The daily Argus., 1877-02-05
From he Nel0 York World.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN
AMERICA.
Bishop Elect spalding's Lecture on its
History IandEProgress.

TheIRev. }. L. Spalding,S. T, L. Bishop
Elect of Peoria, ILL.,, lectured last evening |
at Cooper Institute upon the History OF
the Catholic church in America, and Its
bearing on the future of Roman Catho-
licity in this country" He said:
"America is playing an important part at
present in the worlds history and Its IN
Huence is to become still greater, The
tendency of Europe is away from central,
ization and towards Democracy; witness
the recent turn of events in France and
England and the continuing separation Of
the affairs Of church and state, an ap-
proach to the condition of things here,
where these two great institutions are en-
tirelv distinct Noting these tendencies
of modern civilization, it becomes vltally
important to ask ourselves how the
Catholic church is to be affected by the
inevitable contact with this modern condl-
ton Of society. How can this be better
undertaken than by reviewing the past
history of our church in this country, the
type, probably, of the future governments
of the world? We revert proudly to the
glorIes OF the church in ages past, so dl-
Vinely, so nobly related to human civiliza-
ton as she is Can she continue to hold
in future the power held in the pastor is
she to perish Looking at the matter
through human eyes-setting aside divine
PROMISES say no. neither by persecu-
ton. the days for which are past, or by
reason of the quiet effects of our modern
society ana civilization.
But it has been urged that the Catho
lie church could thrive only under condl,
tons of ignorance and superstition; that
she shrinks from the light of liberty. edu-
cation and science. Let us see whether
she is prosperous only under such circum-
stances. All the thirteen American colon
les, saye Maryland, were settled by pee
pie who differed from the doctrines Of the
Catholic church. The Puritan was the
extreme type of the Protestant, and hated
the church of England because she still
retained some evidences of her Catholic
origin. The other type of Professionalism
the Virginia cavalier-also despised the
Catholics cordially. There was no chance
for Catholics in America before the Revo-
lutionary war. They then numbered only
10000, and being hated and unorganiZed
had lapsed into a state OF apathy. Have
we anything to fear in the future, if pros
perity has been achieved from beginnings
like theseP
The constitution, iu proclaiming re-
Egious liberty, intended no kindness to the
Catholic church, but only 20 allow of a
union of protestant peoples of many diff
ferent creeds. Like the question of slav-
cry, that of religion was reserved by the
states for their own management. The
test oaths debarring catholics from holding
Office have only been abandoned recently.
In New York in 1926; Massachusetts,
1881; New Jersey, 1884; New Hampshire
1876. | am, however, glad to see that
these clauses prescribing catholics long be
fore their expurgation were dead letters
Thomas Jefferson was the founder of the
secular theory of government, aud also o.
the Democratic party. Catholics do moi
fear or desire anything but religious lib
erty, and thus it is evident why catholics
have been 10 sympathy with the Demo
cratic party. The catholics rose in estima
ton because of their patriotism in the wal
for independence, and on account of the
sympathy of Catholic Frapce.
In 1890 Father Carroll was created
the first bishop 10 America. We then haC
about twenty five priests, few churches, NJ
colleges, no seminaries. Our supply o
priests had to be taken from France-dis
turbed by the French reYolution-and ever
those coming from that country were uu
acquainted with our tongue. What show
ing can be made now as the result of les
than century's labors? There ar,
1000, 900 Catholics, 5000 priests, l,27;
ecclesiastical students, 6,52S churches, 6;
colleges, 33 seminaries, 2l4 asylums anC
96 hospitals To-day there is no religious
denomination of greater wealth than tn,
catholic. We have increased in numbers
relatively to the population from one one
hundredth to one-sixth. Catholicity her
has survived all the perils of her earl.
history. We are now thoroughly organ
lied aud united, whereas various Protest
ant sects have suffered disruption owing L
the late war. We are the greatest religi
Gus fact and power in the United State.
Everything is now favorable for us. W
are of the people, and have their sympath
and love. In the future the Catholi
church is TO be the great bulwark of ou
institutions. De Tocquevile has trul
declared the tendency Of Catholicity to b.
democratic md that of Professionalism n