| 530 | CHRISTIANIA | CHRISTIANITY |
have been converted since the peace of 1815 into public promenades and gardens. The prosperity of Christiania dates from the peace of 1814, since which time its population has more than quadrupled. A railway from Christiania to Lake Mjosen, bringing some of the most populous and productive parts of the interior into direct intercourse with the sea, has been in operation since 1849, and an electric telegraph communication with London since June, 1855. The manufactures are inconsiderable, consisting mainly of hardware, glass, woollens, cotton, cordage, tobacco, and corks. The exports in 1871 amounted to $2,608,442, of which lumber, oats, and cotton yarn were the principal articles. The imports were $96,460,293, of which cotton, rye and barley, coffee, woollen goods, sugar, coal, pork, and tobacco were the principal articles. The entries into the port were 264 steamers, of 86,732 tons, and 1,330 sailing vessels, of 176,121 tons.
The New Storthing House.
—The nucleus of Christiania was the ancient town of Opslo, east of the present city, founded in the 11th century. In the beginning of the 14th century the fortress of Aggerhuus, the first building within what is now the city proper, was erected. In 1523, and again in 1567, Opslo was burned by the Swedes. It was again burned in 1624, when King Christian IV. founded a town around the fortress of Aggerhuus, to which the inhabitants of Opslo soon removed. A wall with bastions was afterward built. In 1630, and again in 1654, half of the inhabitants died of the plague. The great London fire of 1666 laid the foundations of the trade of Christiania, by creating a demand for Norwegian lumber. In 1716 the Swedes took possession of the city, but were driven out in six weeks, after which the fortress was much strengthened. In 1858 a fire took place in which 60 buildings in the centre of the town were burned, and 1,000 people rendered houseless, the loss being estimated at $1,100,000. Since that time a great improvement has taken place in the architecture of the dwellings, many of which are of large dimensions. The Christiania Intelligentssedler, founded in 1763, is the oldest Norwegian newspaper.
CHRISTIANITY, that system of religion of which Christ is the founder. What was accomplished by his Spirit through the apostles and others is to be referred to him no less than that which was performed by his own direct agency. Viewed in the light of its immediate cause, it was the infinite love of God, embodying itself in Christ and working out redemption for men. Considered as an act making provision for the restoration of men, it was the manifestation of a divine and perfect being in human flesh, a condescension to our condition in order to exhibit a life of sinless perfection and of complete self-sacrifice, as the means of liberating from the power and curse of sin all who should willingly enter into his spirit and adopt his principles of action. In its essential nature, it is neither a system of doctrines, nor a collection of historical facts, nor a code of morals, nor a body of religious observances. It is all this and much more. It is a new-born heavenly life, emanating from Christ, conformed to his example and to all truth, embracing all virtue, intimately blended with nature and history, and manifesting itself in acts of homage to God and of love to men. The germ of all its positive principles was contained in the person, character, and life of Christ. The complete development of this, and its application to all the relations of life, would constitute practical Christianity as it was designed to be, and as it will be when it shall be conformed to its ideal standard. Christianity in such a sense reveals itself in every phase of humanity, whether individual or social. It reaches further and comprehends more than the church. The latter does not embrace the state, but is rather its counterpart. The church and the state represent two aspects of human life, the religious and the secular. Christianity relates equally to both. The state is to be Christian, but not ecclesiastical. Philosophy, science, literature, art, business, private and social life, are all to be Christian, but surely not ecclesiastical. Indeed, if the individual is to be like Christ, inwardly as well as outwardly; if in him a divine principle is to pervade all that is human; if by the grace
