Daily globe., 1879-06-23

Right Rev. John Ireland, coadjutor Bishop
of St. Paul. 4s5 q : gt3s-
John Cardinal McClosky, Archbishop Of New
York.
Primate James Gibbons, D. D., Archbishop
of Baltimore.
. Most Rev. J. M. Henni, D. D., Archbishop of
Milwaukee.
Very Rev. s. Byrne, O. p, Primate Provin-
cial.
Very Rev. T: L. Power. o. p, pastor.
Rev: j. P. Turner, O. p.
Rev. j. s. Collins. O. P.
Rev. J. A. Daily, o. p. ~
Rev. d. A. McNIullen.
R. B. Hayes, President Of the United States.
Hon. J. s. Pillsbury, Governor of Minnesota.
Hon. A. c. Rand, Mayor of Minneapolis.
2. P. Bassford architect.
Joseph Holscher, M. L. Cummings, build
ers.
Beside the above document, copies of the
GLOBE and Pioneer Press of June 22d,
Dispatch and Tribune of June 21st, North
aoestern Chronicle of. ST. Paul, Freenn0,1's
Journal, N. Y, Boston Pilot and Catholic
RevseU. -
The procession of the clergy then marched
around the building, the priests chanting
the litany of the saints, while Bishop Grace
from an esperges sprinkled the walls of the
building with holy water.
The party then proceeded: to the church
where the following discourse was delivered
by Bishop Grace:
DISCOURSE BY BISHOP GRACE.
1t is very simple ceremony which has just
been witnesse:l-the blessing of corner stone.
But tie interest lies in the object or purpose
for which the edifce to be erected thereon is
| intended. The edifice is intended for con-
vent, that is, a house III which a number of in
dividuals live together in religious family or
community, observing certain method or rule
OF life, and having head, or superior, elected
by themselves from among their own number.
They live what is called q community life,
| having all things in common and possessing
nothing as individuals.
The motive in this method of life is per-
gospel cours sells, and greater efficiency in works
Of charity and religion through cooperative
efforts. Communities of this kind date from
a very early age Of the church.
! The rules or constitutions which form the
basis Of all religious orders in the church, both
ancient and modern, are that of st. Basil, of
the 4th century, which is followed throughout
the Eastern churche, and the Graco- Russian
church; that of st. Augustine, also of the 4th
| century, and that of st. Benedict, of the 9Th
century, which are observed throughout tho
Western church. But the elementary princi-
pies of these religious communities are found
in the gospel itself, and are embodied in the
practice of the first Christians. We read in the
Acts Of the Apostles that "the multitude
/ OF believers had one heart and one soul
i neither did any, one say that aught
Of the things he possessed was
his own." And we have our Lords own
Words EVERY one who hath left house and
lands for my names sake shall receive hum
dred fold and possess life everlasting "He
that loveth father or mother more than me is
not worthy of me-" Seek not the things Of
the world. J" BE not solicitous about what
you shall eat or wherewith you shall be cloth
ed" And Saint Paul, adverting that this is
the eleventh hour warneth us that ''rhe time
is short; it remaineth that they who have
wives be as if they had them not, and they
J who rejoice as if they reioiced not aud they
who possess as if they possessed not" The
Christians of those first ages exemplifed
strictly in their lives this spirit Of the gospel
aspirit of unwordliness; Of detachment from
the things of earth; of self-denial and morti
fcation; Of charity for each other and for al
men; of prayer and continued union of tht
soul with God.
That this is tho ideal of the true Christian
according to the gospel of Jesus Christ canno
most every page of the New Testament to show
this; and these can be met by no other texts tt
the contrary. The only question
! touching this matter is, how fa1
it is incumbent upon Christians of our times
and of all times, to conform to the spirit of tht
lives of the first Christians. Times, it is said
have changed. Yes, unhappily; pride and lug
ury and the lust for gain have revived the spiri
OF olden ldolatry among protesting Christians
But the gospel of Jesus Christ has not changed
The sermon on the mount has not become OBJ
solete or out OF date. If those words of the
gospel are not intended for every one. nor ad
dressed to every one, it is not, therefore, to bt
concluded that they are intended for no one
and addressed to no one. Many of the things
in the gospel, we grant, are not binding or in
cumbent upon all Christians indiscriminately
yet it is certain that as in the first age go il
every age of the church of Christ, this spirit o
the gospel in the strict sense we have indi
Gated has been exempifed among her chill
dren, and this model of q perfect Chris
4 tian has had faithful imitators. Where:
Among the poor and lowly Of her flock, anG
especially, and in the highest degree, in thos.
holy retreats of religion to the purpose o
I which we have this day dedicated the hous
here to be erected. n u s3tas ~ -JN *
Il The circumstances that renders difficult o.
rather precluded the observance of the evan
gelical counsels in the early times of th'
church after the first fervor Of Christian piet!
had to a great extent become cool. and which
forced those who sought in earnestness th
J kingdom of God in their souls, to retire from
the world into desert places. either to liy.
solitary lives in communion with God only, o
to form themselves into communities animal
! Gu WIN tue same one n1nU 8uO one SplIlC--
these circumstances exist now. And the sam
obedience to the interior calls of God,, and as
pirations to higher spirituality lead souls
now into converts and monasteries as they led
them of old away from the cares, the passions
the changes and the corruptions of the world
In becoming q memberof religious order
after certain term of probation to make sur
that the call to such a life is from God, tn
member makes total remuneration of himself
of his own will and of all claim TO property
by the three VOWS Of poverty, chastity and ODE
dience. Every sacrifice is freely and joyful
/ made in view Of the end proposed.
We call the substance of these vows the evan
, gelical counsel, for the reason that they ar
recommended in the holy scriptures, not com
z manded. With regard to earthly possessions
we have seen already how our Lord advises to
disregard and contempt for those things eve
to their renunciation. Speaking of virginit
Saint Paul says: 81 have no commandment o
the Lord; hut give counsel because think
is good for man SO to be. And agair
speak this by indulgence; not by command
ment; for would that all men were even a.
myself.1 And our Lord declares there are me
who, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven
| can devote themselves to a life of yirginity
But, he said, not all men receive this word
bnt they to whom it is given.'' Obedience i
everywhere commended as cardinal virtue
q It is through the principle of obedience ths
members of religious orders are directed il
4 their respective work, whether It be as preach
~