The Defeat Of The Turk

We think tliat no one can read Walace's book on Buasia, published a year ago - ccrtainly one of the most genuine and thoroxigh books ever wiitten - without concluding that tho practical holdng of the Christian religión in Bussia s very incompetent, if not corrupt. There is no part of the Roman church ;hat would seem to be any more superstitions than the Greek, as it existe in Etussia. The clergy are far from being olaineless and oxemplary men, and the vitalities cf Ohristianity seem to onr Protestant notions hardly to bo appreiiended at all. Yet Christianity is held, even in Bussia, in such a f orm that improvemeut and growth are not only pos3iblo but practically secured. There is improveraent from century to centiiry. The light of learning grows brighter and brighter. Tho rule of absolutism is softened. The serfs havo been set at liberty, and the legical resulta of this great act are all in the direction of progress, thongh the progress be slow. The people have simple wants, but they are comfortable, and in this last great war they have exhibited the most splendid and enduriug quilities. And it is to be remembered that they have won their position in the world againstthe depressng influences of an inhospitable climate and a stingy soil. The Turk, en the other hand, has had j all the advantages of prestige, climate, j soil and position ; but tho Koran has been his sacred book, and Mohammed has been his prophet. Dr. Storrs, in hits recent a&dress, characterized him aa monotheist, fatalist, fa natie and sensualist. Ilis monotheism lias probably not injured him, but the fatalism, fanaticism and sensualism, that have come from his aoceptonce of Mohammed as the one prophet of the one God, have placed him forever outside of the path of improvemeut, and only decay and denth lic before him. Monotheism, as taught by Mohammed and held by the Turk, forms fhe basis of a civilization I which cannot possibly stand before the aggressive foroe of a nation which builds upon Ohristiauity - though most incompetently and unworthily. Of course the Turk will not sec this, and cannot be brought to adnait it, but the world sees it and ought to learn its lesson from if. One nation has its eyes open, and is looking for light in all directions. It ir striving to keep abreast of the best civilization of the world. It is sympathet.ic witu freedom and j tion. The other learns nothing. It sees nothing worthy outside of itself, and is as savage to day - as remorsele s and sensual and intolerant - as in the days of its power and p'ride. So Bnssiii is to increase uutil it shall become a I great, overshadowing power, and i kev in to dwindle nntil sho sinks