From the time of the separation of the Eastern and Western Churches there was little intercourse between them, and each proceeded on its own path of develop ment. The Western Church and the Western nations were scarcely touched with any culture, and were little in?uenced by any outside forces. They unfolded their own dogmas; the nations lived their life, fought their battles, and pursued their destinies, unaware of the fact that men had lived on the earth for a long time, and had achieved something of worth during the past ages of the world.