The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-15

harmony of religion with reason, of prov
idence with freedom, of modern democ-
racy with the ancient Pontihcate, of the
natural law with the revealed LAWN a
word of Catholicism with progress. He
ended his Pontifcial rule with a solemn
pronouncement of the impossibility of
this reconciliation-at war with Democ-
racy, with Science, with modern govern
ments, and modern aspirations of every
description.
Pope Leo Kill, in more ratient
manner, has attempted to bring the
Church once more into rapport with the
age: Not less radical is the opposition
to modern institutions which animates
him, but that opposition is of an offensive
rather than defensive character. Instead
of fulminations against modern tendencies
he would change the stream of those ten
denotes by forcing them into the dry
channels of ancient ideas. What Julius
H. did by his power, Leo X. by his arti-
fees, Sixtus " by his traditions and dis
cipline, Leo XIII. would fain bring about
by
The Philosophy Of Thomas Aquinas.
True, much ridicule has been cast upon
this scheme by unthinking persons. 1t
is unwise, however, to underrate the
power of any great system of philosophy
systematically and persistently taught
Philosophic speculation takes possession
of consciences, consciences engender new
institutions, and new institutions change
the face of society. Both in Johns evan
gel and in Paul's epistles we see the in
huence of philosophy on the very form of
Revelation. The living Church, from
the beginning until now, has always as
simulated itself to the regnant philoso-
ply. Catholicism identified itself with
pagan thinkers like Aristotle, and Mus
sulman thinkers like Averroes. That pow
er of assimilation supported its progress.
Before the modern philosophy, however,
Catholicism has only scorned, or receded,
or cursed. All this is to be changed,
however. The ideas of the angelic Doc
tor are to be reestablished The attempt
might be laughed down, did we not know
that it represents an actual mental want
of this age. Progress and evolution, the
scientific faith in the law of development
have stirred up mental revolt, and
many will rejoice that the old armories
arm the insurgents. Excommunications
of science are in vain. Plus the TX ex-
hausted the courage of his followers and
exposed his consistories' to ridicule by
banning its further advance. Leo adopts
different tactics. Cultivate natural
SCIENCE" he exhorts the sons of the
Church, but cultivate it in the 10Th
century in humble accordance with the
method devised by the Angelic Doctor in
the 18th" 1t is like the bird-snarer
calling to the nightingale to come into
his net and sing henceforth in gilded
cage. The philosophy of the schoolmen
was the philosophy of a time in which
| the mind was open but the world was a
closed book Reason was as subtle as
now, but far more presumptuous. 1t
would not condescend to collect facts,
it dived into its own depths and fabri-
Gated them. So long as the conclusions
followed from the premises thinkers We're
content. That the premises were entirely
without foundation mattered not to them.
! Nothing was too sublime for their AFRO
CANT pride to attempt. They plumed the
nature of angels, of God himself with the
most perfect self-confdence, in the same
way that they would have delineated the
anatomy of bird or beast without ever
having dissected a single specimen. Out
of the scantiest materials or out Of none
at all, doctor of the school of Aquinas
was ready to build up the universe
Thinkers, profoundly ignorant of the
world in which they lived, were prepared
to dogmatize on all and everything with
more assurance than if they had been
presidents Of modern British Associa-
ton Morals, theology, politics, physics
were all cast into one and the same cru
chile of logic. st. Thomas's great sum.
ma is a curious piece Of polished con.
crete, in which the student never knows
what opposed wonders of existence he
may not encounter, interfused with one
another From the mysteries of Deity
he is snatched in moment to discuss
some grossly human problem. Man,
ordinary duties to his neighbor and the
economy of the heavens are treated pre-
cisely on the same level. Every point
Of human conduct must submit itself tC
the mould Of a syllogism. A plant can
not spring into blossom and fruit without
the consent Of pitiless logic first having
been asked
Over all and through all, is seen anc
reigns mother Church. That was in it.
self accidental. The Church happened
to be the depository of learning and itt
soIo taocber Fret tba treoerros of A.