Page:Essays on Catholicism, Liberalism, and Socialism.djvu/30

with mysterious imprecations, to desert the city. Woe to that city wherein resounds the fearful cry, "The gods have fled—the gods have abandoned us!" The people of Israel were invincible so long as Moses held uplifted hands toward God, and could no longer conquer when these fell powerless. Moses is a type of the human race, proclaiming through all ages, though under various and diverse forms, the omnipotence of God and man's dependence, the power of religion, and the efficacy of prayer.

Rome fell because her gods succumbed; her empire was destroyed because her theology became extinct; and history thus plainly exhibits the great principle that lies in the deepest recesses of the human conscience. Rome had given to the world her Cesars and her gods. Jupiter and Cesar Augustus divided between them the imperial authority over things human and divine. Amid the rise and fall of mighty empires, never since the creation had a power existed under the sun of so august a majesty, and so surprising a grandeur. All nations, even the most rude and unpolished, had submitted to her yoke. The world had laid down its arms, and held still.

About this time was born in the land of prodigies, in an humble stable, and of mean parentage, a most wonderful child. It was said of Him, that at the time of his advent among men, a new star shone forth in the heavens; that, scarcely born, he was worshiped by shepherds and kings; that heavenly spirits had spoken to men, and appeared in the sky; that his mysterious and incommunicable name had been predicted from the beginning of the world; that the prophets had foretold his reign; and that even the sibyls had chanted his vic-