Forbidden paths in the land of Og; . mbers of a race above the brute crea-tion. Christianity, which has made possible oc-cidental civilization, must touch these easternlands in its purity. Nor may it be the effete, decaying Christianity(so-called) of the oriental church. The results ofthis form of religion are manifest,—deadening ofall spiritual aspirations, and temporal ascendencyof the clergy. The land is cursed with various sects of the church are more politicalthan theological, and each one strives for its ownadvancement in power at the expense of theothers and to the detrimen
Forbidden paths in the land of Og; . mbers of a race above the brute crea-tion. Christianity, which has made possible oc-cidental civilization, must touch these easternlands in its purity. Nor may it be the effete, decaying Christianity(so-called) of the oriental church. The results ofthis form of religion are manifest,—deadening ofall spiritual aspirations, and temporal ascendencyof the clergy. The land is cursed with various sects of the church are more politicalthan theological, and each one strives for its ownadvancement in power at the expense of theothers and to the detriment of real church lifeand growth. The whole head is sick, and thewhole heart faint. Political civilization has beentried and found wanting. Political religionhas kept the whole country at a low ebb of men-tal, moral and spiritual attainment. The trans-Jordanic regions will remain in grossdarkness, if left to the ministrations of the churchwest of the river. No; the prevailing orientalChristianity of the present time must be su- 246. Conclusion—Contrasts and Hopes perseded, even as the misguided efforts of the Cru-saders came to an end. There is needed the infusion of a regeneratinginfluence entirely foreign to the politico-supersti-tious fabric now investing the land. This influ-ence must be sought from above,—sent down inthe Word of God, exemplified in the lives ofGods servants. The ignorance of the ages mustbe overcome by a wholesome, effective educa-tional and evangelizing system based upon theBible. Only thus may the land make permanentadvance. The kingdom of God is a plant of slow it is surely blossoming out into the perfectfruition born of divinity. One day is with theLord as a thousand years, and a thousand yearsas one day. The spiritual regeneration of Syriaand Palestine is but a part of the divine the reach of Christs undertaking,—anew moral creation of the whole race, and therestoration of it to God in the grand unity of aspiritual king
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