new ages rise into the manifold fullness of light in which we are embosomed, till the more inviting realms of the world, earlier in their culture, now turn to Christendom as having in that their only hope for even a secondary mental progress; I see the great discoveries coming in this circle of nations which bar barism so lately ruled, to enrich and empower human society; I hear there the poems, tender or triumphing, which are the timbrels and the trumpets to which the race is marching forward; 1 see the ages of intelligent faith fruitful and quickening, while those of unbelief are barren in contrast; I see the vast amphitheatre filled with the light of the Book, as Raphael's picture of Peter in prison with the light of the angel, subduing the light of torch or of moon:-and I say with absolute certainty, for myself, that the power here shown is like a power coming for the race, and coming from God! Whatever else is true or not, the superlative educational force of the world appears embodied in this system of Faith which came by peasants as its ministers, and the son of a carpenter as its mysterious sovereign Teacher. It lays its hand of supreme benediction on countries and centuries at the furthest remove from its first proclamation. It furnishes the matrix out of which genius may be expected plenteously to spring. And sceptics themselves, with whatever learning, eloquence, or wit, appear to me but involuntary witnesses to the underlying and impenetrating impulse of this religion, which has given possibility to even their hostile culture and force. LECTURE VIIL THE picture of the moral life of antiquity at the time when Christianity presented its imperative commands to the worldof that life as exhibited not in remote and uncivilized districts, exceptional in barbarous wickedness, but in the chief centres of culture and of commerce-this is presented, in rapid and incidental touches, but yet with precise and impressive distinctness, in the letters of St. Paul; and probably no one will be tempted to regard his portraiture of it as fanciful or unjust. He was no scholastic recluse, brought suddenly face to face with the actual spirit and conduct of mankind. He was a man of robust nature, experienced in affairs, conversant with the customs of different peoples, by no means insensible to the manifold elements of grace and of grandeur in the ancient civilizations: a man of clear-sighted practical sense, who was prompt to recognize each point of support for the religion which he preached in the history, the letters, or the moral education, of those whom he addressed; who was even regarded by some fastidious disciples as ready to interpret Christianity too largely, and to be too tolerant of the errors of his hearers, that he might fulfil more completely his vast and fruitful mission to the Gentiles. What this observant and practiced man, of keen intelligence, large experience, and wide observation, incidentally or directly tells us of those whose acceptance of the Faith which he taught he is eager to win, we may without demur accept. At least we may be sure that he has not forgotten his own common-sense so far as to outrage the hearts of his readers, and to instantly repulse their judgment, by painting themselves, or society around them, in colors too sombre. Read then, in the light of this, his unquestioned letters to the Corinthians, who had been withdrawn |