28 
existence of the first created man, or Adam ; the coming of the 
Second Adam, “the Lord from Heaven,” or the beginning of 
“ the new creation,” is an event in human history that is not very 
remote. Christianity is a fact , just as “ civilization is a tact ; 
and the history of modern civilization is little else than the history 
50. He must he a poor anthropologist who would attempt to 
pursue “ the noblest study of mankind ” and leave out of considera- 
tion their religions. Now mark not only what Christianity has 
done and still is doing for humanity ; mark also its theory 0 ID f^ 
origin and history and destiny, as propounded by its Divine Author 
Its theory of the past is precisely what I have advocated that 
also of the old Hebrew Scriptures. Christ came as a Restorer, 
and He made the true criterion of pure social life that which, He 
tells us, was “in the beginning,” when “ God created man male 
and female,” and of “ these twain made one flesh. it, then, »ir 
John Lubbock desires the highest idea or theory of marriage, he 
hasitin Christ’s own words. Butitisa theory not compatible with 
man’s origin in a low and grovelling condition as a development out 
of some brute. According to Christ the perfect idea was first and had 
its origin in God’s own plan and man’s creation. There is not a doubt 
as all Christian moralists admit, that marriage is the foundation oi 
society and therefore of civilized life. After the relaxation o e 
primitive law of God among the Jews, and the corruption of their 
morals, the burden of the old prophets was a constant cry against 
impurity, and the re-proclamation of the original sanctity of marriage, 
based upon the same high theory of its being a perfect union or 
oneness. And, “ Wherefore one ? ’Lasks the prophet Malachi ; to 
which he also gives this reply: “That there might be a go y 
seed ” or progeny, as the guarantee of a proper education in e 
nurture and Admonition of the Lord ; ’’—that is, in order to secure 
a true civilization. „ , ee . n 
51. Christ came also as “the Healer of the nations and to 
take away the sin of the world.” Stretched out upon the cross ot 
Calvary, He offered himself a Holy Sacrifice for the sins of the 
whole world. He died ; but the grave could not hold Him . He 
ascended into heaven, to receive gifts of grace for man ; and He 
ever lives at God's right hand to make continual intercession tor 
the weary and heavy laden with sin, and to give pardon to the 
penitent ! And all for what general purpose ? For the regenera- 
tion of humanity ; for the restoration, to all who will, of that 
uprightness and original perfection we have lost, to accomplish, t a 
is, in the very highest sense, nothing less than our Civilization. 
52. But the process of amelioration is moral. Man s will is not 
Chap. ii. 15. 
