540 TnUiD PERIOD. A.D. 311-500,
notwithstanding the manifold abuses or imperfect and premature applications of them.
Hence there is a Christian art, as well as a Christian science, a spiritual eloquence, a Christian virtue. Feeling and imagination are as much in need of redemption, and capable of sanctiti cation, as reason and will.
The proper and highest mission of art lies in the worship of God. "VVe are to worship God "in the beauty of holiness."' AH science culminates in theology and theosophj, all art becomes perfect in cultus. Holy Scripture gives it this position, and brings it into the closest connection with religion, from the first chapter of Genesis to the last chapter of the Revelation, from the paradise of innocence to the new glorified earth This is especially true of the two most spiritual and noble arts, of poetry and music, which proclaim the praise of God — in all the great epochs of the history of his kingdom from the beginning to the consummation. A considerable part of the Bible : the Psalms, the book of Job, the song of Solomon, the para bles, the Hevelation, and many portions of the historical, prophetical, and didactic books, are poetical, and that in the purest and highest sense of the word. Christianity was introduced into the world with the song of the heavenly host, and the consummation of the church will be also the consummation of f>oetry and song in the service of the heavenly sanctuary.
Art na& always, and in all civilized nations, stood in intimate connection with worship. Among the heathen it ministered to idolatry. Hence the aversion or suspicion of the early Christians tow^ards it. But the same is true of the philosophy of the Greeks, and the law of the Romans ; yet philosophy and law are not in themselves objectionable. All depends on the spirit which animates these gifts, and the purpose which they are made to servt>.
The great revolution in the outward condition of the church ander Constantino dissipated the prejudices against art and the hindrances to its employment in the service of tiie church. There now arose a Christian art which has beautified and enriched the worship of God, an.i created immortal mon imcnts of architecture, painting, poetry, and melody, for the edifica-
§ 103. CHDKCH AKCHITECTURE. 541
tion of all ages ; althougL, as the cultus of the early church in general perpetuated many elements of Judaism and heathenism, so the history of Christian art exhibits many impurities and superstitions which provoke and justify protest. Artists have corrupted art, as theologians theology, and priests the cliurch, J3ut the remedy for these imperfections is not the abolition of art and the banishment of it from the church, but the renovation and ever purer sliaping of it by the spirit and in the service of Cliristianity, which is the religion of truth, of beauty, and of holiness.
From this time, therefore, church history also nmst bring the various arts, in their relation to Christian worship, into the Held of its review. Henceforth there is a history of Christian irchitecture, sculpture, painting, and above all of Christian poetry and music.
§ 103. Church Architecture.
On the history of Architecture in general, comp. the works of Kugler, KiNKEL, SoHNAASE, and others, on the plastic arts; also Kreuser: Der christliche Kirchenbau, seine Geschichte, Symbolik n. Bildnerei, Bonn, 1851. 2 vols., and the English works of Knight, Beown, Close, J. Feeguson (A Hist, of Architecture, Lond. 1865, 3 vols.), etc.
Architecture is required to provide the suitable outward theatre for the public worship of God, to build houses of God among men, where he may hold fellowship with his people, and bless them with heavenly gifts. This is the highest office and glory of the art of building. Architecture is a handmaid of devotion. A beautiful church is a sermon in stone, and its spire a finger pointing to heaven. Under the old covenant there was no more important or splendid building than the temple at Jerusalem, which was erected by divine command and after the pattern of the tabernacle of the wilderness. And yet this was only a significant emblem and shadow of what was to come.
Christianity is, indeed, not bound to place, and may evory where worship the onmipresent God. The apostles and martyrs held the most solemn worship in modest private dwellings, an \