The New York herald., 1872-10-14
Or. BRANN ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Career Of the Church ON MaMhatAan
Island-Enects OF Political Corruption
ON the Mcnsbers OF the Church.
The Church Of st. Bernard, in thirteenth street,
near Tenth avenue, was crowded to excess last
evening on the announcement that the Rev. DIR.
Henry A. Brann, pastor Of 81. Elizabeths
church, ct Fort washington, would lecture
on "The Catholic Church on Manhattan
Island-Its Past, It's Present and Its Future." Not
withstanding the fact OF the distinguished divine
suffering from q severe cold he delivered his course
In his usual mellow, sympathetic tones, at times
convulsing the audience with laughter and again
carrying them away to the contemplation
Of some of those exalted characteristics
Of the Catholic Church which stamp i'm
mortality upon itself and Its most noted
champions. Any attempt to give an account OF
the lecture would be unjust to the reverend lec-
turer. In his story OF the checkered career OF the
members Of that Church ON this island he was at
once orator and historian. Several times the
audience burst forth into applause, especially
when he described the abolition Of the trustee sys-
tenn among Catholics by man, towering
above all others by the subllmty OF his
genius, the br0adness OF his views the vast
extent OF his innuence and the energy Of
his Characteristic great and generated Arch
bishop Hughes" The speaker said the very name
New York is Catholic name. II was given to this
place in honor or the Duke Of York, afterwards
james the Second OF England. who was the first
King that dared to proclaim that liberty OF con-
science should be enjoyed by the people. Under
some OF the Dutch Governors there were probably
some Catholics scattered here and there on the
island; and be It said to the credit Of those
Governors that they were in favor OF religious
liberty. In those days the Catholics and Protes-
tants had fought side by side In the Netherlands
against the despotism Of Philip Of Spain, and this
wind towards the land Of the West, and settled In
our then little town. As labor became scarce, the
farmers were authorized to convey negro slaves
from Brazil, and these negroes We're for the most
part Catholics, for the Spanards, with all their
faults, had instructed them and treated them
1t would be well for those OF the Celtic to
tertain none but most kindly feelings towards the
negroes Gr some e., OF .oss very were ne
there were Catholics on this island. One woman
came from Lege in that year and she saw her grand
oneiSa oqaos and piiSene The MOHAWK ~
tFe SSsnocs Sasaoes Of Sa~ ns Yors
that first allowed popular assemblies, and gave the
inhabitantsa charter guaranteeing the rights Of
English Jesuits thereto. Under him, also, an Irish
feoioly settled nere IN 1909 tls Mayor t92k cen.
sSs s 10 10 see now many rapisis were here. There
John Jay, article was Inserted In the State con-
sttution declaring that no Papst could be natqTal-
lied. In 1855 there were 2OO CATHOLICS IN New
In is2s there were four priests; now
there are 2ss, with churches, hospitals, asylums,
prOtectOrates, schools, &c rising on every side.
The present career Of the Church might be said to
commence with the birth of the reverend clergy
there present. Unfortunately, in Onr days some
OF the members Of our Church here are noted for
two great faults-frst the tendency OF the wealthy
classes to forget the traditions OF their fathers,
cest0rs illustriOps and great In Europe the no.
bility Is Catholic. In this country the Catholic
religion Is not fashionable. The second fault Is the
the Catholics. The demagogues of all the political
parties have dcmOrallZed our working classes
that in the earlier history Of the Church here, 1t
was customary for them To break the fourth CON-
mandment, 80 now IL IL customary to violate the
seventh No lab0rer or contractor can receive en-
pl0yment unless he pays percentage to the
politicians They are morally compelled to steal,
and our religion Is made responsible for the crimes
cessation Of this corruption; we want grand Cath0
lie university, Catholic newspaper and grand
churches. We want so to act that the eyes OF our
separated brethren shall be attracted towards us
that they may be edited by our example and
led into that true faith which works In charity.
We hope yet TO see this great metrOp0lls-the deity
Of the grand republic-sick and tired Of other
forms Of faith, and embrace the only hope of civil
and religious belief where she will find true
refuge in all her woes. We hope to see her bow
down before q mightier deity, crowned with the
Ing the audience In contemplation Of this picture,
the reverend gentleman concluded amid loud ap-
plause.
space does not permit the introduction OF the in
diture OF the State on Schools PRISONS &C.. whereas
II those institutions were given in charge of CathO
lies they could be managed hundred per cent.
better and hundred per cent. cheaper The
Catholics by caring for her children, saved the State
millions OF dollars yet the State begrudges small
pittance to them to aid her In the good work.