IN CHURCH HISTORY. 91 



sider may be likened to the spring-time. Not 

 indeed to the balmy days of spring, but to those 

 days which come with sunshine and storms, hail 

 and sleet, yet with clearer light ; longer days, less 

 of night in them, and give promise of summer at 

 hand. 



There are few periods of history more impor- 

 tant than the four centuries now to be examined. 

 Changes, overturnings, and the infusion of new 

 ideas, became the order of the times. 



We will try to select some of the leading features, 

 as we did in the preceding period. Among the 

 many points worthy of attention, there are five 

 which stand out prominently. 



First, the Crusades. Second, the corruptions of 

 the faith by the Roman Church. Third, the de- 

 cline of Feudalism. Fourth, the inventions and 

 discoveries. Fifth, the movements which led to 

 reform. 



The Crusades. — The victorious march of the 

 Saracens in the east led them to Jerusalem in the 

 beginning of the tenth century. Their banners 

 were planted over the holy places. The rallying 

 cry of the Christians was raised by Sylvester, the 

 new pope of Rome, who succeeded to that position 

 a. d. 998. "Soldiers of Christ, arise and fight foi 

 Zion," were his words, which rang out over the 

 West. There was no response at first, while yet 



