Year: 1869

large ana IaSnlOnaDlo c0n8regauOn ~ one OF
the Washington churches, the Chief Justice Of
the United States delivered lecture on the
subject Of Christian Missions" From the
outlines Of the lecture, which We published In
the HERALD Of Tuesday last, it seems to have
been scholarly and philosophical, full Of hope
and confidence as to the final success OF
Christianity. The Chief Justice on the rostrum
within consecrated walls must have been
rather an interesting and edifying sight. We
are concerned, however, rather with the
lecture than the lecturer. II has become 80
much the fashion of late in certain quarters TO
speak of Christianity as worn out and effete
that we gladly seize the opportunity to note
some facts and to point out some tendencies
which warrant the belief that the triumph of
Christianity is certain and not so far distant as
some may imagine.


1t is fact to be deplored that in the nine
teenth century Of the Christian era scarcely
one-third of the human family belong to the
religion Of Jesus. That it might have been
otherwise is easy to say. That 1t ought to





of Christianity might not be difficult to prove.
The fact however, is as we have stated, and
the fact we must accept. One-third of the
human family nominally Christian and two
thirds non-C Christian in brief, is the
world religiously.


On the other hand it must be admitted that
the shadow Of Christianity oyerspreads the
nations Everywhere it is felt to be a great
and growing force. It is already the con-
trolling power of the world. Wherever there1
is progress, energy, enterprise; wherever there!
is true freedom, culture, intellectual indie
pendence, there is Christia anity-and of ALL
these she must be regarded as the parent
and the nurse. From Christianity have they
sprung and on Christianity do they depend.
What have the non-C Christian two-thirds of
the human family given us during these last
ten centuries in the shape of literature? Alb
solutely nothing We are not forgetful Of the
literary outburst of infdelity which preceded
and followed the French Revolution but this
we claim for Christianity quite as much as
anything ever written in its defence for it
sprung out Of Christianity, and some of the
literature Of that period is more Christian
than either its authors or its enemies be-
lieved. What have the non-C Christian two
thirds done for us in the shape of mechani- :
cal invention? Absolutely nothing. The
steam engine, with its countless applications,
the electric telegraph, the printing press
all these modern forces which are revolu-
tionizing the world, which are breaking down
bridging the mighty waters, piercing the un-
dulating hills, annihilating distance, creating
q common sentiment and common interest
worldwide in their range-have they not
all sprung from, and are they not all allied
to, Christianity.


Such are facts of which Christianity has just
cause to be proud. If we turn aside from these
facts for moment and look at what we may
call the dominant tendencies Of the age we
find equal reason to be proud and hopeful.
Prominent among these must be noticed the
aggressiveness of Western civilization. The
civilization of Europe and America marches
with rapid strides and is making itself felt in
all lands and on every sea. Not only have the
millions of Asia ceased to send forth their con-
quering hordes they no longer feel it possible
or prudent to resist the aggressive energy Of
these Western forces With Europe on the one
hand and America on the other the day is not
far off when the Asiatic Continent In all its
length and breadth shall be revolutionized,
fra efory, od raoran hv ubat n o ot;II ta
fashion to call Western civilization. This civ
ilization is nothing If it is not Christian.
With the railroad, the steamboat, the steam
plough and other mechanical appliances
developing the wealth and utilizing the pro-
ducts Of the Continent with the printing press
and the electric telegraph quickening thought |
and facilitating expression, the doctrines of
Christianity will be more successfully preached
than they have ever been by any missionary in
any age. As it win be with Asia 80 will IL be
with Africa, 50 with every island Of the sea.
The tide Of Christian civilization will roll on.
Where II Is accepted it win remain and bless.
Where 1t is resisted il will roll on and destroy.
This, however, is not all. Inside of
this Western civilization itself there
are certain marked tendencies the re-
suit Of which cannot fail to be gain to
Christianity. From variety Of causes, all
Of which are in active operation, nations are
becoming fewer but larger. TIE lesser are
gradually being absorbed by the greater.
Language Is following a similar law, and evi-
dence Is not wanting to convince MS that this
tendency is destined to become even more
a Characteristic Of the future than il is Of the
present. A common nationality and q common
language for all mankind is no longer an
impossible dream. In proportion as this is
realized 40 will the conquering forces Of
Christianity be multiplied, and 80 will its sue
cess be secured. The race will be to the
swift and the battle will be to the strong; and
in this great future the United States, the
l...... r. A n.