The Portland daily press., 1875-12-10
CATHOLIC UNION COURSE.


Ihe nrSt lecture IN the CatnOnc y ulOn course
was delivered by Rev. Mr.. Goodwin Of Lacon-
ia, N. n. The lecturer has very easy and
graceful style upon the platform. The Union
was very fortunate in securing such an interest
ing speaker to open their course. he has
genius for holding the attention of his audience
throughout his lecture. This was done to per-
lection last evening. His subject was ''The
Century in an Hour" or san Hour with the
Century" He began by saying that if we re-
duce description of the century to an hour, it
would be following the example of the age in
which we live, which reduces even things of i'm
portance, at times, to the smallest dimensions;
which like mathematics, narrows things to
their least possible expression, thereby reducing
their standard, or seeming to place little or no
value upon time and measures. If we do this
with our subject we may in part be satisfied,
fulfilling in certain degree the title, for this
will be the century in An hour. If we spend one
hour in detailing methodically the one hundred
years through which we have passed as ma
ton, commencing, gradually expanding in Wig
or, developing in power like the humble seed
which though despised at first yet takes root,
planting deep its germ, finally towering in the
the majestic tree. If we treat our subject after
this fashion, then perhaps the subject shall be
more complete, the title be better sustained,
and it shall remain with you to determine if
it be just to say we have spent full hour with
the century. After this brief Introduction the
lecturer proceeded to review the past century
from a three fold standpoint, viz: National,
social and religious In order to find out the
value of nation, we must see how it rates in
the family of nations. 1t is necessary to con-
slider her beginning, her increasing influence,
and her after mature development together
with the reason thereof. 1t is also necessary
to take in thousand greater or less details,
including her honesty, justice, prosperity,
purity of motives, patriotism-in fine, all the
virtues, with sprinkling of the wickedness
and vices, that belong not only to individuals,
but which fasten themselves to nations as
well, forming part of their very existence.
This being the case, let US 60 back one hundred
years. We might note by the way of preface
that although we boast of one hundred years,
it is after all not SO long period: There have
To-day there is nothing but "Centenniai, !"
talked of on the street. This is well, but we
should not be too proud of what we have ac-
complished. We should remember that we
had help in building this republic. France
helped US materially, and we had the sympa'
thy of large class in Europe. In the earlier
days of the republic political parties were un.
known; political gatherings were unheard OF
and the word politician with an eye to place
and power. needless of principle, was not
known. These are of modern growth. Shams
were then the exception and not the rule The
century past will be success according as we
improve the example set by our forefathers.
They were satisfied with wooden ships and
sails, while we rush along propelled by steam,
incased in an iron steamer. Little care we for
wind or weather, for by the advancementso OF
science. and with a code of national signals
and "Old Probabilities' at Washington, we
have the weather all prepared for US. The old
and new world are in constant communication
by the aid of science. In invention we surpass
the world. Our forests have been turned into
gardens and parks. Distance is now nothing,
for people travel with the utmost comfort in
Pullman cars and floating palaces. By the aid
of the electric telegraph nations are brought
side by side, as it were. But all has not been
perfect. The country has yet to learn how ia
perpetuate this American republic Many
hands have helped to build this republic-a
glorious union made up of all nationalities
French, English, Scotch, italian. German, and
last but not least. millions of loyal liberty-loy
ing sons of poor old Ireland. All these classes
have helped make this republic what it is to
day-the model republic Of the world, home
of the brave and a land of the free.
The speaker here passed to the second part
of the lecture-the social position of the c0un.
try. Different minds take different views OF
the social question. Young America is differ.
ent from old America. Socially speaking
there was great deal of 'old fogysm'' one
hundred years ago, but still we may 60 back
and improve. The theatres and courts Of JUS
tice are good tests of the state of society.
Look at ours to-day, and see the state that
they are in. We have made some improve
me1t in this direction, but not to that extent
which naturally belongs to government by tht
people in the absence of standing aristocracy
and the exclusive control of power with it,
good use by the governing and governed. To
be successful, we must make it permanent, We
must go back to first principles and renew the
virtues of our forefathers. .
The lecturer then passed to notice the thire
or religious aspect of the country. The growth
of the Catholic religion has been very fiatter.
ing. In the first few years of the county ther'
was but one bishop in America; now Their
| are almost twice as many as there are sta te
| in the union. We count the Catholic popula
ton by millions and schools and colleges hav'
| rapidly increased all over the land. In speak
| ing Of the Catholic church the speaker re
marked that the purity Of motive was a
| transcendent in beauty as the truth of which
l she is the sole messenger as well as the sol
pOsSessor in entirety.