The New York herald., 1869-06-07
ST. JOSePH'S CHURCH.
Catholics and Their Diiiiculfies--An Extraordi-
nnry LecInre by Rev. Thomns EnrreII.

Catholics and Their Diiiiculties-An Extraordi-
nary Lecture by Rev. Thomns Farrell.
st. Joseph's church, the corner OF Sixth avenue
and West Washington place. was last evening
densely crowded to listen to q lecture by the Rev.
Thomas Farrell on "The South-Cathoics and Their
Difficulties" large number of clergymen
were present, occupying seats within the chancel,
among whom were the Rev. Sylvester Malone,
of st. Peter and Pauls church, OF Brooklyn, and
his assistant Rev. John Pagan; Rev. Felix Farelly,
of st. james, church, New York; Rev. F. Boyce OF
st. Theresa's; Rev. Dr. McGlynn OF st. Stephens;
Rev. f. Mccarthy, OF the Holy Cross; Rev. +.
Moriarty, OF Chatham Four Corners Rev. F. Healey,
OF st. Bernards, and several others. Even promi-
nert civilians and republican politicians were pre-
sent as Colonel f. A. Conkling, Sinclair Tousey,
c. +. Detmold, Erastus c. Benedict, &c.
At eight O'Clock precisely the reverend gentleman
ascended the pulpit and said tnat there seemed to
be misapprehension prevailing as to the nature Of
this proposed lecture, since q good many expected
him to enter into politics, while he proposed to give
his views of the conditions of the country
in general, and OF the South in particu-
lar Il was to be the first OF series OF con-
versatons with his own people, In which he would
freely and frankly give his opinions. In regard
TO the freedmen all he had to sag Is that slavery was
dead and that the best men In the South thank God
that 1t is dead He believed universal suffrage 10 be
the bes. law Tor the republic, and he would say that
benefit OF State Legislatures on behalf OF the fifteenth
amendment, that universal suffrage was the funda-
mental law OF the republic for good and for evil
Continuing the reverend speaker said that the South
was not half so poor and badly OF It Is supposed
lie believed that in the future the most loyal men In
the South will be those who fought most bravely TO
break up the Union they acknowledge 1t to have
been O mistake q sad blunder and miserable fail.
ure. There was no necessity for measures OF dis.
franchisement or confscaton. The most dangerous
men are those who don't know yet that slavery Is
dead and who kept up fire IN the rear Of the army
hot forfh m hof for thQ nj Eatt. Eo,
re then went TO describe why this is providen-
tal country He pictured the condition OF the old
World at the time when God In His nscrutable prov
idence led Catholic sailor to discover this CONT
nent-a land OF immense grandeur where the I'M
to be fully reallzed; where king and beggar
all equal before Him and HIS law. God
made man free like Himself and de cannot
undo His own acts. No wonder that Christians were
prosecuted by the kings Of Old Even Tacitus speaks
OF the Christians as "enemies OF mankind and he
was right In his own conception, for the Christians
were enemies OF tyranny and OF the wrongs OF So
ceiy as the Christian charter was the divine bin OF
human rights leaning for protection on the rights of
conscience Was IL not strange that after eighteen
centuries of persecution, commenced by the Jews
ascendancyH The lecturer referred TO the edict OF
Constantine enjoining tolerance for Christians
formation, @ which broke Christian unity. w and and
then spoke OF the mistake the Church made In
seeking foreign RECOGNITION and and accept.
ing foreign protection, meaning the temporal
power OF the state. The State had nothing TO do
with the rights OF conscience. The divine right of
kings to temporal power was divine humbug'
and was not Catholic doctrine. The kings of the
Christian era were despotc ss the Pagan Kings OF
old. None were as sanguinary as Henry VIII. OF
England, and he hardly less SO than Louis XIV OF
France In such state OF Europe God IN MS own |
time called forth the discovery OF this land to estab-
sh freedom Of religion and the delivery from The |
despotism OF the old World. AS Catholics they feel
proud that the little colony OF Maryland first estab.
ished the principle of liberty OF conscience and the
sword OF Washington and the pluck and enacity OF |
the American people confirmed the true Catholic |
doctrine OF the freedom OF conscience. He believed
II TO be pity that the sword Of Washington ala nor
Ind its way 10 spain.
lie would mention few or the difficulties OF |
Catholics I'm this country The first was the want OF
lay organization. Every other denomination has |
Its organization but the Catholics have not What
is the reason2 Are the clergy afraid OF the peopep
IL one OF the rst principles OF Catholic teach.
ing that the people eau never be wrong for they do
not wish their own injury. The clergy meet In
solemn council VERY solemn, indeed, especially II |
there are many old fogies among them, but they
accomplish nothing. AT the request OF the Holy
Father they met at Baltimore ami passed. resolutions
in favor OF schools for the freedmen, but expressed
regret that they were so suddenly emanclpated and
torn from the bosom OF their projectors while, II
we want to benefit those who nocd air they must
have our sympathy Hundreds Of the clergy growl,