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Show while w e do not admit that this man established the true church, yet we are compelled to conceed that his achievments and that of his followers follow-ers was not void of influence for good, instead of the hitherto bigotry supcrstition, rnd ignorance, the civilized world is dotted over with theological seminaries, where people are educated in the learning of ancient an-cient and modern limes, under their influence mancrs become more polished, po-lished, and thoughts more elevated to the Saracens we arc indebted for important discoveries in Geography. Hitherto man had been taught that the earth was a vast plain, they were the first to prove that the earth was a vast Globe or ball, and their calculation cal-culation in determining the circumference circum-ference of the Globe were so acurate that even modern calculation only diif jrs slightly with theni. Space does not permit us here to enter iuto the development of arts and Sciences, suffice to say that in the golden age of the Saracen Empire, there were coleges in every part of its vast dominion;Medicine, Mathamatics, Astronomy, and other Sciences were developed, and not only was learning confined to the rich, but every class received iis benefits. Another important feature fea-ture should be noted which suggest that this people were actuly benefactors, bene-factors, under their Government religious persecution was unknown. And not only to arts,and sciences are new developments limited, but in r '-CjWK DOWNFALL AND RISK OK . TiK'OLOGY AND SCIENCE. C' hliilutcd The Prophet Daniel (than whom none were uiort favored with the 1 vi.iions of the future,) while 'enshrouded in the spirit beholding tiie last vision recorded, was coni- 'inan led to "Shut up the words, and seal the Book, even until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be incieased." Dan. la ch. 4 V. In order to comprehend and keep pace with the literal -fulfillment of this l'rophecy, the reader should imagine himself on the Eastern Hemisphere, where, during the first Century A. D. he beholds a number of humble me.i clothed with Divine Authority ex- 1 pounding the principles taught them by their Divine Master, dispite of continued opposition and persecution, persecu-tion, result of their ardent labors, is thousands of Converts through the land. These were called by their enemies the sect of Nazercnes but by Us authur and founder the Church of Christ. Its eclesiaitical Organiza-l' Organiza-l' was Apostles, Prophets, Evangalists Pastors and Teachurs, with heips and Governments Sic. Its fundamental funda-mental doctrines were faith toward God, repentanca from dead works, Baptism by emersion for the remission remis-sion of sins, the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost. r The purpose of God arc constantly jnad knovn through His Agent fhe Holy Ghost. Comparatively f-;w years kad elapsed ere another fi'rophccy was fulfilled; falling away comes, the man of sin is revealed. The son ofjperditioiij who exaltcth J himself above all that is called J (iod or that is worshiped, "so that he as God siteth in the Temple of j God, shewing himself that He is f God." a Thess. 2. 3. vs. j The Apostle John beheld j an event the consumation of which paved the way for the complete fulfillment of the foregoing forego-ing passage. He says: "I beheld a beast rise up out of the sea having seven heads and tsn horns, and upon up-on his horns ten crowns," it is evident evid-ent that if this beast represents a kingdom or Empire the ten horns typify outgroths or petty kingdoms This kingdom or' government was seen to obtain power to make war '4 with the saints, and to overcome them. Thus the whole eastern con-tcaeut con-tcaeut so far as history informs us r-f was at that time under the control "? jB ' ome an'' Paganism was the re-Jjp re-Jjp ligion of tho Empire and the whole power of the realm was brought to r bear against the infant Church. Pagan Priests excited the populace to frenzy, and royal decrees delivered the saints to the most terrible tortures. tor-tures. In a few year the Apostolic organization and Priesthood were no more. Paganism presented only a cheerless cheer-less prospect, it gave itself no con-cern con-cern for the lowly and unfortunate, j limited the hopes and distiny of nun to this present life, and taught him tJlat tpmntrnl nrnsnrilv theology new researches are made, the corruption of the Church of Rome becomes unbearable to the thinking people, and men rise up boldly to denounce its adulterated creed. The Holy scriptures had all this while remained in the libraries li-braries and Monasteries of Europe, a sealed book to the masses, and acceslble only to a privileged few who were manely interested in Veep ing them from the people. The only Bibles then in existence were manuscripts written by skillful copy iests on vellum. It pleased God at this period of time to reveal the art of printing.one of the greatest blessings bless-ings ever bestowed upon the world. This new art made il possible possi-ble fr men to speak, and act upon the world at large, it enabled books to be multiplied very rapidly in such numbers that all mankind were brought into nearer and more inti-matejelations inti-matejelations with each other. Space will not permit me to describe the discovery or the gradual growth of the art, but simply to refer to the influence in-fluence it had upon the minds of men in the matters of new religion. reli-gion. In 1471 an Italian version of the Bible appeared, it was followed by a Bohemian version in 1475, a Dutch version in 1477, a French version in 1477, arid a Spanish (Valencian) version in 1478. It is needless to state that these had a very marked effect upon the minds of the people, a flood of light is thrown upon the nations of Europe, Eur-ope, the people began to read and think for themselves. It i3 impossible for us of the present pres-ent day to whom the Bible is the most familiar book, to form any adequate conception of the eagerness eager-ness with which the people of the sixteenth century turned to the blessed bless-ed book for information and relief, nor can we conceive of the value which they set upon it. Its teachings teach-ings gave no warrant for the sale of indulgences, the rnlilierv of tli r nin 0 ' 1 pie by the priests, the tortures administered ad-ministered by Rome to those who dared oppose her; they found it did not teach the worship of images or relics, it taught that each man was to be saved by his individual faith in the atoning blood of Christ. The invention of printing had also its political effects, and for men to be able to read books in a common ! tongue, was itself a revolution, it Voused the hearts of the people in all lands, p oducing commotion excit-ment excit-ment an q. agitation. Society became electric, and was stired to its depths. The invention of printing had also its political effects, and for men to be able to read books in a common tongue, was itself a revolation. It roused the hearts of the people in all lands, producing commotion excit-m?nt excit-m?nt and agitation. Society became be-came electric, and was stirred to its depths. The sentiment of right was created, creat-ed, and the long down-trodden peas ents alcng the Rhine, in Alsace, and Suabia, raised their cries on all sides, demanding freedom from erfdom, and to be reeoniied as' in. In thosa days might have been seen, on Sundayt bands ot working peopla walking abroad in tha meadowi, tha grove, end the fields, singing Pialms and spiritual songs, or reading to, and instructing one another; there might hare been seen also girls and maidens seated in groups in the gardens and pleasant places, singing songs, the effects of whose teachings hail been so salutary. sal-utary. Indeed these various influences; ; working one with another, had already al-ready effected so much good, that not only had the habits and modes of life of the people been reformed, but their very countenances seemed j to be changed and improved. T bt Continut.i. 1 , I'-... might be selfishly gained at any co3tto others in poverty and suffering. suffer-ing. , The Church of Christ was no m ie upon the earth, and its forms were amalgamated with Pagan ritej and rituuls, and under Roman rule an intellectual famine was realised throughout Europe. The only men of learning were tha Monks, who seldom left their Cloisters, and the only books were manuscripts. Not only was thia ignorance limited to the common people, but the rich and noble were extremly ignorant. Even the Kings could scarcely read or write. The reign of superstition Wd3 universial. The simplicity of .t v primitive worship was changed to i umeaning rites and ceremonies, and the principles of truth were totally , 1 hidden by a dark cloud of ignorance, v The masses were no longer taught , ,' J that God was merciful and just, but . on the contrary, that He delighted in the eternal suffering of his creatures. crea-tures. Thus the most inhuman persecutors per-secutors claimed they were doing His service. This dogma gave rise to the doctrine of endless torment beyond be-yond the grave, which still earac-terize earac-terize ncariy all the sets of Christendom. Chris-tendom. Such was the condition of the social and religious world at the time of tha Emporer Constantine, judging from history, this politic prima wai net a man ef religions convictions, bnt perhaps for policy sake not only granted universal religious re-ligious toleration, but also proclaimed proclaim-ed himself a Christian, and ere the close of hia reign Christin'ty became be-came the rdijion of the Empire. Lt t it be understood however, that the term Christianity, here employed, is not synonymous with the primitive primi-tive church of Christ; but rather crystalized Paganism under a new name, and indeed it made but little improvement on Pagan Theology. I!ut while these forces are at work another power arises which grew to be the most powerful religious empire that the world has ever seenl the Mahomcdan so called from its founder. Its principal doctrines were drawn from the old and new Testaments, the fundamental Doctrines Doc-trines were simple. There is but one f.5od and Mahoma J is His prophet, O ..... ... . , |