The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-06-27
Chiefly among Women"

Among the many frivolous objections
raised by Mr.. Gladstone against the Catho-
lie Church, one was that her ranks in Eng
land were recruited by conversions "chlef-
ly among women" In reply to this objection
a lady of culture aud talent over the signi-
ture of Gan American woman" gives an
eloquent and complete history of the intiu-
ence of women in Christianizing the
Universe, in an able article in the Jone
number of the Catholic World. This elaho-
rate article should be read and remembered
by every Catholic. The concluding portion
of it is as follows:
Finally, Mr.. Gladstone forgot the subtle
power of mother and wife, and the marriage
| laws Of the Catholic Church. The mothers
influence for good or evil, but especially
for good, in which she most inclines, is
| second to none that moves the heart of Ian.
| Whether it be Cornelis, pointing to the
Gracchi as her jewels; or Monica, pursuing
and persuading st. Augustine; Felicitas
| exhorting her seven SONS to marty rdom !;
| or the mothers of st. Chrysostom, st. Basil,
and St. Anselm, converting their children
to frmness in holiness; or whether it be
| the untutored mother of the savage, or the
unfortunate head of household setting an
unwomanly example, the mothers voice,
issuing from the quiveripg lips or coming
back silently from the tomb, is heard when
all other sounds of menace, of appeal, of re-
proach, or of tenderness fail to reach the
ear. Every mother makes her sex venerable
to her sou. The mothers love is above all
logic; it destroys syllogisms, refutes all
argument. 1t cannot be reasoned against
and when the salvation of the child ls the
motive, there is no power given to man to
Withstand it's seduction. "lt shrinks not
where man covers, and grows stronger
where man faints, and over the wastes OF
worldly fortune sends the radiance of its
quenchIess fidelity" Christ himself upon
/ the cross was not unmindful of his mother
yet he was God Says the greater Napoleon
"The destiny of the child is always the
the work of the mother" To the end of tim'
she will be, as she has ever been,
The holiest thing alive"
The faith of the mothers, if they believ
, in it, must become the faith of the sons ant
daughters. That the Catholic mother he
7 lieves, even Mr.. q adstOne will hesitate t.
deny. Ia no faith but the Catholic hav
I mothers accompanied their sons to marty r
e. dom. In no faith but the Catholic is tn,
), mother taught to believe, while still chill,
+ at her mothers breast, that she will be heit
responsible for the eternal welfare of he
q children ; that they mnst be saved with he
4 or she must perish with them. For thi
!. salvation she will toll and pray and weep
= | for this religion will keep her heart brave
4 aud her lips eloquent, aud her hand gentl
r and strong. For this she will work q
n neither man nor woman works for aust
a else and for this she will lay down be
!, life, but not until the sublime parpose
y accom- piished That done, she is ready t
+ die. For
9 Hath the not then fnr pains and fears,
o The he's day Of woe, the watohtul night,
= An over-pay ment of delighti"
/. If the mothers of England become Catht
l. lie, England becomes Catholic. The law
y of nature. Love must win, if talent partl
>. fails for even in heaven the seraphin
s which signifies love, is nearer God than tt
cherubim, which signifies knowledge.