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Show I Fi5oSiNRijMm' I' -fhe members of the Genealogical committee of the Ogden Stake-Relief society refer their stake and local workers to the following extract from iM liner's "Religious Denominations" as an aid in their ancient historv work: State of the World In General, at the J Birth of Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ made his up-I up-I pearance on earth, a great part of tho j world was subject to the Roman empire. em-pire. This empire was much the largest temporal monarchy that had i ever existed, so that it was called all the world (Luke ii. 1). The time when the Romans first subjugated tho land of Judea, was between sixty and seventy years before Christ was born; and soon after this tho Roman empire rose to its greatest extent and splendor. splen-dor. To this government the world continued subject till Christ came, and many hundred years afterwards. The remoter nations, that had submitted to the yoke of this mighty empire, wore ruled either by Roman governors, gover-nors, invested with temporary commissions, com-missions, or by their own princes and laws, in subordination to the republic, whose sovereignty was acknowledged, and to which the conquered kings, who were continued in their own dominions, owed their borrowed majesty. maj-esty. At the same time, the Roman people, and their venerable senate, though they had not lost all shadow of liberty, were yet in reality reduced to a state of servile submission to Augustus Caesar, who, by artifice, perfidy and bloodshed, attained an enormous degree of power, and united in his own person tho pompouB titles of emperor, .pontiff, censor, tribune or the people; in a word, all the great offices of the state. At this period, the Romans, according accord-ing to Daniel's prophetic description, had trodden down the kingdoms, and by their exceeding strength devoured the whole earth. However, by enslaving enslav-ing the world, they civilized it; and whilst they oppressed mankind, they united thorn together. The same laws were everywhere established, and the same languages understood. Men ap proached nearer to one another in sentiments and manners; and the in-' in-' tercourso between the most distant regions of the earth was rendered secure se-cure and agreeable. Hence, the benign be-nign influenco of letters and philosophy philos-ophy was spread abroad in countries i which had been before enveloped in the darkest ignorance. Just before Christ was born, the Roman empire not only rose to its greatest height, but also settled in peace. Augustus Caesar had been for many years establishing the stato ot the Roman empire, and subduing his enemies, till the very year that Christ was born; then, all his enemies being reduced to subjection, nis aominion over the world appeared to be settled set-tled in its greatest glory. This remarkable re-markable peace, after so many ages . of tumult and war, was a fit prelude I to the ushering of the glorious Pnnco I into the world. The tranquility which then reigned was necessary to enable the ministers of Christ to execute with success their sublime commission to the human race. In the situation into I which the providence of God had I . brought the world, the gospel in a few years reached those remote corners of the earth into which it could not otherwhao have penetrated for many 1 ages. All the heathen nations, at the time of Christ's appearance on earth, worshipped a multiplicity of gods and demons, whose favor they courted by obscene and ridiculous ceremonies, and whoso anger they endeavored to appease by the most abominable ."V cruelties. ' Every nation had its respective i gods, over which one, more excellent II than the rest, presided, yet in such a manner, that the supreme deity was himself controlled by the rigid de-I de-I crees of fate, or by what the philoso-I philoso-I phers called eternal necessity. ' The deities of almost all nations were either ancient heroes renowned I for able exploits and worthy deeds i or kings or generals, who had founded found-ed empires, or women who had be-I be-I come illustrious by remarkable actions ac-tions or useful inventions. ! -From those beings of nobler kind, idolatry descended into an enormous I multiplication of inforior powers; so i that, in many countries, mountains, ; trees and rivers, the earth, the sea ' and wind, nay, even virtues and vices, and diseases, had their shrines attended at-tended by devout and zealous worshippers. wor-shippers. These deities were honored with rites and sacrifices of various kinds, according to their respective, nature and offices. Most nations offered animals and human sacrifices were universal in ancient times. They were in use among the Egyptians Ull tho reign of Amasis. They were never so common among the Greeks and Romans; Ro-mans; yot they were practiced by them on extraordinary occasions. Porphyry says "that the Greoks were wont to sacrifice men when they went I to war.." He relates, also, "that hu- B man sacrifices were ofrcrca at Rome I till the reign of Adrian, who ordered L them to bo abolished in most places." " Pontiffs, priests and ministers, dls- f) trlbuied into several classes, preside ' ed over the Pagan worship, and were U appointed to prevent disorder in the performance of religious rites. The religious worship of the Pagnns wore confined to certain times and places. Besides the public worship of tho gods, to which all, without exception, wero admitted, there were certain rites celebrated in secret by the Greeks, and several eastern countries to which a small number was allowed access. These were called mysteries. JJut the reigning religion was totally external. It held no body of doctrines Tho only faith required was to believe that gods exist, and reward virtue, eithor in this life or in that to come; the only practice, to perform at intervals in-tervals some religious acts, such as appearing in solemn festivals and sacrificing at the public altars. The spirit and genius of the Pagan religion was not calculated to promote moral virtue. The gods and goddesses, to whom public worship was paid, exhibited to their adorers examples of egregious crimes, rather than of useful and illustrious il-lustrious virtues. Tho priests wero little solicitous to animate tho people peo-ple to virtuous conduct, either by precept pre-cept or example. They plainly onough declared that all which was essential to me true worship of tho gods was contained in tho rites and institutions which the people had receivod by tradition tra-dition from thoir ancestors. Hence the wiser part of mankind, about the time of Christ's birth, looked upon tho whole system of religion as a just object ob-ject and ridicule and contempL The consequence of this state of theology was an universal corruption of manners. When the Romans had subdued the world they lost their own liberty, ufany vices, engendered or nourished by prosperity, delivered them over to the vilest of tyrants that over afflicted afflict-ed or disgraced human nature. Despotic Des-potic power was accompanied with all tho odious vices which are usually found in its train, and they rapidly grew to an incredible pitch. The colors col-ors are not too strong which the apostle employes in drawing the character of that age, in Rom. i. 21, 22 etc., and in Eph. Iv. 17-19. At the time of Chris't's appearance I on earth, the religion of tho Romans, as well as their arms, had extended itself throughout a great part of the world. In the provinces subjected to the Roman government, there arose a new kind of religion, formed by a mixture mix-ture of the ancient rites of the con quored nations with those of the Romans. Ro-mans. Those nations, who, beforo their subjection, had their own gods, and their own particular religious institutions in-stitutions were persuaded by degrees to admit into their worship a groat variety of the sacred rites and customs cus-toms of the conquerors. When, from the sacred rites of the ancient Romans, we pass to review the other religions which prevailed in the world, it will appear obvious that the most remarkable may be proper ly divided into two classes one of which will comprehend the religious systems which owe their existence to political viows; and the other, of those which seem to have been formed for military purposes. Tho religion ot most of the eastern nations may be ranked in the former class, especial-, ly that of the Persians, Egyptians and Indians, which appear to have been solely calculated for the preservation of the state, the support of the royal authority and grandeur, tho maintenance mainten-ance of public peace, and the advancement advance-ment of civil virtues. The religious system of the northern nations may be comprehended under the military class; since all the traditions among the Germans, the Bretons, the Celts and tho Goths, concerning their divinities, divini-ties, have a manifest tendency to excite ex-cite and nourish fortitude, ferocity, an Insensibility of danger and contempt of life. At this time Christianity broke forth frgm the cast liko a rising sun, and dispelled tho universal religious darkness which obscured every part of tho globe, "The noblost people," says Dr. Robertson, "that ever entered upon the stage of the world, appear to have been only instruments in tho Divine Hand, for the execution and wise purposes concealed from themselves. them-selves. The Roman ambition and bravery paved the way, and prepared the world., for the reception of the Christian doctrine. They fought and conquered, that it might triumph with the greater ease (seo Isaiah x 7). By means of their victories, the overruling over-ruling providence of God established an empire which really possesses that perpetuity and eternal duration which they vainly arrogated to their own. Ho erected a throne which shall continue con-tinue forever, and of the "Increase of that government there shall be no end." It has been mentioned to tho honor of Christianity that it rose and flourished flour-ished in a learned, Inquiring and discerning dis-cerning age; and made tho most rapid and amazing progress through tho imrhense empire of Rome, to its ro motest limits, when the world was in its most civilized state, and in an age that was universally distinguished for science and erudition. State of the Jewish Nation at the Birth of Christ. The state of tho Jews was not much better than that of other nations, na-tions, at the time of Cnnst's appearance appear-ance on earth They were governed by Herod, a descendant of Esau who was himself tributary to the Roman people. His government wns of' the most vexatious and oppressive kind. By a cruel, suspicious and overbearing overbear-ing temper ho drew upon himself the aversion of all, not excepting those who lived upon his bounty. Under his administration and through his Influence, the luxury of tho Romans was introduced into Palestine, Pal-estine, accompanied with the vices of that licentious peopjo. In a word, Judea, governed by Herod, groaned under all the corruption which might be .expected from the authority and example of a prince who, though a Jew in outward profession, was, in point of morals and practice, a contemner of all laws, human and divine. After the death of this tyrant, the Romans divided the government or Judea between his sons. In this division, di-vision, one-half the kingdom was given giv-en to Archelaus, under tho title of lixarcb. Archelaus was so corrupt and wicked a prince thatvat last both Jews and Samaritans joined in a petition pe-tition against him to Augustus, who banished him from his dominions, about ten years after the death ot Herod the Great Judea was by this sentence reduced to a Roman province prov-ince and ordered to be taxed. The governors whom the Romans appointed over Judea, were frequently frequent-ly changed, but seldom for the better. bet-ter. About the sixteenth year of Christ, Pontius Pilate was appointed governor, tho whole ol wnoso administration, admin-istration, according to Josephus, was one continual scene of venality, rapine and of every kind of savage cruelty. Such a governor was ill calculated to appease the ferments occasioned by the late tax. Indeed, Pilate was so far from attempting at-tempting to appease, that he greatly inflamed them, by taking every occasion occas-ion of introducing his standards, with images, pictures, and consecrated shields, into their city; and at last by attempting to drain the treasury of the temple, under pretense of bringing an aqueduct into Jerusalem. The most remarkable re-markable transaction of his government, govern-ment, however, was his condemnation of Jesus Christ; seven years after which he was removed from Judea. However severe was the authority which the Romans exercised over the Jews, yot It did not extend to the entire en-tire suppression of their civil and religious re-ligious privileges. The Jews were, in some measure, governed by their own laws, and permitted the enjoyment of their religion. The administration of religious ceremonies was committed as before, to the high priest, and to the Sanhedrin; to the former of whom the order ot priests and Levites was in tho usual subordination; and the form of outward worship, except In a very few points, had surfered no visible change. But, on the other hand, it is impossible to express the disquietude and disgust, the calamities and vexations vexa-tions which this unhappy nation suffered suf-fered from the presence of the Romans, Ro-mans, whom tholr religion obliged them to regard as a poluted and idolatrous idola-trous people. It was not, however, from the Romans Ro-mans only, that the calamities of this miserable people proceeded. Their own rulers multiplied their vexations, and debarred them from enjoying any little lit-tle comforts, which wero left them by the Roman magistrates. The leaders of the people, and the chief priests, wero, according to the account of Josephus, profligate wretches, who had purchased purchas-ed their places by bribes, or by other acts of iniquity, and who maintained their III -acquired authority by the most abominable crimes, Tho inferior priests, and those who possessed any shadow of authority, were become dissolute dis-solute and abandoned to the highest degree. The multitude, excited by these corrupt examples, ran headlong into every kind of iniquity; and by their endless seditions, robberies, and extortions, armed against themselves both the justico of God and vengeance of man, About tho time of Christ's appearance, appear-ance, the Jews of that age concluded the period pre-determined by God to be then completed, and that the promised prom-ised Messiah would suddenly appear. Devout persons waited day and night for the consolation of Isreal; and tho whole nation, groaning under the Roman Ro-man yoke, and stimulated by the desire de-sire of liberty or of vengeance, expected ex-pected their deliverer with tho most anxious impatience. Nor were these expectations peculiar to the Jews. By their dispersion among so many nations; by their conversation conversa-tion with the learned men among the heatthens; and by the translations of their Inspirod writings into a language almost universal, the principles of their religion wero spiead all over the east. It became the common belief, that a prince would rise at that time in Judea, who would change the face of the world, and extend his empire from one end of the earth to the other. Two religions flourished at this time in Palestine; the Jewish and Samaritan. Samar-itan. The Samaritans blended the' errors er-rors of Paganism with the doctrines of the Jews. Tho whole body of the people looked for a powerful and warlike war-like deliverer, who, they supposed, would free them from the Roman authority. au-thority. All considered the whole of religion as consisting in the rites appointed ap-pointed by Moses, and in the performance perfor-mance of some external acts of duty. All were unanimous in excluding the other nations of the world from the hopes of eternal life. The learned among tho Jews wore divided into a great variety of sects. The Pharises, the Sadduceos, and Es-senes, Es-senes, eclipsed the othor denominations. denomina-tions. The most celebrated of tho' Jewish sects was that of tho Pharisees. This denomination, by their apparent appar-ent sanctity of manners, had rendered thftmsp.lvps nvtrnmo.1v nnniilwr Thp multitude, for the most part, espoused espous-ed their interests; and the great, who feared their artifice, wero frequently obliged to court their favor. Hence they obtained the highest offices both in the state and priesthood, and had great weight both in public and private pri-vate affairs. It appears from the frequent fre-quent mention which is mado by tho evangelists of the Scribes and Pharisees Phari-sees in conjunction, that the greatest number of Jewish teachers or doctors of the law, wero, at that time, of tho Pharisaical sect The principal doctrines of tho Pharisees Phar-isees aro as follows: That the oral lav, which they suppose God delivered to Moses by an archangel on Mount Sinai, and which is preserved by tradition, tra-dition, is of equal authority, with tho written law: That, by observing both these laws, a man may not only obtain ob-tain justification with God, but perform meritorious works of supererogation: That fasting, alms-giving, ablutions, and confessions, are sufficient atonements atone-ments for sin. That thoughts and desires de-sires are not sinful, unless they are carried into action. This denomination denomina-tion acknowledged the immortality of the soul, futuro rewards and punishments, punish-ments, the existence of good and ovll angels, and tho resurrection of the body. They maintain both tho freedom free-dom of the will and absolute predis-tinatlon, predis-tinatlon, and adopted the Pythagorean doctrine of tho transmigration of souls, excepting tho notoriously wicked, whom they supposed consigned to eternal et-ernal punishment. Thfl sect of the Sadducees derived its origin and name from ono Sadoc, who flourished iu tho reign of Ptolemy Philadolphus. about 263 years before Christ Tho chief heads o'f the Saddu-ceau Saddu-ceau doctrine are as follows: All laws nnd traditions, not comprehended in tho written law, are to be rejected ns irerely human inventions. Neither angels an-gels nor spirits havo a distinct existence, exis-tence, separate from -tholr corporeal vestment. The soul of man, therefore, expires with the body. There will be no resurrection of the dead, nor rewards re-wards and punishments after his life. Man is not subject to Irresistible fato, but has the framing of his condition chiefly in his power. Polygamy ought to bo practiced. The practices of the Pharisees and Sadduceed wero both perfectly suitable suit-able to their sentiments. The former were notorious hypocrites; the latter, scandalous libertines. Tho Essenes were a Jewish sect Some suppose they took their rise from that dispersion of their nation, which took place after tho Babylonian 1 captivity. They maintained that re- wards and punishments extended to the soul alone, and considered the body as a mass of malignant matter, and the prison of the immortal spirit i The greatest part of this sect considered consid-ered the laws of Moses as an allegori- , cal system of spiritual and mysterious truity, and renounced all regard to the outward letter in its explanation. Besides these eminent Jewish sects, there were several of the Inferior note, at tho time of Christ's appearance: tho Herodians, mentioned by the sacred writers; and the Gaulonites, by Jo-j sephus. i Whilst the learned and sensible part ' or tho Jewish nation was divided into a variety of sects, the multitude was sunk into the most deplorable ignor-anco ignor-anco of religion, and had no conception concep-tion of any other method of rendering themselves acceptable to God than by sacriGces, washings and other external i rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic j law. Henco proceeded that dissolute-1 noss of manners which prevailed . among tho Jews during Christ's ministry min-istry ou earth. Hence also the divine Savior compares the people to shoep without a shepherd, and their doctors: to men who, though deprived of. sight,) yet pretend to show the way to others. The Jews multiplied so prodigiously, prodigious-ly, that the narrow bounds of Palestine Pales-tine were no longer sufficient to contain con-tain them. They poured, theroforp: their increasing numbers into the j neighboring countries wth such rap - , idit'y, that, at the time of Christ's birth, there was scarcely a province in tho empire where they were not cnrrylng on commerce and exorcising other lu- , crativo arts. They wero defended in i foreign countries against injurious ' treatment by the special edicts of the magistrates. This was absolutely nec-essary; nec-essary; since, in most places, the remarkable re-markable difference of their religion and manners from those of other na-1 Uons, exposed them to tho hatred audi indignation of the ignorant and bigoted multitude. "All this," says Dr. Mosheim, "appears "ap-pears to havo been most singularly and wisely directed by the adorablo hand of an interposing providence, to tho end, that this people, Avhich was the solo depository of the true rollgion and of the knowledgo of one supreme God, being spread abroad through the whole earth, might be everywhere, by tholr oxamplo, a reproach to superstition, supersti-tion, contribute in soino measure to check it and thus prepare the way for that yet fullor discovery of divine truth, which was to shine upon the world from the ministry and gospel of the Son of God." |
