Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-04-17
AN ABLE LECRUBE.
Delivered by Father Cussck
Cathedral, Last Evenins

Cathedral, Last Evening
Last. night vast and INTEL igent audz
filled the Cathedral, to hear the eloquent
and amiable Father Patrick Cussck, on the
subject, Church and Civil Government.
Father Cusack is gentleman Of line Physi-
cal appearance, with an intellectual 1row,
and a head lightly circled with rich auburn
hair. ,
Promptly at o'clock the lecturer entered
the sanctuary accompanied by Bishop
Kahn, Fathers sSullivan, Deehan, League
and Schleicher, of Wheeling. Gull, OF Bell
aire, and McMenamin, OF Benwood.
On opening, the Reverend gentleman
stated that on account OF the great growth
of the Catholic church In the United States,
her teachings on authority and civil
government was of great interest to the
American people. Man being composite
in his nature-spiritual and animals
subject 10 two laws. There are two lnsatu-
tions in the world which he is ruled-the
church and the State. These two institu-
lions in the exercise OF their duties can
never conflict. In their sphere OF action
they ara distinct but not separate.
The church yields the spiritual sword,
civil government the secular sword. Prac-
tically each OF these two institutions-viz:
the church and civil government-some-
times conflict in the exercise of their re-
spectiye rights. They conflict on the ques-
tfons of marriage, education, and the Sc
questration of church property. Marriage
Ietween baptized persons is not only a
contract. but a sacrament also; therefore it
belongs t. b. church to determine the
contract, and the bond is indissoluble. The
State ignores the perpetuity of the bond,
and thereby introduces the entering wedge
10 the Acknowledgement of society. II has
tolerated polygamy and free-love colonies;
il was its duty for its own preservation to
have suppressed it, if necessary, by physi-
cal force.
II inerferes with the sacred duty OF edu.
cation, which belongs to the family and
the church. Although it must be con-
coded that the State has the right -
compel unwilling parents to educate
their children in order that the State may
be more prosperous in peace, more formid-
able in war II belongs TO the church, new
ertheleSs, TO have supervision OF the educa-
ton bestowed. for education is driving
out Of the best qualities of mind and heart
And that system of education which does
not practically teach the duties OF the child
10 God, to parents to himself, is worse than
none.
Civil governments have despoiled the
church OF his temporalities, in our own
times notably the Italian government. This
is a crime worse than robbery-it is a sacri-
lege. 1t is Q taking away from God that
which has been offered TO Him by grateful
hearts. the worthy rendering OF service to
His homage as Lord and master of the uni
verse.
The church bears q friendly relation to
all forms of civil government, whether mo-
narchical oligarchical or republi-
can. 1t is a popular mistake
to suppose the Catholic Church
inimical to Republican institutions, while
the church teaches with st. Paul that al
power comes from God; she does not teach
the divine right of kings any more than
she teaches the divine right of Presidents.
1t is an open question whether the power
conferred by God on Kings and Presidents,
first to the people then to the King or
President or otherwise. The attitude OF the
church is the same towards monarchieS and
republics. st. Thomas the "angel OF the
schools" Suarez, and Bellarnine, among
the most eminent Catholic theOlogians,
teach that authority comes to the
peCpic through them to the
rulers, whether Kings or Presidents.
No more favored portion of the habitable
globe can be found to-day wherein the
Church exercises her divine ministrationS
than this great Republic, the United States.
And the more the teachings of the Church
are known to those who are outside her
pale the more they will recognize that ii
there be God, Supreme Ruler of the Uni
verse, and if there be soul endowed with
immortality and if there be responsible
" for which we shall have to account to-
the Supreme Tribunal, the more clearly
will they see that the Catholic Church is
the Church of God, the Teacher Of man
kind.
The lecture lasted one hour. and was list
fN 49, ,pf hN. hn nd
much OF which was composed OF some OF
our best citizens, non-CathOliCs. At the
conclusion Father Cusack was warmly con-
graduated in the episcopal reSiden ce by
Bishop Kahn, the clergy and many Of the
laity.
The lecture was under the auspices OF
the st. Vincent de Paul Conference for the
benefit of the poor Of this city-irrespec-
tive OF creed, color or previous condition.
Father CusaCk has made many friends in
Wheeling. and should the Conference be
again so lucky rs to secure his services for
a second occasion, big house will again
greet his appearance on the roStrum.