Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1853-01-26

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paper of the 12t to the Rev Mr. Magoon's instructive
and brilliant lecture it occurred to that some of your
readers might be interested in brief biographical notice
of Lacordaire.
This eloquent preacher was born In 1901 or 1902, in
n small county town in the department of La Cote D.
Or, and educated in the town Of Don where he be-
distinguished for ability, energy of character and
uratorical power The brilliant genius of Voltare, and
the specuations Of Helvetus and nderot made power
full impression upon his intense and imaginative mind and
he boldly Ovowed the inde opinions then in vogue The
convictions of his childhood and his recent conclusions
came thus in conflict The former strong. because
his mother had early implanted in his heart the sentiments
and principles of religion. These, though latent
dead for in about eighteen months after he left Col
legc-durng which interval he occupied in the Office
of an advocate in Pars-he astonshed his friends and
delighted his mother by sudden transformation. az had
lived" says he, 'nne years in infdety, when heard
The voice of God recalling to myself If seek in the
depths of my memory for logical Of my conversion,
discover none except the historical and social evidence
of Christianity evidence which became clear to
soon years had dspeled the mist of doubt which had
breathed in like air the University. Moreover faith is
a mystery of the will in which the intellect plays an in
ferior part" But his intense and impetuous natureso
admirably fitted for sudden and violent changes-did not
permit repose. Like most deeply religious minds who
have vivid maginations he had periods of high excite
ment and profound depression. This alienation of feel
ing accompanied with different phases of belief In
the early period of his spiritual experience he embraced
the 'haf religious half philosophical system of the Able
De La Menas In connection with the brilliant Monta-
lembert and Others he conducted paper called Lyenr,
the object of which to unite the Church with prog
ress-religon with philosophy After changes of
opinion these associated settled upon the conviction
that separation of the Church and State necessary
and that the former should unite with the people aid Of
the advancement and freedom of society. school
established to advance this object in which both Lacor-
dare and Monalembert became teachers. 1t was, how
ever crushed by the hand of government, though
its accomplishment caused great excitement. Lacorlare
cited before the tribunal but off victorious But
he was not so fortunate when the affair brought before
the Pope His Holiness reprimanded him and all his
panons and very perempory declared that the thought
of progress and improvement in religion most rank
and pernicous heresy. This checked Lacordare in his
leormatory labors, and exngushed the hopes of the
more liberal clergy While Mennas and others protested
against the declarations of Rome Lacordaire, like dut
full son, yielded to the mandates of his lIoy Mothcr
and became jealous and even violent defender of the
monarchy-hc union of Church and State and of the o
ly See But this submission did not satisfy the Va
tican and weared it is said by the interference of his
superors he entered the order of Domnicans, and be-
came one of the most distinguished among the Fremes
PrecheurS," or Preaching Brethren.
In some respects Lacordaire was man of his age and
gathers audience numbering ten thousand, at Nore
Dame With Inconsistency by confined to
the Roman Catholic, while attacking reason and under
valung its Office and power he seeks the aid Of phoo-
ply in the construction of the form and STYLE if in
the thought of his discourses He is mbucd with in
nationality. Once, told, while addressing
crowd at Nore Dame, having exhibited brilliant picture
Of French glory he exclaimed "Be proud then, of hay
ing been baptised Frenchmen' then stopping, out of
BREATH he added 81 have been too long Mcssieurs but
it is your fault it is your history l relating.
Come on; we drink to the lees this cup of glory
lie carried this feeling far to say, occasion,
that the French would have the first rank in Heaven"
This, doubtless increases his popularity preacher,
and added his vivid and intense imagination and graph
ic power of delncation and description enables him to
sway the multitude lie presents many features in
tras with Coouerell one of the eminent preachers
in the Protestant pulpit of Paris Lacordare is Of
the past; with reverted eyes he the glory of Chris
anity as reflected in the Romsh Hierarchy and has
sympathy with the most powerful forces of modern cvi
zaton 1t is doubtful whether his influence over his
hearers is of the highest character He powerfully i'm
presses the imagination and the feelings, but does
stir the deepest springs of conscience and awaken that
spiritual life which will grow in perennial beauty amid the
stormy and whitening blasts of active life Coquerel, on
the contrary, while oscatng to extreme Professionalism,
and undoubtedly warped by its oae-sdelaess, is yet
living man, and looks confidently to the future for more
glorious fuhlment Of Christianity Selling hold of those
generous and Chris-kc principles which dawning
upon the world and prophctkc, standing upon the ele-
waited height of the teachings Of the Saviour the Mount
he views with rational confidence and lofty faith the
promise of better both his nation and mankind
France needs both Lacordaire and Coquere to WELD
separately the great religious forces which, combined
in their influence and action will do for that nation what
Professionalism and Romanism will achieve in our own land
in the development of form of Christianity which, wh(
it recognises the rights of the individual mind, shall be
based upon broad and comprehensive Catholciy. b.