Christian Barbarism

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1908

Christian Barbarism

STUBBORN facts will sometimes compel the denial of cherished theories. Thus the Christian Observer, commenting upon the murder of ex-Senator E. W. Carmack, in Nashville, Tenn., speaks some plain truth:

We call ourselves a Christian nation, and boast of our refinement and culture, and pride ourselves on our works of philanthropy and religion. We speak with great eclat of the increase of civility, of our educational institutions and our pursuit of high ideals; yet we have to confess with shame that the barbarian and the brute is not far below the surface. Let some one accuse us wrongfully, or offend our self-important dignity, or assail us abusively, and straightway we seek his life. The thirst for blood wakes in us like the craving of a man-eating lion. All our peace of mind, all our satisfaction in life, is swallowed up in the mad desire to imbrue our hands in our enemy’s blood, and, driven by an insane passion for revenge, we accomplish our mad desire. It is a reproduction of the jungle, a recrudescence of savagery, an orgy of the lust for blood.

Even the declaration of the United States Supreme Court that “this is a Christian nation” does not change the hearts of men, and the steady increase of crime, often unprovoked and more and more revolting in its nature, testifies to the fact that the true spirit of Christianity does not rule the conduct of men. The prophet was right when he said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked;” and only divine power can create a clean heart and overcome the evil nature.