The annals of the world
record nothing more astonishing than the Crusades.

When one man offers up fortune and life for a sentiment, he is regarded as
one different from his fellows. If an entire nation does it, it is still
more amazing. But that all the nations of a Continent, forgetting their
own private ambitions and interests, laying aside enmities and jealousies
among themselves, should unite, and for two centuries pour out life and
treasure, and expend all their energies upon an object which could bring
nothing but sacrifice--no material reward,--this is a spectacle the world
has seen but once, will never see again, and will never cease to wonder
at!

When Peter the Hermit came from Jerusalem at the close of the eleventh
century, and with burning eloquence told of the desecration of the Holy
Places in Palestine, and of the sufferings of the small band of Christians
in the Holy City, Europe rose as one man.

From sovereign to serf there was not one dissenting voice. If it took
uncounted lives, and all the treasure of Europe, the Cross, and not the
Crescent, should wave over the Holy Land.

The kingdoms united in one great "European Concert." And for what purpose?
_To drive the Mahometans out of that very land where another "European
Concert" is ingeniously striving to keep them undisturbed to-day,_ and to
rescue a little handful of Christians counted by units, where now they
call to us by thousands!

And is this what 700 years of civilization has done for us?

It may have been a madness, a wild and fruitless expenditure of life,
treasure, and happiness. But I think it must have been a sight which
gladdened the angels in heaven, to see such a mighty outpouring of
generous sacrifice, without one selfish end in view.

People of all ranks, rich and poor alike, gave out of their abundance or
their poverty; abandoned homes, happiness, everything, and flocked to the
standards of the Cross.

The sufferings of this impetuous host may be imagined, but never
described. No railroads, no telegraphs, no skilled commissariat with
careful provision for sustenance.

Thousands perished by the way. Thousands more by the sword. And although
for a brief time the Cross floated over Jerusalem, it was only a fleeting
vision.

The Saracens recovered what they had lost, and the Crescent waved
triumphant above the Holy Land,--_and does so still._

At this time there was a wandering, warlike people living far beyond in
Asia call