The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-09

cans watered the field of the first msson. =
South Americs with their blood.-and A..
warrior-sons of st. Ignatius de Lovoo w. Do
carried the tidings of salvation to everv 80
on the globe.
We read but the other day of noble .1ss,,.
| who has obtained permission from his ecolo.;
astical superior to devote himself on one of ~.
| dreary Sandwich Islands, to the COLONY of noo,
lepers who are imprisoned there. Whence ala
he learn so faithfully this divine lesson. tanoht
by the Saviour himselff From the rad;an.
pages which Spain unrolled to the world. and
on which are written the life and deeds dfsucb
men as st. Francis Xavier, st. Lewis Bertrand
st. Francis of Solano, st. John of the Cross
| and countless others whose hearts drew in the
breath of mercy beneath the skies of Spain.
In commercial pursuits we also know that
Spain long held the leadership. The memoirs
of the ancient city of Barcelona show the AZ.
tiyity, prosperity and intelligence in industry
and commerce to which the Catalonian peopla
had attained; and which never permitted other
nations to surpass them in the march of civil
| cation and Improvement.
| Spain has also worn glorious crown for
| learning and wisdom, in the many names AZ.
knowledged as pre-emnent in poetry, mathe.
matics, philosophy, theology and JURISPRUDENCE.
ST. Isidore, st. Ildefonsus, Ximenes, Melchior
Cano, John D'Avila, Rodriguez, Cervanteg
Lope de Vega, Herrara, are a few of the MANY
bright stars which shone at different times in
the armament of Spanish history. In our own
day, we have Balmes, whose eminent talents
and vast erudition have given to his writings
an universal fame, and who has been called
the boast of the Spanish clergy and of the
whole Catalan people.
In the domain of art, Spain stands second
only to Italy. -Murillo is known abroad only
in those subjects in which Catholic sentiment
is feebly portrayed; but in his own country he
awakens feelings of the deepest love and ad-
mlration; and many persons have found his
works equal in subimity and loving devotion
to those of Raphael himself
Velasquez is another Spanish painter, un-
rlvalied in his subjects, whether they be per-
traits, or historical or religious pieces His
cruclhxions are wonderfully touching We
have reason to believe there is an original by
this great painter, here in our midst, and we
can testify to its surprising excellence both
as a work of art and devotion. 1t is a cruci-
hxion, and the marvellous touches which re-
heVe the pallid flesh of the Sacred body by
the white folds of the linen around the loins,
reveal the master-hand while the expression of
INFINITE CAIN and majesty in the midst of inf
mite suffering and shame, displays the genius of
a mind illumined by Catholic faith. And we
oil know that Ribera, zurbaran, Divine Nor
ales, Juan Juanes and Alonzo Cano are Spanish
artists of world wide reputation.
Now let us glance at what Spain was few
short years ago, when quiet order reigned, and
charity built up noble monuments to the glory
of God and the benefit of man. Here we find
the hospitals founded by st. John of God, who
nursed the sick himself at night, and begged
for them by day ; and whose favorite saying
is engraved over the doorway of the hospital:
z" Do all the good in your power while time is
allowed you"
Here we find all those charitable confrater-
mites devoted to the relief of every species of
of infirmity or distress.
Here is to be seen the work house. or 4lbergo
de los Pobres, where the children are provided
with a home and not a prison. Travellers in
Catholic countries are always impressed by the
difference in the treatment of poverty in these
and IN Protestant lands where it is looked upon
almost, as crime. Here there is no iail-like
atnosphere-no cold and cruel silence but
instead, a lovely garden with perfume of flow
ers and pleasant seats for the weak and ailinp,
with kind voices to greet and cheer and gentle
hands to tend and nurse them.
In Spain, we find that exquisite courtesy to.
ward one another, only known among Catho.
les, who SEQ in each brothers face an image of
lin who died for all. The refusal to a begpar
Forgive me, brother, for the love of Godwis
ull OF Christian charity, and bespeaks the
chool IN which the Spanish heart is trained.
Here may be seen the Carload for incursble
name procIaims its mission
lrected by the Sisters of Charity. Also the
hospitals for Women, managed by the Sisters
II the third order of st. Francis; all the bene-
its of which institutions are giren to the poor
or the love of God.
Lady Herbert, in her Impressions of Spain,
lenti"ns an incident peculiarly suggestive of
ender, delicate charity. She was wondering,
ne day. at the use of little marble slab, with
sou cushion upon 1T, which projected from
olumn, close to the baptismal font, in the
lQrCh of TOladn On