The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-11-26
UNDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER 26, 1871.


NEW ORLEANS. SUNDAY NJ
been made u impair this unity. Men have
left the Church; they have set up creeds OF
+, roy, by changing or denying the ancient
form results Men in turn have split off from
these sects, and divisions and Subdivisions
without end have been formed. Hardly do
they leave the Church ere these subdivisions
take place.
But how is it with the Church they lca- e
behind She stands as a Rock-shc is Unity.
For Christ is the Rock-the cornerstone.
that of strength. But, first, some may smile
at this idea OF strength in our old Church.
There may be those who will ask, how is this :
Pope, ttethroned, stripped of power, overcome,
o prisoner Some will sueer at the idea of
strength in face of these facts. But, would
ask, how:do you deduce weakness from what
these things indicator Through the ages that
have passed, amid the many changes that have
been wrought, has the Church stood unchanged
now eighteen hundred years DID, yet she is
fresh, her features unchanged, more like q
young maiden of eighteen than an old woman
of eighty years. Like Truth, she is ever new.
Men may call her weak, but 1 defy them to
show crack OF flaw in the edifice. But there
are various standards of strength. Mere
material force is taken by some as a basis
for their estimate. They stand in the way of
the church and prophesy her downfall, because
they judge by mere physical force.
That is !; not our standard Our standard of
great American poets has said:
The eternal years of God are hers"
The Church has preserved her unity, and is the
same eternal Truth. She is built on the Rock
of Truth. Though often assailed she is I'M
impaired. Material force is transtory and
will not survive.
Many examples may be adduced to show the
nothinsnesso of material force or worldly power.
But Il few short weeks ago, one of the fairest
cities of the earth, Il commercial and political
power in our own land, was eucompussed by
-the breath of the fire fiend, and in one night
rolIec-pp as Il burnt scroll, leaving Alaught of
her material power, her splendor; her riches or
her glory but a heap of ashes. Picture to
yourselves a n,au occupying the highest pin
nacle of worldly power. Vast armies are at
SWAY. To such a man mig ht have been given
the highest earthly title, sEpperor; and so, in
deed, he Was. But you all know his story. In
a few short lays his armies were scattered, his
Empire overrlIn, bis throne o'ert turned, him self
II prisoner, and now lie is exile. Surely
snch incidents prove the fntility of material
vain, and men will fall back for support on tire
Church~of eighteen hundred years. Now why
is that old Church still standing7 Why re
main while others have crumbed aud passed
awayf because her cornerstone is Christ !!
Why is She ACCUSED of weakness? Isay to
you, her weakness is only sumbering siren 9Th.
founder himself. Christ nailed to the cross
manifested no worldly power. The mocking
Jews cried out to Him, 'He saved Others !;
himself he cannot save" But Redcemer
listened in patience and mercy. Even atte T
His death, were not all earthly appliances used
to prevent the fuliilment of Christs assertion
of power. His body was laid in II sepuchrc :;
IL huge stone closed the door thereof; the great
sca all nsr
guard.
Material force did not prevent the resurrcc-
ton. Aud it is with the Church.. Two
| things combine to console the Chnrch-the I'M
soundness of the reasonings of those W no fore
tell her downfall, and tue omnipctence of
Truth, as shown i'll the resurrection of her
founder, Jesus Christ.
Never was the Church stronger than she is
to-day. At no period of the worlds history
| was the of her dominions so extended.
| Never were hands more ready and devoted thar
to-day, this day, when some believe hey weak,
Numbers and limits and faith of followers dis
| play her strength as greater than ever; foI
they are proofs of Unity.
| l repeat, Christ is cornerstone, the
author Of our strength. He is strength because
| He is God. Whenever you hear of the Church
being in danger, don't be afraid. The Church
| has led q life of conflict. Her whole life has
been q struggle against error. She may be
| assaulted, but never entertain idea of hel
overthrow. She may suffer, she has suffered
| she may be assailed and maligned, but never
| lose faith The Church is eternal. The living
cornerstone has said, Heaven and earth shall
pass away, but my word shall not pass away
Now, the application which all of you should
make this day Is, that in Gods designs eact
one of you is living stone in the Church o.
Christ. AS the Apostle says, Z" BE ye also living
stones built up" Each stone or brick that yol
see here is but figure of yourselves. There
fore, be living stones in the New Jerusalem
Each one of You is unit in the Masters grea
design. Have not a right, then, to demand
at your hands the utmost generosity in assist
cOmDlet0 al
that, as stones in the building of Gods works
you wiki nobly sustain your part. i am TIL
more impelled to this belief when reflect OF
j the means by which the many churehos OF tn
Il Crescent City have been built. NOT, indeed
4 by grand sn40w1ierfsy n by xich 2rasf1 no
- ne aiIoI the nor ~ 1ppii