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Show FAITH AND PROGRESS. - (Written for Intermountain Catholic.) Taking as his thesis "Agnosticism and Xational Decay," Dr. William Barry, priest and author,' quoted in a late number of the Literary Digest, essays to logically demonstrate that, due to a decay de-cay of faith, there is imminent danger that the civilized nations of the world are entering upon a period of decline. That he presents at least a very plausible case, the .writer believes that all unbiased un-biased men of intelligence would unhesitatingly, concede. But there is one man of some note as a publicist who would fondly confute Dr. Barry's able and cogent arguments with, a mere suggestive phrase. !Mr. Robert Blatchford, Socialist and agnostic leader (significant, is it not?) is quoted as saying, in his paper, the London Clarion, that the answer to Dr. Barry's main contention may be put into two words "Russia and Japan." "Russia is orthodox and Christian; Japan is un-Christian and largely agnostic." It is abundantly evident, that this Socialist and agnostic deems his terse criticism, when the obvious significance is attached to his words, as conclusive and final. That they are really not at all pertinent or applicable all unbiased and intelligent intelli-gent readers will readily perceive. As, however, men of Mr. Blatchford's ilk a class that is just now perniciously urgent in attempting' to foist their godless views upon an unsophisticated public are very apt to avail themselves of just such sophisms as is here implied to befog the minds of the people, a rational consideration of the points raised by the discussion may serve the purpose of enlightening the casual reader as to the true and essential bearing that the significance of Russia's ! apparent decline and Japan's unquestionable progress pro-gress has upon Dr. Barry's contention. The initial sentence of Dr. Barry's article, as it appears in the journal mentioned, is as follows: "That the future of England, as of other countries coun-tries at a like degree of culture, depends upon its attitude toward the secularist or agnostic view of life "and action, I am convinced." The significant phrase, "England, as of other countries of a like degree of culture,''1, must be carefully noted. Had. the logical import of this statement not utterly escaped the crude intellect of Dr. Barry's interested critic, he could not honestly have relied upon his epirgram as a refutation refuta-tion of that writer's thesis: he would not have been justified in attempting to institute a parallel between be-tween Russia and Japan between a Christian and a heathen people whose "culture" is essentially essenti-ally different, not only in "degree," but in kind, as well. "But," it may be asked, "if it be granted that a pagan nation may progress, and that a Christian nation may retrograde, what becomes of the con tention that Christian faith and morals are essential es-sential to thevinaterial progress of a people?" An all-sufficient answer to this should be the statement that no such contention has been made. One of the most clearly and conclusively established facts in the history of the human race is that ancient peoples, before the advent of Christianity, made much progress with the lapse of ages, not only intellectually and materially, but spiritually as well; and this is a fact that no sano man will gainsay; nor will any rational being seriously contend con-tend that the progress of the pagan peoples was, on the whole, completely arrested in any age, prior or subsequent to the beginning of our Christian era. It behooves us, however, to inquire, in a rational spirit, into the question as to whether Christianity does or does not exercise an actual influence upon modern civilization and progress and to determine, if possible, the essential character of such influence, in-fluence, if any; and this the present writer is inclined in-clined to do in the light, of "Russia and Japan," as suggested by - !Mr. Blatchford. "Socialist and agnostic;" or, to be more explicit, the writer would maintain that it can be indubitably shown, by means of a 'logical demonstration, that Christian failh and morals are primary factors in our modern civilization and progress, despite the assumed fact that "Christian" Russia is making no progress, whilst the advancement of pagan Japan in civilization civili-zation is phenomenally great. ; Of course there can be here no question of an exact mathematical demonstration; it is assumed that readers will be rationally disposed to acquiesce in all reasonable -premises and deductions. It may therefore be taken for granted that faith in the doctrines of Christianity implies a conformity con-formity of conduct to Christian ethics. Will any one deny that this, in turn, implies justice and charity in the affairs of men? If many nominal Christians are not animated, in their conduct, by these principles, does not their non-conformity prove, that their professions of faith are insincere, and , that they are unjust and uncharitable in despite, des-pite, of, and nrjt because of their professed faith? Does not, indeed", the conduct of such men unmistakably un-mistakably proclaim their "attitude, toward the secular or agnostic view of life and action;" and that such attiide is really a decided leaning toward to-ward these and a denial and repudiation of all Christian principles? That though Christian by profession, they are, in reality, agnostic by conviction con-viction and in sentiment? It is to the anomolous state of affairs here indicated that Dr. Barry calls attention, and to which he would ascribe the imminent im-minent decline of civilized nations. Contrast with this nominal Christianity the vital faith that animated the discoverer of this continent and the founders of thi.9 great nation. All" who have cared to inquire know that Christopher Columbus was animated by his devotion to his faith to pave the way to propogate it among savage races to undertake under-take the herculean task of reaching unexplored regions theretofore deemed inaccessible; and it is equally well known that the sturdy pilgrim fathers sought our shores of wilderness in order to be enabled en-abled to practice their faith without molestation. And just so long as the citizens of this nation remained re-mained essentially loyal to the principles of their Christian faith, we had here a united, patriotic and progressive people. If it be urged that the nation was never greater than it is today, k just and fitting response would be that, as it presents itself to the world, it is essentially es-sentially a product of Christianity. It is only during the past two or three decades that a marked decline in faith is to be noted: and what is the obvious consequence? Are there not unmistakable unmis-takable signs of decay in our national greatness? Have we not reason to contemplate our future with anxiety and dismay? And wherefore? Because of mamonism on the one hand and revolutionary socialism on the other. And are not both of these diametrically opposed to the principles of Christ- ianity? Clearly is it manifest that nothing shor of a prompt return to the principles of Christian justice and Christian amity, as the animating spirit of the American people as a whole or of an influential majority, at least can avert a crisis in the affairs of our social entity; a crisis that probably prob-ably means dire confusion and disaster to the nation. na-tion. But now, after this suggestive digression, to revert to Russia. Who so obtuse a3 not to realize that her recent humiliation is due to the un-Christian un-Christian spirit of the men who constitute her bureaucracy? 'Is it not abundantly evident that a spirit of mammon-worship, sensuai indulgence and arrogant self-aggrandizement even like unto that which animates the plutocratic dominators of our modern American society on the part of Russia's autocratic beaurocracy is prima rly responsible for the internal dissentionj, the disaffection or indifferent indif-ferent support of her soldiery and the want of preparedness for the war with Japan: a condition of affairs to which, indubitably, is due her defeat and humiliation? To digress, for a moment, from the essentially rational character of this inquiry, the writer would fain trench upon the supernatural by remarking that the 'God of nations seems to hopelessly inv poverish a people in respect to the-things that make for national or individual greatness that have impiously proven recreant to their divine heritage; who were once endowed with Christian faith and morals and who have abandoned these in their pride-of-the-flesh. either formally or virtually. But to waive all such conjecture, it shall suffice for present purposes to pursue our inquiry in a purely philosophical spirit. So much for Russia and her temporary "decline," "de-cline," which the writer would fain believe has been shown to be due to the un-Chmtian spirit of her rulers, and not at all to the Christianity actual or nominal, professed by her as a nafiotiv "i (Continued on Page - Tour.),- - 4 FAITH AND PROGRKSS. (Continued from Page One; j It is somewhat more difficult t" dc-no;): . t rationale of Japan's advance in .-: v 1 1 s ..-: i . . , j may, however, be more or clearly j a few pertinent observations. It would seem that I h-uld -ay in y, economy, but as this phrase would d-nl-i. jeeted to by our "Sociali-t and aie.-n. saries, let us sav by the mysterioii- la w- i a race in a primitive -tat.' of savagery i, i';:; , steps of "progression" by a ton c ct rn.ii : and to its individual component-; and after a race has advanced to a .-ra! ) endowed with rational intelligence do, - r ; .. by virtue of its own volition. At thi- --.(;. people's "evolution;" the ideal- to which r voted become the primary factors in it- ' : advancement. Now. the Japanese have long sine j...... . ... primitive state above alluded to. and we nu to their animating ideals for an flm-idar!.- ; : their progress in civilization in recent c : .. Here, however, we are concerned only with '; ... -vauce made during the past two or three ,..; of years: how may thi- be explained '. - Is not this due ahno.-t entirely to ;i . emulation? And where did they rind tini;- : .-spiratiou .-spiratiou and their ideals? Was it nor in Chn-r i lands ? It really seems needless to addix-o any p:- m in coroboration of the com-hi-ion- here ne,t....; for is not the world of readers amply couver.-a::;, with the facts? The final conclusion then, as to Japan'- ad- r 4 vancement in civilization in recent year.- h-.u-.-v. r perplexed the cursory student, may be a- t" th "internally" animating principle is that lhe in- j fluences were mainly, if iK-t entirely. :h-.-e , f Christian civilization, insofar as -nob nation- ;! America, England and Germany may be said t represent such civilization. As to Japan's recent military and maritime achievements, ac-hievements, there remains little to be -aid in this connection. Insofar as the country'- mart i d equipment and training were contributing factor- and no one, it may be presumed, will be di-no-ed deny that they were mo-t important factors :h, i;-source i;-source and derivation have already been shown. I r" martial valor and prowess be deemed an impor'ai .i prerequisite of civilization and national progro-, it is, undeniably, one not ai all peculiar to ti;. Christian character. But even in this re-pe- t, , modern agnosticism the agnosticism that i- (!;) result of a denial of Christian principles by :u :i who once cherinhed and were animated by their, would doubtless prove a deadly bane. Devotion t country or cau-e, of so verile a type as to imply a willingness to sacrifice life or comfort in their defense or in the promotion of their we.,1, i- neC conceivably a characteristic of men who bav. abandoned all higher ideals for sensual indulgni-5 or because of intellectual scepticism. To argue that men who professed no faith in supernatural religion exhibited as much pluck aid 1 valor in recent military and naval engagements a; did men imbued with such faith would be futile in this connection: because we have pot yet bad generations of agnostics, and the diameter of th men of our day in all civilized countries is -till largely such as were formed by a Christian civili- , j zation. The inherent savagery in all nun will impel them to fight when confronted by a foe in : mortal conflict, but it will not, of it-elf. animate! men to deliberately engage in a military cam- paign prosecuted on altruistic principles. Th? ; utilitarian 'motives commercial advantage that are the animating principle in nearly all international interna-tional relations in our day. are hardly worthy of consideration in connection with our present inquiry: in-quiry: for men who are solely actuated by such motives are utterly unreliable when there is que tion of the higher patriotism. Our captains o industry, for instance, who are ever ready to encourage en-courage a war in the interest of commerce, may be'relied upon only to insist upon ignoble and dishonorable dis-honorable peace whenever their selfish interest may lie in that direction. What, then, can we say as to the animating principle of the Japanese in their present or re cent war with Russia? We are told that they have an abiding faith in and devotion to their i s Mikado. j ! But, if this bo accepted as a rational exphui i- . j tion of their valor and military achievements, ma. v-not v-not our modern agnostics be efficaciously animated by a similar devotion? j Emphatically, no! And right here we are led t an intelligent appreciation of the significance ; the phrase employed by Dr. Barry, viz: E'hgland'-t ; degree of culture. Can any one conceive of tho average Englishman deliberately sacrificing Iim life out of devotion to his ruler? Devoted he may I be, and may take up martial arms at bis behest, i but only if he be assured that tho cause is a worthy ; one; otherwise his military service would bo giv, n J under compulsion only, and like many of the Rn sums, he would, no doubt if not in sympathy wi;'i the cause for which be is asked to do battle "b'-tray" "b'-tray" that cause whenever an opportunity for doing should present itself. ; Does it not follow, from all this, that faith m d i devotion are essential factors in all noble achievement, achieve-ment, and hence in the progress of civilization? And now that we have attained to "England's d -gree. of culture" and cannot, be animated by a faith less exalted than that instituted by Christ Jeu. h it not conclusively evident that Christian faith and morals are absolutely indispensable for thi f maintenance of our civilization and our fcrilicr j progress toward a higher national life ? ! Heretofore we have alluded to only the social virtues justice and Christian amity so absolutely necessary for the maintenance of the unity aid good will which alone make possible national ' greatness. If we pause to consider the influence j upon genuine progress of such personal virtues ,n i t j temperance, frugality, self-denial, etc.. all th logical fruit of loyalty to Christian principles and ideals and vitally essential to a sturdy tvpe of manly character, our thesis is assuredly sustained . with an hundred-fold force. "Socialists and agnostics'' may, indeed, flip i pantly discredit the claims of the Christian re-legion re-legion to their entire satisfaction, but all intelli- t gent, patriotic and aspiring men and women will continue to give it their loyal sanction. And sooner ; or later, in the providence of the Almighty, they may -discard the diluted and negative religion known as Protestantism, and once rrKre embracing' the religion of Christ in its original integrity, - avert the national decadence with which we ara ' , so imminently menaced. God hasten the day! 1 A. C. LAYMAN. , j ' i |
