DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4642#0061
BETHLEHEM.
But a third Period was to come, of a totally different character from either of the past, and employing a
totally different species of action. In this Period, which is our own, mankind was to be governed by separate
and contemporaneous Sovereignties; thus constituting a rivalry of states, that rivalry compelling nations to
cultivate their peculiar means of power, and that cultivation, obviously tending to bring into the fullest
activity all the variety and vigour of individual character. This change too was the subject of miracle and
prophecy. In the vision of the King of Babylon, the division of the Western Empire into ten Sovereignties
was distinctly shewn a thousand years before its fulfilment; the prophecies of our Lord, and the Apocalypse,
splendidly and unanswerably filling up that astonishing developement of Providence. It is clear, that
whatever may be the other high purposes of Christianity, one was to provide a new Religion for this new
period. Its whole texture was evidently intended for a more advanced time than the era of Governments
acting solely by the pressure of irresponsible power. Its constant appeals to the common-sense of man, its
demands on the exercise of personal judgment, its declarations of the general accountability, and its promises
of future glory to all orders of men alike, in proportion to the performance of their duty here; contain at
once all the essentials of human freedom, and all the loftier excitements which can awake the human mind to
the most vivid exertion of its talents and virtues. This Religion too was given about five hundred years
before the time for which it was especially designed, that of the European Kingdoms.
In the few lines to which we are limited in these pages, allusion only can be made to its palpable
effect, in creating a series of questions of the highest importance to mankind, yet which had never occurred
before—the education of the people, the improvement of their condition, the general elevation of their
habits, and the relief of their necessities under the various circumstances of human suffering. We even find
all those objects contemplated from the earliest announcement of Christianity. The first declaration of our
Lord was, that He came to heal the spiritual and physical maladies of the multitude, commencing by that
most direct and comprehensive of all mercies — the preaching of the Gospel to the poor.1 His whole career
was an exemplification of this announcement; from day to day, He alike healed disease and preached the
Gospel; often among the outcasts, always among the multitude. Even in the awful hour of the
Crucifixion, as if to prove the inexhaustible spirit of a mission which reached from the highest glory of
Heaven to the lowest depths of human nature; He bore with Him a repentant criminal to Paradise.
It is admitted, that Christianity has not hitherto accomplished all its purposes; that a large portion of
the world still lies under despotism, and a larger still under barbarian ignorance. Yet we are to remember,
that Christianity appeals only to the heart and understanding; that it makes no use of physical power;
that it disdains all attempts to allure the passions or dazzle the senses; and that against it is arrayed the
whole active and interested corruption of man. Still, it is beyond all denial, that in proportion as
Christianity has been acknowledged, the whole condition of society has advanced; that Law has obtained
higher influence; property has been rendered more secure; Science has stretched a more vigorous flight;
the general mind become more intelligent; subordination been less slavish, and authority at once more
lenient and more limited. The Gospel, even now, draws the circle of light and darkness; Christendom is the
intellectual portion of the world. But still higher results may be awaiting mankind. The future can be only
matter of hope. But there are illustrious intimations in the Scriptures that the progress of good shall not
continue thus tardy, beyond a certain time. Of the three great forms of human Society—Clanship, Empire,
and Kingdoms, the last is probably drawing to its close. Prophecy announces one form to come; but it is
still wrapt in clouds. The Atonement must for ever shine as the leading glory of the Christian triumph;
but who shall say, that splendours beyond all existing conceptions may not yet follow in its train, scatter
the darkness and guilt of the Fall, and more than reinstate the original grandeur of the race of man ?
1 Luke iv. 18.