The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-05

LECTURE BY THK REV. DIR. CUMMINGS.

Fourth avenue, delivered lecture at the Tabernacle
broadway, on the Catholic Church, slavery, and the
Union" The reputation Of this eloquent and accom-
pished divine brought together very large audience,
who listened to him with profound attention, and were
not disappointed in their expectations number OF
gentlemen occupied the platform, among whom were
Judge Lynch DR.. Fraser, and John J. Cotsbergher,
Rev Mr.. Quinn Louis Binnse, DR.. Hogan, Thos g. Hen
ry and Peter Carroll The Right Rev. Dr. Hughes
took back seat in the body Of the house. listen
err apparently not observed by the reverend lecturer
or by the friends who surrounded him.
Rev. DR.. CUMMINGS rose and addressed the assembly
as follows:-
LADIES ASp GESrLrMrS-Appearing before you in
this place speak upon the subject OF the Catholic
Church, Slavery, and the Union" expected, If
understand my position to explain with modesty and
prudence, but, at the same time, with freedom and
courage what are the teachings of our church in
regard TO these important questions, without ndulg-
ing in vague speculations or In rhetorical embesh-
mepts This view Of the presents, at once, the
ground upon which we meet do not speak az poll
tcian-I have neither the ability nor the inclination
TO do The province Of him who discusses Catholic
moral philosophy. lies further back than the field Of
politics lie is called upon to treat Of truths which
should rule political discussion; his maxms to
guide the conscience Of the political orator and states
man but he deals with them separate and indepen-
dent facts not. they come before the public man,
united with practical interests and contingencies upon
which plat and parties take their stand
He Who in times OF difficulty and discussion brings Tor
ward the truths Of philosophy as umned by the doc
rines OF religion has this advantage that he is in no
danger Of giving offence or causing bitter feelings
Truth belongs to Others, much TO HIMSELF and II
he be honest and fanatic he will be listened to with
respect if not with appreciation If he have dsin-
terested love for the church snd for his country his
words will fall oil upSD 1publed waters, and his
influence where he has any influence, will be in favor
Of peace. Npplause) The Catholic church ladies
and gentle u, had to speak in reference to this
question of slavery from the time Of her first appear
ance in the world. Pagan Greece and Rome swarmed
with white slaves beyond what We who enjoy the light
of christian civilization can believe possible. 1t must
be remembered that those nations lived in state OF
surrounded them, ard that all those who were
not Killed upon the battle field made to celebrate
the triumph Of their conquerors by gladiatoria con-
fiets. remained in bondage with all their families The
city OF Athens possessing 20 900 free citizens counted
10000 slaves Cicero tells that in Rome shortly
before she became an empire there scarcely 20OO
holders of property though the population amounted
to 100000 Under the empire things grew worse
The historian Tacius gives an account OF 40 slaves
who pu. TO death in one house, In virtue OF u
bcrbarous law. enacting that when Roman citizen
murdered in his dwelling, all his slaves should be
killed likewise circumstance which illustrates at once
the number and the hopeless condition Of the bonds
men. motion was made before the Roman Senate to
prescribe particular garment for bondsmen but 1t was
lost "lest the slaves should count their nambersn
The poet Lucan. alluding to this state OF things
places in the mouth Of Caesar this remarkable express
sion the human race lives only for the benefit OF a
few mem" expression worthy TO be used by hca-
then tyrant and TO be recorded by heather bard
These historical facts and many others that could
be adduced justify the assertion that when Christi
anity came into the world, 1t was covered with
slaves. These slaves were in all but the name equal
and in many instances superior TO the proud masters
who held in bondage The slavery which oppressed
them, such that IL not only deprived them oil all
social rights but placed even their lives at the mercy
OF cnpricious and cruel epprossors Such the state
things the church had to deal with such the evis
she had to correct Let us examine on NAT Prhepis
she proceeds effect their removal This point ladies
and gentlemen. though not surrounded perhaps WITH
much enthusiasm IL the most important part OF TINS
lecture for Il illustrates what have most at heart
the truth that the Church, in this matter has always
proce ded with the most consummate wisdom and pru-
dence avoiding all extremes Of fanaticism, and still
gaining be end she had In view to the satisfaction OF
the whole universe. The authorities from which l
draw in explaining how far the Church has advanced
In pronouncing upon slavery, what she has taught,
aud what che has not taught are the councils, the
DEGREES Of popes the writings OF distinguished bishops
and theologans. shall endeayor TO compress Their
testimony into brief space possible reducing 1t
under separate heads 1t must, however be clearly
understood that although what facts furnish rest
upon undoubted authority, alone Am responsible for
the comments made upon them. am not appointed,
here speak the great topics ofthe day.
by fer any purpose. Ispcak without any fur
hcr authority than that OF sincere Catholic indo
pendent American Cloud cheers The earliest instance
Of slaveholdipg by which Catholic authority has been
called to alude the subject In commenting upon the
Scriptures hat which practsed by the Psriarchs
There are numerous instances in which these holy
men accepted the voluntary submission of slaves,
others in which they possessed them by purchase
conquest. and Others again, in which they sold them
TO new masters. No Catholic authority condemns
them for having acted thus In the condition of pure
ly domestic society this state of things ineyita
Bile. III was even highly advantageous amongst
tora people for one who was not possessed Of 1ocks
and herds to give TO sell his services during all his
life. TO powerful and paterna leader, from whom he
received in return the means of subsistence and the
security he could not have onjoyed alone.tChccrs)
In the second place, slavery found TO have been
permitted under the Mosaic law aud practsed by tho
Jewish people. Moses established regulations indeed
which projected the life and limb. and the natural
rights Of the slave as a man but he neither COZ.
dmncd that institution ordered II 10 be abolished
Coming now to Christ and the Apostles, We find the
church taking mp THE subject in tho uhlmcnt Of her
ratsa n.I..
his Disciples should render unto Cesar the things
that are cf Caesar, aud 60 God the things that
ru,e "' a. M ahs apostle 81 raai apPies 'h gncTa
tells ,crvants (Which then meant slaves to be sub
missiyo aud obcdient TO their masters, aud when
whom he had baptized ia the Christian faith
The principle thus announced directed. the coan-
sells ~ the church. she proceeded her
heavenly misfion She hoped for state 81 civil
equalization among men. which would undoubtedly
prove more favorable 10 Christian morality But. nj
the time she respected the order 81 society which
she found In the world slavery could not have been
denounced and attacked without subvcring al a blos
the rights of property and the jurisprudence of the
world. Rules were soon established. which amelio-
rated the condition Of the hondsman Severe laws
and oth,r restrictions laid upon masters; but Il IL
certain that a Wholesale abOltory decree not
parsed by the Catholic church In short, TO sum up
the subject In lev words Christ and the church did
not bring 20 bear upon slavery institution, the
Christian code q positive legislative justice. They
left Il to be controlled tempered OF removed by the
80 likewise Ina this; be Who acts in the name 81 Chris
tan charity, hound 20 effect it eosd works with holy
prudence and enlightened real, according to the diff
fsrent circumstances Of times places, and persons
10 IL then TO be upds that the church did con-
dtmn cruelty aud oppression; that where she bound
.levcbods In virtue Of right and justice she did 90
ny eNIct and individual nts that for slavery
~ en- inititution independeLt Of particular cas- sud
independent ~ her other laws she has lessted only
In her ccdc 81 Christian charity when cay charity,
do not philanthropy. which means Friendship fnr
men. but applied In day 10 every scheme e fana
tirism do I mean seufmcrtality. bat the Law n
Clristan love which though u cannot BE- embodied IN
the ecdc cf the legislator operates more powerfully
than any human law. because emanating frCm the
chufth-the fountain oftruth aud Divine love juet
the sway Of the mother y more perfect aud permanent
than the guidance a the and the vigilance q
the stermothtr. Great apTlsu~e IN these Last
remarks. you havs the whole sum aud substance q
Catholic aoctriue IN relation 60 the institution cf
slavery throughout the world What the church taught
n theory tfc followed successfully IN practice. she
preached odencs 60 the for the love aud
lade the master he m.rcifl for fear e hs iastice
He vlo commanded ard he who obcycd. were 10 act
a. hatirg duties 90 dischsrr--the towards the
other- 81 which strict account would ono day BE- de-
mandcd when meeting NJ the threshold ~ the house
ofGod the master and the slave forgot all social lie
tuctions. and saw In each other only brother. They
knCt together az prayer aud ono asked hcssng for
tic oihtr IL In the course q time the slave became