The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-12-20
The TWo Pict,,res

p. = TfT Il
porary, we saw, in two columns almost
side by side, two articles, both selected,
which could hardly have afforded q better
contrast if they had been arranged with
view to that special effect. First came
pean of self glorification, from the London
AthenGum, a shout of triumph over the
progress of England since the days Of good
Queen Bess. The mantle of empire, then
SO majestically worn by Spain, had been
borne across the English Channel. Her
foreign conquests were nearly all trans
ferred to the British flag. England of to-
day was the Spain of Elizabeth's envy.
In another column, the Edinburgh Rerieic
gave the diverse of the great British medal
gold and diamonds on the one side, iron
and rust>on the other. What a tale of woe,
what picture of horrorl The lifelong
struggle of poverty with famine, the old
age of q workhouse pensioner! The Lon
don Athen@um proudly throws open the
door of banquet hall, where you are daz-
zled with the brilliant evidences of wealth,
power, glory. The RerieW takes you around
the corner, where, within a doorless howell
erty, of mute despair.
These are the two pictures.
Professionalism points to the material pros
perity of great Britain, as the one irresist-
ible proof of it's genuine Christianity. The
reformation found its resources crude, see
what it has done with them. Yes, see but
see both sides. So
~ or IL II mn rfa.
vel in the wealth of the indies, and British
pride could not then boast that the sun never
set upon its dominions, but parliamentary
preamble could speak of "beef, mutton,
pork and veal, which is the common feed
ing of mean and poor people," To be sure,
the Parliament of the present glorious
Protestant era, could not say SO much to
the dispirited, poverty stricken laborer,
with four or five pale and hungry children
to feed and clothe on 1.-TWO or three dollars
week, )" but it can say to him, look upon
your country's flag, which waves in arro-
CANT triumph over every sea, and forget
your cares and your hunger.
! Professionalism triumphs in its worldly
prosperity. 1t is the religion of wealth and
temporal success. 1t considers them a fruit
of holiness and test of the true Faith
1t sits at the sumptuous table with Dives
and looks upon Lazarus with his sores as an
outcast from the true fold Of Abraham.
Many persons are silent before this
Wanting of Protestant progress; they
know not how to answer, yet the human
heart is not filled by bauble which daz
> nt
are not therefore convinced. The poor maj
feels within himself that poverty can wei
he coupled with virtue, and the rich mai
knows in his secret heart that wealth is no
always the reward of merit. Thus tn
splendid sophism falls without an answer
the controversy is lost without an oppo
= nent.
1t is really pitiable to hear the CONSTANT
. recurring appeal of a religion to its ma
l terial triumphs for endorsement. 1t is pain
full to see this persistent effort to identif
0 the Kingdom of Christ with that of tn
VI World. Nowhere does Christianity prom
O Use temporal rewards as one of its results
8 In the lives of individuals, we CONSTANT
!! see the best and hottest men undistingulsf
: ed for wealth, honors or influence, Will
= riches and station have surrounded with a
v the circumstance of pomp and luxury me
d whose names are synonymous with oppre
). sion, avarice and sensuality.
n The lives of men are the history of nj
l. lions. The great empires of antiquity-tl
Persian, Grecian, Roman-marched to tt
most splendid conquests at the biddir
ia of soothsayers and pagan oracles, viii
\ their no less brilliant triumphs of literatu
and art were made votive offerings on Il
If shrines of false gods. Was it the impu
,f sion of the true Faith that developed tt
,f wild haunts of Romulus and Remus in
:: the magnificent city which sat beside t