The Christian Foundation, Or, Scientific and Religious Journal, Volume I, No. 11, November, 1880

In Short

This volume is an artifact of American religious polemics from 1880, functioning as a monthly periodical dedicated to reconciling scientific inquiry with traditional Christianity. Through essays, theological rebuttals, and historical analysis, it addresses the challenges posed by secular thinkers of the era, such as Robert Ingersoll and Herbert Spencer. By asserting that true intellectual greatness and moral integrity are found only within the framework of the gospel, the work provides a window into the cultural anxiety and spiritual confidence of a late-Victorian American community.

The Story

The journal opens with an assertion of the supremacy of the Christian character. It describes the gospel not merely as a moral code, but as a transformative power that restores man to his rightful relationship with the Divine. From this foundation, the text transitions into a series of urgent warnings regarding the afterlife and the danger of living "at a distance from God." The argument posits that the human condition is inherently miserable without a spiritual anchor, and it outlines the "doorway" of Christ as the only viable path to reconciliation and happiness.

The narrative arc of the journal then shifts to confront the intellectual climate of 1880. It engages with the skepticism of the age, specifically attacking the notion that science and religion are incompatible. The author, P.T. Russell, initiates a dialogue between a "Christian" and a "Skeptic" to trace the origin of language and religion back to a singular, divine source. This leads to a broader investigation of "Monotheism," where the authors argue that the historical record of all ancient nations confirms a universal belief in one Supreme Being, thereby refuting polytheistic theories of religious evolution.

As the journal progresses, it takes on contemporary critics of faith. It systematically dismantles the philosophy of Materialism, arguing that since the universe contains life, mind, and goodness, the "unknown force" behind the universe must necessarily possess those same qualities—qualities identified as the attributes of the God of the Bible. The text addresses "alleged contradictions" within scripture, such as the temptation of Abraham or the question of seeing God, by using logic and historical context to resolve these perceived discrepancies.

Moving from the theological to the societal, the journal warns against the "filthy pool" of politics, urging religious leaders to engage in moral reform to prevent national decay. It critiques the "Free-thinking Christians" of London as a group that abandoned the core tenets of faith, resulting in a hollow, intellectualized shell. The final portion of the volume incorporates testimonials of faith, including a reflection on Napoleon Bonaparte’s admiration for the "sublimity of the gospel" and an obituary for a child, which serves as a final, poignant reminder of the Christian hope in the face of mortality. The journal concludes by reasserting that Christianity is the "fittest" of all beliefs, precisely because it refuses to die in the face of modern opposition.

How It Unfolds

The call to transformation The opening pages establish the Christian gospel as the highest model for human character, contrasting the "divine excellence" of Christ with the skepticism and moral confusion of modern thinkers. The authors insist that man’s only hope for true, lasting happiness lies in abandoning worldly gratifications and entering the "door" of the Savior.

The battle of philosophies The middle section pivots to a rigorous debate against materialist evolution. The authors argue that life and mind cannot emerge from inert matter without an intelligent cause, effectively mapping the attributes of the "unknown force" directly onto the God of the Bible.

Clearing the path of doubts The text addresses specific accusations of biblical inconsistency. By providing logical, legalistic, and historical explanations for various scriptural accounts, the authors attempt to neutralize the arguments of "infidels" like Robert Ingersoll.

The call to public duty The focus shifts to the responsibilities of the believer in the public sphere. The journal argues that because a nation’s prosperity is tied to its morality, religious people must stop viewing politics as a "filthy" realm and instead work to infuse governance with godly principles.

The endurance of faith The journal ends with a defense of the longevity of Christianity. By contrasting the rise and internal fracturing of secular "free-thinkers" against the historical resilience of the church, the volume concludes that the Christian foundation remains the only secure, permanent truth.

The People

The text features several figures, ranging from the divine to the contemporary. Jesus Christ is the central, immutable figure, described as the "door" to the Father and the only source of genuine peace. He stands in contrast to the "infidels" and "materialists"—represented most notably by the orator Robert Ingersoll—who act as the foils to the Christian argument. Ingersoll is frequently cited, not only as an opponent but occasionally as an unwitting witness to the "possibilities" of Christianity. P.T. Russell emerges as the primary intellectual voice, guiding the "Skeptic" through the complexities of linguistics and theology. Napoleon Bonaparte is invoked as an unexpected authority, brought forth to testify that Christ’s nature transcends the limitations of human history. Finally, there is "Little Myrtie" Bogg, the subject of a brief obituary, who functions as a representation of the ideal, patient, and intelligent Christian soul, whose passing serves as an emotional bridge between the theological arguments and the lived experience of the believers who read the journal.

In Its Own Voice

"The character which the gospel of Christ requires is made up of all that is lovely, is formed upon the highest model, but it is not composed of the insensibility, the anger, the pride, the egotism, the worldliness, which is so common among men."

The author defines the essence of the Christian life in the opening article, contrasting it with the perceived failures of modern moralists.

"To-day we are floating upon the stream, to-morrow we may be floating upon the ocean of eternity."

The author uses this metaphor to emphasize the urgency of religious commitment for the reader.

"The unknown cause of all things must possess mind, intelligence, goodness, holiness, else these things could not have proceeded from the unknown cause."

The author summarizes the core logical argument against materialist philosophy in a passage concerning the origins of the universe.

What It's Really About

This volume is fundamentally an argument for the necessity of a transcendent framework in human life. Its primary concern is the preservation of a worldview where God is not merely a historical curiosity but the active, necessary cause of all existence. It posits that the "stream" of time leads inevitably to an "ocean of eternity," and that without a moral anchor, society is destined for the same ruin it believes befell other civilizations that abandoned their faith. The underlying question is whether a society can survive without the restraint and guidance of divine accountability. By linking the "fittest" religion to the most successful civilizations, the journal argues that the survival of the nation itself depends on the survival of the church.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of ideas will find this journal a compelling look at the nineteenth-century "culture wars." It captures the precise moment when the rapid advancement of scientific theory forced traditional religious communities to articulate their arguments with new, defensive rigor. It is not an easy read; the prose is dense, formal, and characterized by the heavy, moralizing tone of the Victorian era. It frequently utilizes the biting, polemical language common to 1880s debates, which can feel jarring to a modern ear. However, the journal remains a vital primary source for understanding how average believers navigated the challenges of their changing world. It offers an unfiltered glimpse into the concerns of an era that felt itself perched on the edge of a new, potentially godless century. You will encounter attitudes toward politics, education, and "infidelity" that are deeply rooted in their time, yet the fundamental anxiety—that humanity is losing its way as it discards its traditional foundations—remains a recognizable, if not universal, sentiment. Reading it is an exercise in empathy, allowing one to understand the conviction and the intellectual strategy of a community fighting to preserve its vision of the world against an encroaching modernity.