istory, the cross, therefore, appears to have
expressed a plan as simple as it was noble and great, which consisted in
peaceably uniting men, on principles of good-will, peace, equity, equality
and mutual help, of instituting and organizing communal life, and of
regulating its activity in accord with the immutable laws which govern the
movements of celestial bodies, causing the circumpolar constellations to
assume opposite positions, forming the sign of the cross, and marking
seasons, days and years, all testifying to the existence of a single,
all-ruling, all-pervading, stable and eternal central power, who thus
controlled not only the heavens but, by a human representative, the
earthly kingdom, laid out on the celestial plan.

Considering that no less an authority than St. Augustine has asserted
"that which is now called the Christian religion existed among the
ancients, and in fact was with the human race from the beginning," it is
permissible to ask whether the above scheme does not strikingly
substantiate his dictum, afford a deep view under the surface of
accumulated dogma and a perception of the mighty principle that has been
at work from the beginning of all things and was understood by many at
that time when "the people that sat in darkness saw great light, and to
them which sat in the region and shadow of death light sprang up."...
"From that time Jesus began to preach and say, 'Repent: for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand' " (Matthew IV, 16, 17). Adopting the cross as the
emblem of his earthly mission he said: "If any man will come after me, let
him take up his cross and follow me." By the words: "I bear in my body the
mark of the Lord Jesus," St. Paul designates the recognized "mark" to have
been the quadruplicate cross of the Saviour, who charged his apostles to
preach, saying: "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" and promised them that
"ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall
sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew XIX, 28). The mother of
Zebedee's children came unto him asking that her sons might sit "the one
on thy right hand and the other on thy left, in thy kingdom" (Matthew XX,
20). Repeatedly, the Teacher, referring to children, said "of such is the
kingdom of heaven," or "Except ye be converted and become as little
children ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." St. Paul and his
follow