Civilization vs. Barbarism

CIVILIZATION VS, BARBARISM. BY A. WOOTTON.

Some one has said that the civilization of our age is only a thin crust covering a seething volcano of barbarism, which needs only a slight disturbance to cause it to break forth in its fury. It is to be hoped that this is an exaggerated statement, but the acknow- ledgment must be made that there is much truth underlying it. The civilization displayed in the polished manners and culture of the higher classes is not unmixed with relics of barbarism, as witnessed in the indifference manifest on every hand to the sufferings of the poorer classes through poverty and misfortune. Science and art are taxed to their utmost to invent and pro- duce for the benefit of humanity, engines and devices to assist in furnishing the necessaries, comforts and luxuries of life so cheaply that they may be enjoyed by the poor as well as the rich; while the same God-given brain power is used in inventing diabolical engines for the rapid and wholesale destruction of human life, and which will, incidentally, cause sorrow and mourning to the survivors. Millions are spent in the cause of popular education, which is one of the highest indications of civilization, and the barbarism is displayed when, after receiving the benefits thereof, men use the knowledge and power thus gained for selfish ends to that extent that they will oppress their fellow-men. Civilization builds churches in which to teach the doctrines of love to God and "peace on earth and good will to man;" but let the alarm of fire be sounded and the devotees in their eager desire to- save themselves, will mercilessly trample under their feet the aged, the weak and the helpless. Noble examples of heroism there are, where men risk and

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sometimes sacrifice their lives for their friends, and even for strangers; but the fact that the praises of such are published abroad and sounded on every tongue, is an indication that these instances are the notable exceptions and not the rule. The spirit of the times leads to the belief that the crust of civ- ilization is rapidly solidifying, and that the outbursts of barbarism

are becoming less frequent and less violent. This is forcibly ap- parent in the humane conduct of the Spanish-American war and patient avoidance of bloodshed and other cruelties that are always incident to warfare. Another favorable indication is the disposi- tion of the nations to settle their disputes by friendly arbitration rather than resort to the time-established, though barbaric, arbit- trament of brute force. In a social way the tendency for the better is manifest in the increased comfort provided for the inmates of work-houses, insane asylums, prisons and other institutions for the care of the unfor- tunate, as also in the considerate treatment they receive. The de- crease of corporal punishment in the schools and the acknowledg- ment that children have rights that teachers are under some obli- gation to respect, the laws to protect workmen against unfavor- able conditions that may be prevented by employers, and laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals, are all indicative of the strength- ening of Christian civilization. Besides these, the rapid spread of the spirit of religious liberty throughout the nations, and the ten- dency among individuals to treat, with some degree of respect, men of opposite religious views may be mentioned as among the most forcible forecasts of the better times to come; for it is through these conditions only that the Gospel may be preached to every nation, kindred, tongue and people preparatory to the coming of

our Lord to reign on the earth.