Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-17

luVentlOn OF printing. Lutn9r was lucky
in many respects. Had no lived before
Gutenberg, this principle of individual
reading of the Bible should have appeared
SO ridiculous that sven Luther would not
have dared give utterance to it. The in
vention of Catholic ages, the printing
press, made universal instruction pos
slble,. land when more general attention
was given to it Catholics were not behind
their Protestant neighbors. Indeed, as far
as it has gone in Protestant countries, it
has been the work of the state far mere
than of the church. Its greatest advances
are of recent dates. Fifty years ago a
Protestant, Laing, wrote: Sin Catholic
Germany, in France and even
in Italy, the education of
the common people in reading, writing,
arithmetic, music, manners and morals is
at least at generally difused and as faith
fully promoted, by the clerical body as in
Scotland. It is by their own advance, and
not by keeping back the advance of the
people that the popish priesthood of the
present day seek to keep ahead of the in
tellectual progress OF the community in
Catholic lands. They might retort on our
Presbyterian clergy and ask if they too, in
their countries arc at the head of the in
tellectual movement of the age. Rome,
with population of 1850 souls, has
372 primary schools, and 1900 children
attending them. Has Edinburgh as many
schools for the instruction of those classes |!
doubt it. Berlin, with a population
double that of Rome, has only 264 schoolB.''
PRoGRHss SINCE THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
have no tims to pass in lengthy review
the intellectual movement of the world in
the last three Centuries. A few statements
will suffice 10 show that the part belong
ing to the Lutheran revolution is far from
being equal to that assigned to it in the
popular belief.
feature of the movement in more
modern times as compared with that Of
earlier ages, is that in both Catholic and
Protestant countries the development of
the natural order is left very largely to
that order itself, whore indeed it properly
belongs. individuals or governments,
without reference TO church organizations,
or without waiting for aid or encourage
ment from them, Push forward literature
and science. The natural OF
der is now able TO take care
of itself,as it was not in other ages,aud the
church withdraws that fostering protection,
which at one time absolutely necessary,
ID now more or less superfuous.
This being the fact, when lit
erary or scientific progress is made in
country, Catholic or Protestant, il does
not fcll0w that the glory belongs TO Prot
estantism or Catholicism. Neither is the
blame 10 be awarded TO one or the other,
if paople through apathy or from bad
government shows itself Indifferent to
progress.
Great names are recorded in tbs annals
OF progress from Protestant countries.
Were those who bore than inapired by
Professionalism? Germany boasts of Gros-
Jus AND Leibnitz. They were Catholics in
belief aua often on the point Of emitting
publicly toelg profession of faith, Cor
Ius, according t2 Haliam, being prevented
from so doing by sCddeu death. Eugland's
Shakespeare Was in all probability Cath
oilc. Would kopsiock have been 3 worse
poet If ne haI LOT been 4 Protestant? Did
Prots55EuDsm suggest tho discoveries Of
Isaac Newton: Catholic countries have
surely given their portion OF literary and
scientific mon to the world and proven
thereby shat Intellectual assent to the
truths Of Catholic faith was no impedi-
ment 10 progress. wall quote the opinions
of Burke and Gibbon. Burke says:
France alone has produced more distin-
3ulshed msn Than all the Prot
estant universities of Europe"
Gibbon says: "a monastery of bone
dictines has given to the world more
books OF science than all the universities
of England" wide Haulevillel. Itsly re-
tained the palm for literature during the
10Th century. ITALY" says Hallam, 'sthe
genial soil whore tho literature of aniiou i-
ty had been first cultivated, still retained
her superiority in tho fine perception of
It's beauties, and in the power of retracins
them oy spirited imitation. It was the
hand of taste and sensibility mover more
so than in the age of Raphael as we'll as of
Areosto." The same century was q most
brilliant one for Spain, where Cardinal
Nimenes was the powerful patron of learn
ing. Cervantes, Lopa de Vega, Cslderon,
SPANS literary sons, would grace the an
nails of any nation. Hallam tells US that
learning was lower in Rngland under EIiz.
abeth tnan in Spain at the sams perisd.
in most branches of crudition it is IN
deniable that Spain, under Philip II, held
higher station than England under Eliz-
abeth" This age of Louis the Great, in
france, during the seventeenth century,
the age of Bossuet, Pascal, Male
brauche, Racine, Moliere certainly will not
suffer bycomparison With the age of Queen
anne IN EagIand, however bright the
nag that its records present to US. Des-
eaFtes Is not inferior to Bacon in philoso-
ply, and his writings while profound are
Inteligl what cannot be said of Kant and
tichte. In all branches of science Catho- !
lie names appear as numerous and as
brilliant as Protestant names. In discov-
cries and voyages Catholic navigators |
manned the vessels of even Protestant |
powers. The relations of Catholic mis-
slonaries are the most valuable monuments |
We possess TO day of the early history of |!
our own continent.
Professionalism has had very slight direct |
influence upon literature or science. Il |
built up some universities, not as many rs |
it had destroyed, ard contributed literally |
to Biblical lore. But little more can be |
ascribe5 to it. Nor could 1t we'll be other |
wise, since Professionalism has no strong |
organization and can never act except |
through individual efforts. Professionalism |
is indiYiduslism in religion, and will CON
sequently nevsr exercise much power in |
the world.
The Catholic church did not cease her |
labors in the cause of progress, although |
they were no longer necessary as of yore,
the world being now able of itself to take |
oal Of 10 ,1