The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-04-19
alorning Star and Catholic Messenger.
NEW ORLEANS. SUNDAY. APRIL 10. 1874

s'I pass to the two questions which Augustus
desires to hear argued and, first, let me collect
the opinions of this brilliant company will
then compare them with mine. What does
Antistius Labio think 7"
al should have to invent term to express
my notion" said Labio. al think all things
same being. What might be called pdnth'i'm'
if we coined a word from the language OF your
country, best explains, fancy, the pheno-
mena of the universe. Every thing is grown
and decay but as decay furnishes larger
growth, every thing is growth at last ana IN
the total sum-"
"Is this growth of all things under any
general control +" asked Dionysius.
each thing" replied Labo dis under the
control of its own nature, which evidently it
cannot change and every inferior thing besides
is under the control of any superior thing
with which it may come into relations. Thus
what is dotire is superior as such to what is
passive; it is more excellent and "A higher force
to act upon, or sway, or change, or move, or
form, than to be acted upon, moved, or modi-
fed. The mind of an architect, for instance,
is higher force than the dead weight of the
inert stones from which he builds palace
"Thcn you hold that some things have
force, and that there are greater and smaller
forces7 ?" asked Dionysius.
Undoubtedly" said Labio.
(which is more excellent" asked Dionysius,
"a force which can move itself, or force
which, in order to exist must be set in motion
by another"
"This last" said Labio, is only the first
prolonged it is but n continuation, an ctlcct.'
"And an effect" pursued tho Greek, '' is in
ferior as such to what controls it; and infe
rior also in its very nature to that which
quires no cause 7"
"Certainly," returned Labio; " am not 80
dull as to gansay that"
Now favor mo with your attention." re-
turned the Athenian; 81 want you to cxtricato
me from dilemma. Either every thing which
possesses fierce has received its force from
something else; or there is something which
possesses force, and which never received this
force from any thing else, and which, therefore
has possessed it from all eternity. Which of
these two alternatives do you select ~
Labio paused, and by this time tho whole OF
that strangely mixed society was listening
with the kecnish relish and the most genuine
interestte the conversation.
al see whittier you tend" replied Labio
"but do not believe in that universal ruler
and original mind or first force, which YOU
think to demonstrate. All things 20 in circles
and selially. Every force which exists has
been derived from some other; and each in its
turn continues the movement, or communicates
the impact"
"Prettily expressed remarked Vcllciu.
Paterculus.
al beg Augustus" said the Atheniau, t,
mark and remember Labio's words Ever,
thing which has force has received its fore,
from something else. Do you say trc,y nina
Labio, without exception"
Yes, every thing said Labo. al con
ceivo the chain to be endless"
But not hdrng, good Labio," replied til,
Athenian, "goes before ycccring. l cannot
and You cannot, receive that which we have
already. In order to say that we receive any
thing, we must first be without Unjust we
not The state of not having, I repeat, pre-
cedes the act of receiving. Does any person
deny this Does Labor
No one here spoke.
Then" said the Athenian, ain maintaining
that every thing which possesses force la,
rtceircd that force from something else, Liable
AeSSsehillS maintains lDnl every tnlDI hlCl
possesses force ,ras FIRST ,cithom ii. i therefore
perceive there must have been n time when
nothing possessed any force whatever. The
very first thing which possessed any, received
it; but whence For, at that time, there wa.
nothing to give it. What says LabioF !.
pantheism silent 7"
wish to hear more" said Labio " will
answer you a[tcrward."
n momentary smile, like passing CLEAN, Ii,
mp the faces of those around, rs the Athcninn
looking toward Domitius Afrr, requested him
the next TO favor the company with his opn
ion upon the two momeutary questions pro
pounded by Augustus.
need not, like Labio, coin a term from
the Greek,' said Afcr "to describe my system
/ am matcriaist. believe nothing say,
what my senses attest. They show me ncithe
God nor soul; and am determined never I,
accept any other criterion"
care you quite sure" asked D;onysius, "that
you are thus determined should like te
shake such determination"