he Huns,
Visigoths, Lombards and other immense tribes of Barbarians came down like
a torrent from the North, invading the fairest portions of Southern
Europe. They dismembered the Roman Empire and swept away nearly every
trace of the old Roman civilization. They plundered cities, leveled
churches and left ruin and desolation after them. Yet, though conquering
for awhile, they were conquered in turn by submitting to the sweet yoke of
the Gospel. And thus, as even the infidel Gibbon observes, "The progress
of Christianity has been marked by two glorious and decisive victories
over the learned and luxurious citizens of the Roman Empire and over the
warlike Barbarians of Scythia and Germany, who subverted the empire and
embraced the religion of the Romans."(105)

Mohamedanism took its rise in the seventh century in Arabia, and made
rapid conquests in Asia. In the fifteenth century Constantinople was
captured by the followers of the false prophet, who even threatened to
subject all Europe to their sway. For nine centuries Mohamedanism
continued to be a standing menace to christendom, till the final issue
came when it was to be decided once for all whether Christianity and
civilization on the one hand, or Mohamedanism and infidelity on the other,
should rule the destinies of Europe and the world.

At the earnest solicitation of the Pope, the kingdom of Spain and the
republic of Venice formed an offensive league against the Turks, who were
signally defeated in the battle of Lepanto, in 1571. And if the Cross,
instead of the Crescent, surmounts the cities of Europe today, it is
indebted for this priceless blessing to the vigilance of the Roman
Pontiffs.

Another adversary more formidable and dangerous than those I have
mentioned threatened the overthrow of the Church in the fourth and fifth
centuries. I speak of the great heresy of Arius, which was followed by
those of Nestorius and Eutyches.

The Arian schism, soon after its rise, spread rapidly through Europe,
Northern Africa and portions of Asia. It received the support of immense
multitudes, and flourished for awhile under the fostering care of several
successive emperors. Catholic Bishops were banished from their sees, and
their places were filled by Arian intruders. The Church which survived the
sword of Paganism seemed for awhile to yield to the poison of Arianism.
But after a short career of prosperity this gigantic sect became weakened
by intestine divisions, and w