The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-02-16
Reason and Faith,


In many instances we have felt the want
of o Catholic.paper in our midst, when, see
ing in our secular papers, now historical
facts, distorted by the prejudices, or igno-
ranc, or wilful misrepresentation OF secta-
rian or infidel writers-then; the truths OF
religion, and the tenets of the Church gross
ly falsifed,' misrepresentation, at least,
represented incorrectly, in manner Dor
dcring on heresy, or even impiety.
To give an example: Some time ago we
felt exceedingly annoyed in reading in one
of our city papers short article of twenty
or twenty five lines, signed !" An Inquirer, y
in which it was asked why and how AL
mighty God could have given us a Revcla-
ton, since he has given us our reason, and
reason would be destroyed by Revelation.
From the tenor of the article it was plain
| that this enquirer :" did not inquire for the
truth, but wanted only to disturb simple
minded souls by-a wiifuf confusion of
thoughts.
To answer that short but perfdious attack
against Revelation and faith, would re-
quire more lengthy article than the limits
of a paper could admit but we can at least
lay down some principles which will eluci-
date this important subject.
The Catholic Church teaches us
l. That reason and Revelation were equal
ly from God.
2. That there is no opposition between
them; and therefore,
8. Reason is neither subjectiye1y, nor OBJ
jectively, destroyed by Revelation. Then:
4. Reason is not destroyed by faith, since
it is through the use of our reason that we
see the motives that prompt US to adhere to
faith.
S. The truths presented to us by reason
Contrary developed and perfected by Reye-
lation.
Reason itself teaches us that Almighty
Godis the truth itself, the perfect, infinite,
and eternal truth that no human mind,
nay, no created mind, is<able to exhaust
that inexhaustible fountain of truth which
is in God, or rather which is God himself
1t must be admitted, then, that beyond the
intellectual sight of our reason, there is an
infinite immensity of truth, as beyond the
sight >of-our corporcal eyes there is an indie
finite -vastitude of space. The limits of our
reason are no more the boundaries Of the
truth, than the limits OF our corporCaf light
are the boundaries Of tie'physical creation.
1t n,st be admitted, therefore, by every
sensible man, that there are truths which
arc not only above orr understanding. but
even above our knowledge. These truths
are beyond tho natural reach of Feet>se.tf,
and naturally we have no idea of thcbl.-
But'it is evident that 1NEightysGod has the
powered making know, to us those truths
to which We could not attain with or rc1=
son; and this-Divine act by Which truths
unattainable to our reason are manifested to
ussis precisely what is called Revelation.
Those truths which ere manifested to us
by Eavel:,tion, being beyond the reach of
or na!ural reason, appertain to what is
called the supernatural order, because they
are beyond and above the natural strength
OF or intellect; but these supernatural
truths are by no means in contradiction
with the truths which are known ta-tt.; by
I the natural use=Gf CTR rcasun; the sffIYGr-
natural order, far from being opposed to
the natural order, is; altogether based upon
it. 10 say, therefore, that Revelation de-
stroys reason, is perfect nonscnse-an eyre
gious absurdity.
Let us elucitate this subject by plain
comparison:
We offer to man a telescope which will
enable him to 500 celestial hodies which bo
could not reach with his eyes. No, says the
man, Almighty God has given me my eyes; ;
that's enough; will not insult Him and
destroy His gifts by making use of your
telescope. But, dear sir, we don't want you
to pluck out your eyes, nor to give up their
uSc. On the contrary the use of tho tolo