is well. being both desirable
and commendable Ii is real progress in the
race. But it is social rather than moral, and
physical rather than Christian. 1t contemplates
and cultvates the race on the human rather than
the divine side and has regard more to our NOR
tai than to our immortal nature Our national
and international fairs or exhibitions show this
as the leading fact in the civilization of the age


When this great rebellion springs up, and the
terrible exigency calls for all that is moral and
Christian and God like in our national character,
we find we have less of it than was shown by
our fathers in the old French and Indian wars,
and in the revolution. We are surprised and
mortified at the perfdy and enormous wickedness
of the Rebels in attempting to overthrow such
government, and for so base an end. among 9th
ers as the increase and perpetuity OF human slav-
cry, And when we look among ourselves of the
loyal side we are chagrined and humbled. and
confounded to find so much petty ambition, love
of gain regardless of the country, treachery.
jealousy, sectional and party spirit Of personal
strife. lust for Office equaled only by incompe-
tency to fil it. and general indifference to the
welfare of the Government if present personal
interest conflict with it. Theft, robbery and
Dians.aughter do not seem to be terms too severe
when we see how Government contractors plum
der the public treasury. furnish such supplies as
necessitate defeat ia battle and sickness in camp,
and doom to lingering diseases and tardy death
many of the worn-out and wounded in our hos
pitals.


Evidently our Christianity has not kept pace
Win our mhttfldl duu SOCtdl w
lack men, masses of men, outside of the army,
built on the cardinal virtues of our religion, and
rising in ref sacrifice to the vast height of this
emergency, making themselves an offering to
stay this rebellion, with something of the Chris
tian feelings with which the Captain of our Sal
vation offered himself to stay rebellion under
the Divine Government


There are hosts of noble examples of Christian
patriotism in our ARM and navy, and among the
managers and supporters OF the war and the Gov
ernment But what means all the terrible politi-
cal corruption fastening and heaving in the great
masses Of the people?


Had we improved in our Christianity since the
Revolution, as we have in plows, and manufac-
lures, and wealth. and textures, and fine arts
had we improved in men, as we have in things,
we should not be what or where we are today.
Our civilization needs higher. diviner element,
not less of the physical, the philanthropic. and
humane, but more of the moral and the Chris
tan In this war God is making indirectly
great argument for the Christian virtues as indis-
pensable to the growth, and strength. and perpe
tuity of nation. thus indicating the weakest
point in civilization