National Republican., 1882-12-11

however plainly it may be taught in the bible
For the whole theory is the result Of the re-
volt of mans proud spirit from the humili-
ating truths of the bible. That truth shows
him the degradation resulting from sin. II
humbcs his pride and brings down his high
thoughts of himself And thus he would
strike to make himself other than he is.
DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN CHAR
ITY.
ELOQUENT DISCOURSE AT TRINITY CHURCH,
GEORGETOWN, BY REV. FATHER MAgEvNEY.
At Trinity church, Georgetown, RCv. Father
Magevney, the eloquent pastor of st. Aloysius
church, preached charity sermon in behalf
of the ST. Vincent de Paul society. The CON
Gregation was very large, and at the collec-
ton handsome sum was realized.
After reading the gospel of the day Father
Magcvney began his development of christian
charity by saying that among all the virtues
charity is the most beautiful, since il makes
man so much like God; that is, it prompts
him to give all and take nothing. This dis
play of charity can be either negative or posi-
tive. 1t is negative in so far as it obliges
us to overlook the faults and short
comings of our fcllowmen; to make large
allowance for their peculiar casts of
character and taste and disposition. 1t is
positive inasmuch as it would have us assist
our ncghbor spiritually, leading him to
virtue, shielding him from sin and
the many occasions which the world
offers for the indulgence of human pas
sions. But there is moro beautiful
display Of charity in the sharing with our
lcllow-man the good things which Gods
providence has left in our way or in our
keeping. After all, if he is our father in
heaven" we are all children Of one house
hold under his divine protection and in his
house, and our fratcrnal feeling should
be worthy of the highest praise which
christianity can imagine or teach. Not
all of us are equally successful in struggling
with the tide of fortune or misfortune, on in
riding the wave of circumstance. One rises
to success and another is buried in oblivion,
and intrinsic and true worth are not always
an assurance of II successful outcome, more
than a successful outcome is proof of them.
1t is said that all men are born free and equal,
but il may be doubted if the equality reaches
beyond the human effort to try and struggle
for success The trial and the struggle met
with very different results, and the equality
must come through the display of christian
charity.
After all, what nObler calling or vocation
can man have than that which christian
charity prompts. We love the brilliant gem ;
we pet the dropping flower. We have mercy
on the tired beast, but what are all these
things in comparison with man. the image
and likeness of his maker; endowed with fac
ultics so sublime and divine, and looking to
the future of so glorious an immortality! 1t
is man that we should admire, or love orpity:
and his wants should be our study, and in
that study our minds will become developed
and much enlarged. Hcand his wants should
call forth the noblcst tendencies of our
hearts, and in that calling awaken the vir-
tues in our souls, which else had remained
dormant. In word man S success spiritually
and temporarily should be the noblcst and
brightest aim of our ambition, and in proper
tion as we alleviate suffering and strength in
his character and brighten his life, in tho
same proportion will our missions upon earth
have been well wrought and our work well
done.
God in his mercy has provided for all
things but man-helplcss man, unfortunate
man, fallen man. He makes his rain to fall
in every valley and his sun to shine on every
hill and he clothes the lilies of the field with
more beauty than Solomon could boast of in
all his glory. Not bird of the air falls to the
ground without his wish or will. But what
has he done for man? He has left him mercy
at the hands of his fcllow-men. 1t is his
right and title; he claims it, he demands it.
The orphan holds out his hands in prayer to
mankind. Orphan, fatherless, motherless,
homeless! Blank memories, broken hopes,
blasted futures! A voice breathing
pure amid the odor of sin. Bright
features of innocence painted on
the dark world, mysterious fingers that
open the gates of the city of God, loving eyes
that look forever Oh the face of their father
in heaven. Orphan History of sorrow, rec
ord of dark days, hope of an carly grave Or
phan-lOnesOme name, coming to us like the
voice of the stormy petrol cingiug to a broken
spar. Poor little nursing of an angry tide
Oh the thought makes memories come back
to us, tlinging mute music from the past like
the wings of far-oif angels floating back again
/ What nobler duty can man perform than to
break bread to the pOor--tO brave men who
have courage to starvc, but not to steal to
beautiful women who would give their wealth
| of loveliness for a crust of bread, but would
not stoOp to sin? These are the objects of
our christian charity. Why should | stOop to
kiss the footstool which God made for my feet,
pouring out my hearts affections upon crea-
lures who were made to serve me and whom
was made to command?
And this is a most beautiful vocation. I
would feel divine had God taken me into his
great councils, and delegated my right hand
. to cOthe his forests in their robes OF green,
and crown his mountains with their eternal
SHOWS; to paint the beauty of his flowers; to
light the star in heaven, and bend his rainbow
over the sky; to guard and guide his seasons
from the fresh green leaf of spring TO the
yellow harvest in the autumn time Yet, is
not my appointment higher still? If | have
the care OF immortality; if l have the re-
sponsbility of the image and likeness
Of God which are stamped upon the
souls Of others? 1t is just here that the
dignity of my manhood finds glory in its
achievements and perfect peace and approval
for its resting place. 1t is the accomplish
ment of this charity in my dealings with my
fellow men that makes me like God and
makes me feel divncr.
Here Father Magevnoy paid a glowing trib-
ute to the associations that watch carefully
over the wants Of the poor, promising them
that their work was II God-like work, and
promising those who assisted them, especially
on the present occasion, that tho mcrcies
which they would cast along the lile-battlo OF
others would come back to them when they
would stand before the throne of God, where
will be verified the words, Blessed are the
merciful, or they shall find mercy"
THE AGE OF BOOKS.
WHAT REV. DIR. LEONARD, RECTOR OF ct
JOHNS CHURCH. SAYS OF THE BIBLE.