The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-13
Lecture or DIR. Brownson at the Academy Of
Mus1c.

The lecturer introduced his subject by stating that be
would deal with the popular objections urged against The
Catholic Church. and among the nrss the objection
the church restrained the individuality of He Was
willing 70 admit that the church restrained that indi-
v'duahsm which contrary TO law and social order,
out not mat which recognized true Independence or
Character Man not isolated in his individuality; he
was subject to the laws OF society OF truth and God
That objection could be made with truth against
Professionalism for the Protestant view of bis individuality
rendered him servile and crngDg the popular opinion
OF his fellows OF his own sect and his cotere In no
countries in the world there slavery in this re-
spect than in the two great Protestant countries England
the United States Not in all the Catholic Countries
Of the world more snobbery and aunkeylsm 70 be
found than in these two not the Of national
character but the direct result Of the teachings Profess
tantsm. The catholic will brave thing rather bend
towrong hence the church has Martyrs because behind
so,ety and indivdualsm there stand truth and principle
The Catholic feels that he supported by the Almighty and
what he for popular caprice popular opnon2 He
denied that was reason individuality of character
which the church re:raned but the abuse of them Tho
next objection that the Catholic Church favored su-
perstOn, and encouraged superstous practices
stiton, he admitted was bad, but it than
nndely nor quite as bad II he understood super
stiton meant he thought was expecting effects from
inadequate causes-just as IL he to exp<ct elo-
quent lecture from the pitcher on the table they might
call him superstiious; but IN what Catholics
stous II true they reverented the mother God
did every one, except very bad men and devils They
revered the images and relics Of the saints but only
OF their WORTH because they had done Gods ser
vice fathf nlly and were enjoying their reward but
in what they do no, ask them or the virgin for
anything which God alone can grant-they did not
peet effects from inadequate causes. What we're called
the common people Of every nation we're superstous,
and so than Protsants. He rernem sered in
hs stt nEs 10 ghost stories until the candle
sd to bnrn bfue. q augber) At this day and in this
country superstition rife in the form of spirituahsm
spirit rapppg den got their living by conversng
with the dead. lax OF the superstition Of Catholic
tres, but You cannot go anywhere among Proestants
without finding II. Some OF them may be clear OF IL;
but IT fact that almost all the doctors,
professors, cleTgymen, literary men, and, above ALL lite
rary women IN the country spirit rappers Although
Catholics retained and talked about and embodied
poetry old supersttons and traditions invoke
heahon go1jssses or the muses. they had no faith in
them But II should forgotten that not loug ago ia
this country witcbcrat believed in the penalties
Of tina; crime visited by Protesans rotestants
in Norway where Cathoicity tolerated. the gov
eminent had lately to send military force certain
par OF he country 20 suppress the worship Of the heathen
god Odn. The next objection to the church was that
hdeerades the reason, tn intellect and hnnan nature
What was II to degrade human nature2 Was 70 allow
all the good possesses, all the power which belongs
20 Ito Gemand from reason the exercise OF all attr
butss IN is own sphere; but 70 deny ts ability
that which was above reason beyond ss scope2 That
was simple proposition. Protestantism imposed tho
greatest degradation of all human nature when de-
MED the faculty Of free will, that according TO that
doctrine, In capable Of bis own natural powers Of
doing good action This Caholcity does Dot DO Il re-
cognises nature AS havg suffered by the fall AZ sl
capable Of good Everything Catholic imparts a high
which is dwelt upon as the most conclusive OF all,
is that the Church Ia unfavorabls cvilration aad
as S,a no. reeorn. ,sa as rs o. = S..s,s
progressive by bis own power. No doubt progress
historical fact but that progress brought abou, by
the Supernatural ad OF Gods grace and by his revela
tons. He would not test any religion by Ia material
prosperity tor nation Is often prosperous without rel
Pop and IN spite Of religion He held that modern
ton suIpasses in clv zaton and natural greatness tho
great nations Of antiquity. We constantly tainted
with the difference between the growth Of Protestant and
OF Italy spsn and South and Central America But these
latter countries have all declned-as alleged because
they are Catholcyet they attained their greatest height
under the Catholic religion When said of Portugal and
ofspain ~ now said Of England that the n
10 day Cahocty be the cause OF The decline OF Sran
how comes that she the mighties OF empires when
she was more Catholic than she is nowf This equally
true Of Venice Genoa and ell the Italian repubIics In
the sixth century there not civilized country in the
west Of Europe, yet in the sixteenth all the nations Of
Europe were civilized Their civilization might Dcs have
been advanced that OF the Century but
they had stable governments and laws and this mighty
progress took place under the Catholic religion II should
this work with barbarans, and 10 begin three four
times over and without any assistance except tn
divine spirit and energy. And 40 was until Martin 1n
tber, In his audacity, flung his nkstand tho devils
face (Cheers) Professionalism took possession Of what
Cstbocty built up, and started with IL capital yet
the progress OF Protestant nations innntey slower
now than that Of Catholic nations when they had CAPT
tai When you owe your civilization 10 eathoicty, bow
can you say that u unfavorab'e 70 cvilizstonY He
would not there bad been progress in Protestant
nations but was bat the developement OF principles
which Ctholciy had founded England boasted Of her
constitution. Where did she get IN II by
Pope Adrian through hts egae and adopted by the Cou-
Gil there. (Appause While England has LOST much sne
what she bas retained Point any tribe that ngish or
American Professionalism has raised 10 civilization. They
have done something 70 be sure, towards II; but IL
only 10 themselves and that done by eusrmi
Darg tie bsrbarians and taking their place The lee
tufer referred 10 The early history OF this country aud
said that though civilized people uos yet who
were wer surely not the lLdans reclaimed frcm bar
not by lrotestsntsn, but b. Cathohcity. He alluded
EglFh rule in India .. proof of the way Protestant
lslons civilizei the barbarans, and said tnai the
from the press Of England showed that people of
that country bad but little Christian civilization With
regard 10 Mexico aud Central America be airnued that
the people were Inferior 10 the people Of this country
Ana vhyi Bc"ausc they the babarous
civilized; for while We extermnaed the Indians SPAN
and Portugal Chrssnzed them More than four ths Of
tie population of Mexico descendants OF those who
were savagcs when spain took possession of a. This
the way Catholics civilized people, while Protss,ants
gave.them Bibles and asd then exterminated
them. We hear great deal Of talk Of "Americanizng'
carss ,a, ,sa ncoas ,be,a .rs ne, rr.ns
as when the Spanish missionaries found them, ana
oontended thst Csiholicty was not unfavoraole TO
civilization. This age, he asserted ap~ing fearfuy
INTO carnal Judas that faith that the Messiah
TO come as temporal prince and give his people all the
prince and the carnal Jews rejected him. and cruched
him between two thieves. The spirit exists
The church was bot given 10 promote national prosperity,
and attempts made 10 crush II because il does not
make rich, and eyes stand out with fatness be
cause II does not invent steam engines, lightning ele
graphs railroads. Il does not make rich, and
reject i as the earnal Jews rejected the Mes
siah. The Son Of God did not die 70 make us
rich In worldly wealth, but in love and charity.
The object ons 10 the church longer religious
objections there have ceased 70 be raised and all other
objections will vanish The church has been opposed
in all ages and by every nation. Talent, anus, power
have been brought TO crush her yet here she before
fresh and beautiful when she emerged from the
catacombs and planted the Cross the capital Of the
history every weapon will fall powerless against her.
she will be the stronger for opposition, and every Catholic
will cling the closer 70 her and love ber proportion
as she opposed
Loud applause followed the close Of the lecture in the
midst Of which Archbishop HuGHEs came forward and
said Il do not wish to disturb the pleasannay the tr
umphan feelings which must be yours after the eloquent
discourse You have just heard. bad intention OF
making even these remarks but there seemed 10 be
desire that should speak beg leave 10 express my Joy
At bchoding this great and immense multitude assembled
on this suspcious occasion applause