New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-10
Early Catholic Missions In North America.
by JOHN C. SHEA, ESQ.

TIE fifth Lecture of the course, for some
time in progress of delivery was given last evening
before the Catholic Institute in the Of the Stuy
yesant Buildings The lecturer for the evening was
John G. Shea, Esq, of this City, and The Early Cath
ole Missions among the Indians of North America and
Canada formed the subject of the lecturers ronarks
We might here say in advance that, owing TO some in
disnctness of enunciation the par, OF the speaker
the greater part of the proper names occurring in the
lecture were not understood at the Reporters table
Mr. Shea said that Christianity, a historical
fact was remarkable for establishing brotherhood
of nations by propsgsng the doctrine OF the unity OF
the human race-unitysn origin, unity in misery, and
unity in redemption. To make II reality became
leading object in the view of the Catholic Church In
her hour of prosperity, in her hour OF adversely In
DAYS of fervor and apathy, she ever sending out
her Missionaries the furhest points OF the earth TO
Gain new souls 10 the ath-to extend the brotherhood
Of Christianity Strangely enough that idea was pc
cusr 10 the Catholic Church. for sect after sect had
left her but not had exhibited this seed OF internal
life extending outward. These sects sent out no Mis-
sionsres but bounded by some petty stream or navt
gable strait they confined their operations TO
the number of those who held their peculiar tenets
from those living In the community around them
II was totally different, however, in the Cetaol.c
Church. for she deeply imbued with the force
of the injunction go forth and teach all nations, and
her entire history evidenced how devoedly obeiiens
she had been TO that command. Traces oil Christianity
were discovered in Iceland by the Norwegians In the
eighth century and all the evidence the subject went
10 show that they were Of Irish origin Missionary
colony was also founded in Greenland al early day.
but subsequent led to the abandonment OF the
enterprise for time. Indeed !, might be said thai
from the period at which Europeans landed upon ths
continent missions were set on foot various points
from Florida TO the inhospitable shores of Labrador
The forces Of the Church in regard 10 Missionary en-
terprise might be said have been divided into I've
eompsnies-the Dominicsns Francscans, Augusuni'
ans Carme iiea and the Jesuit, who were caisa oy
their great founder the light infantry OF the Church
Those were tie men who first proclaimed the cross
among the savage Indians in the Wild iastaess
Of this. then, UNEMPLOYED continent. SPARKS the
historian did not hesitate 10 say there were
few examples more worthy Of admiration than tno'e
which the unparalleled suferings and herolsm OF the
early Catholic Missionaries displayed In the pro'eca
zen Of their labors Bancroft bore equal testimony 70
their indoni;able energy and devoted perseverance
Those Missions might be divided INTO three grea'
casses-he Spanish extending in It's operations rom
Florida 70 California-the French, embracing tne
Valley of the Mississippi reaching North As far INC
shores Of Hudsons Bay and the English, which n's'
were confined TO Maryland Ii appeared that the nr''
attempt TO convert the Indian, was made soou'
ffiy years after the discovery Of America By Column
bus BY Father Pedlo, OF the order OF Franeiseans'
true soldiers Of the Cross. That was near tne
head waters of the Arkansas River But the
bloody crown Of the martyr became his lot or ne and
his companions soon fell beneath the deadly arrows
of the savage Indians STILL however, the prosecution
oftbe work was no, abandoned by the FrAneAsears.
They never ialiered in spirit but remained convinced
that ultimate triumph would crown their devoted
exerions Success did attend their abors, Tor oy me
time tia, England had formed her first colony IN VIZ
sinia. every tribe on the Rio Grsnde scknowiedsed
the truths Of pure Christianity Their villages were
adorned with temples for divine worship IN wnen
devoted Missionaries of the Cross p-esched tas
truth of one faith to their recently converse
Neophytes. The ruins Of many OF those Churens'
attracted the sdmirxtion Of the passing uAse,e'
in our own days, and erudiie sara'" a.,r'o
uted not a few to the everlasting Aztecs Maer
as these Indians had deseriorsied-oSins 10 mani
causes no, necessary to enumera's-,hey 'tAi re
,siued usny traces of tn. e!vIrins influence Of "a