The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-04-04
The Utility of Opposition.

The following excellent article is taken from
the Catholic Standard, and is one of the many
that fill its editorial columns:
If we read the history of the Catholic Church
with any attention, we may often observe the
great obstacles which good and pious projects
have had to contend with, not only at their
inception, but frequently for many years be.
fore they were accepted and acknowledged.
1t is great error to suppose that St. Dominic,
st. Francis and St. Ignatius of Loyola, to take
prominent instances, were Immediately recog-
nized as saints, and their institutes and orders
universally recognized as soon as they were
formed. On the contrary, every Order and So
ciety in the Church has been obliged to pass
through a fire of criticism and opposition, and
overcome numerous obstacles, before being re-
cogniZed and approved.
1t is a gross error, prevalent amongst ILL
instructed Protestants, to imagine that some
adroit plan Is every now and then devised at
Rome, and through the instrumentality of
agents put into execution. On the contrary,
most of the great agencies. which are doing so
much good III the Church, have arisen from
the efforts of individuals. A Spanish soldier
is wounded, aud obliged to take to his bed.
He reads the lives of the saints, and wishes to
follow their example. In time he forms a COM
munity and obtains the approval of the Holy
See, and after many years the Society of Jesus
blooms over the Catholic world. A simple
priest in France reaches peasant girl to tend
an old woman, ard after many years we behold
the Little Sisters of the Poor in every country.
St. Anthony flies into the Egyptian Desert,
and in the course of many years its solitudes
are peopled with a race of hermits. A servant
girl of Lyons collects few francs from her
friends, and it results the Association for
the Propagation of the Faith.
Great oaks have sprupg from little acorns,
and so it has been with all the institutions of
the Church. The Holy See uses due delbera-
tion and caution about such matters and is of
opinion that we should "make haste slowly"
the old Latin proverb has il. 1t knows full
well that many an organization and society,
that started in its career full of zeal and pety,
has afterw wards degenerated, and not only SO,
but has become the very opposite of what 1t
was designed to be- The Masons were former
ly pious copfraternity of laymen, who exert
ed their talents in the erection of the beautiful
churches, cathedrals and abbeys that covered
Catholic Europe; yet, in the course of few
years, they became an odious, impious sect,
the curse of Christendom, and animated with
a diabolical hatred against the Holy See. The
Knights Templars fell from their holy and high
estate and became o by-word and a scorn, and
were suppressed, leaving the modern Order to
inherit their name, but not their qualities. In
fact, the shores of the ocean of Time are strewn
with the wrecks of foundered organizations.
Wa. Can we not learn lesson from this7 As we
are accustomed to travel by steam, we think
now a-days that some projeot-some good pro-
ject, rhaps-has only to be started and that
every one must be interested in
it, and that it should receive unqualified en-
dorsement and prompt supI OFT. Poor human |
nature is the same in all ages Eager, jealous,
energetic at the commencement of his enter |
prises, man thinks every moment wasted that |
is not employed in pushing them but soon his
energy flags and his efforts relax. A little
opposition at this stage does great
good. 1t stimulates him to renewed exertiens, |
Il tries his sincerity and tests his metal.
When the sun is shining, and the breezes are
favorable. the Efforts of the sailor flag but
when clouds arise and tempests lower, he puts
orth his utmost vigor. Tne great and noble
Orders of the Catholic Church, as we'll as the
humorous Congregations and Associations,
we're not born in the lap of ease and luxury;
lut, the contrary, were nursed in storms
md cradled in tho winds. They were tried by
many gale, and their roots grew strong and
eep by reason CT opposition. In like manner
very organization must expect opposition and
riticism at first, and afterwards It will be all
he stronger and better for the trials through
7hich it has passed.