POSITION IN THE WEST 159 



history of the race. In all the developments in 

 which we see the West endeavouring to present 

 to the human mind the tremendous ideals of the 

 Christian religion, one aim seems almost invariably 

 at some stage to become dominant in the fighting 

 mind of those who have held power in the West. 

 In the development of its churches, of its creeds, 

 of its nationalities, of its theories of the State in 

 relation to civilization, the West has continuously 

 made interpretations of the interest or of the aims 

 of the Christian religion, or of some system of 

 national policy proceeding from them, the occasion 

 for entrenching itself in absolutisms always resting 

 on force, always organized by force, and always 

 aiming directly or indirectly to impose themselves 

 by force on other people. 



The principal theme of the history of the West 

 is the theme of these universal wars of slaughter 

 carried on by nations and peoples in the name of 

 the principles of the religion of universal peace. In 

 these conflicts, despite all appearances to the con- 

 trary, right, truth, and justice have been almost 

 without exception, just as in the pagan world, made 

 to rest in the last resort on successful force. The 

 combatants on each side proclaim the principles of 

 Christianity to be part of their cause. And after 

 their victories they carry the battle-stained banners 



