The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-06-15
Are Catholics Energetic Enough 2


ing the accounts of the works undertaken
by Pretestantism. And that reading Las
suggested some thoughts which may az
we'll be honestly expressed. Protestant
ism ID still an immense activity. It's con-
stant changes,--its numerous divisions
its elf-contradictory scots, may have di-
minished, but have been far from Destroy
ing the energy Of its spirit. It still works
with the fire and force of it's old zealotry.
It's power of propogandism is not dead and
is not dying. Error can be terribly in ear
nest,-and Protestant error has shown and
still continues to show an earnestness wor-
thy of better cause. In tracts and
pamphlets and preaching and books,-in
expenditures of moneys and endowments
of colleges and establishment Of missions
in system aud variety aud vigilance of Or
ganizations,-in tenacity Of purpose under
difficulties and stubbornness of resistance
under defeat; in bold though unsuccessful
moves against the grand line of Catholic
faith,-in adaptation of policy to time,
place and circumstances,--iR generosity OF
contributions to works that never reach sue
cess-Protestaptism works with o will that
does not waver,-with a strength that sell
dom relaxes and with an enthusiasm that
scarcely ever flickers and never smoul-
ders,-though it is but the flame that
flashes from mere human opinion. Prot
estantism has brains, and they work
hard ;-hands,-,and they are never weary
of building even though it be on shifting
sands ;-minds,-and they are striving to
mould the form of the future ;-hps,-and
they never are silent ;-pens,-and they are
always busy ion new pages ;-eyes, and
they keep the vigils Of the hours;-pul-
pits,-apd they are filled with speech >
purses,-and they are always open 3
money,-and it is lavishly expended .
writers,-and they employ, to the utmost,
all their talents Journals, and they are
we'll supported ;-books,-and they are
flung off in Thousands to be read by
millions ;-colleges,-and they are crowded
with students and endowed with riches -
organizations political and religious,-and
they work with energy and other appli-
ances whose number it were hard to state
and whose influences it were harder still to
estimate. Professionalism governs the gov
ernments of the day,-sways the politics
of the governments-inspires the princi-
pies of the politics. In the political order
Professionalism is supreme. Professionalism
writes the most of the literature of the
ture according to it's own image and like
ness. In the sphere Of literature Protest.
antism ie without q rival. Professionalism
is the historian of the day. But its story
true or false, is writes it; and the world
reads. Professionalism is the philosopher
of the age. Be it's ideas the faithful or the
faithiess image of the True, itphilosophizes
none the less and it's scholars, in multitudes
accept its teachings.
In the, order of philosophy Protestant
ism works the hardest though it may not
think the deepest, and though it certainly
does not think the truest Tell us not that
Professionalism is putting on the shroud of
the Indifference ere it descends into the
grave of Inidelity. In the logical order it
may be so-and we believe that it is So
But in spite OF the logic that kills it intel
lectually, Professionalism still lives hard
working, strong. willed life. Its vital
power Of protest against our Church has
not yet fed. Professionalism has not yet
become corpse of intidelity. 1t, still,
feels, thinks, talks, works and wars against
us. How religion of ever-changing opin-
ion can possess and exhibit such energy is,
to say the least, a wonder,-the wonder Of
evil.
But that wonder stands before us,
strong, stubborn, unyielding,-and wearing
the glow of an energy and an earnestness,
like to an angel Of darkness who, more
than once, has won the garments of the
Light. ~
And yet, Professionalism is neither the
Faith nor the Truth, though it may seem
to possess the zeal Of Faith and the energy
of truth. It is an opinion. It is human
idea. 1t is a negatisn. 1t is the Nothing
Of the mind of man denying the Allness of
the truth Of God. That Nothing is work
ing with might and main in the world to-