The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-15
WHY AM A cATHoLlcs
The Rev. Father Cooks Lecture at st.
Patrickss Church.

EdtKiCk OnurcA.
The Rev. Father Cook, Of Detroit, Mich,
and the eloquent missionary who has been
the leader in the great mission held at St.
Patrick's church the past ten days,
was greeted with IA tremendous
audience last evening assembled to
hear his lecture on the pertinent
query, "Why Am / Catholic?"
After the singing OF beautiful anthem by
the choir, composed Of young ladies Of the
congregation under the leadership OF the
organist, Miss Ozanne, Father Cook
began his lecture by assuring all that it
was a great pleasure to him to be called
upon to address such vast assemblage.
lie announced at the beginning that it
was not his intention TO tell why he per-
sonally was Catholic, for, 'thank God, /
was never anything else but member OF
that great body Of Christians whose in
fiuence is known all over the world and
that has reached the very highest
pinnacle in point OF numbers, OF faithful
followers. When you remember that the
demands of the Catholic church are more
numerous, more painful and more grating,
and not one to give worldly wealth, you
must wonder how il has lived through all
ages. II is not easy to be true Catholic,
but millions upon millions have found
comfort and happiness in believing
In and remaining true TO Catholicism
II is not church Of yesterday, but from
the time of its divine founder. Men OF all
ages have looked on and wondered how,
IN spite OF all opposition, it still remained.
Wise men have arisen in their might and
promulgated new systems OF belief and
new articles OF faith, and threatened the
church with disaster; Kings have hurled
their battering rams OF power against its
walls, but they never overthrow them,
and yet il. has lived on and on until today,
like il was 800 years ago, il stands as
Jacobs ladder, Tor man in his trust and
faith to ascend 10 heavenly happiness, and
down which bright angels descend 10 give
comfort 10 the faithful.
Christ proved his divinity and Christ
founded the church, and to il gave certain
distinct qualities, certain marks, and let
US see il the marks ordained by him have
not been seen in the church during its
entire existence and is seen in il today
lie declared that the gates OF hell should not
prevail againstit. 1fitslumbered, then his
utteranccs were false, for that sleep proved
that hell had prevailed against II. He
said il should be interchangeable in time,
place, name and person. Let us see il it
Is Interchangeable. Here We find the mass,
the confessional and the cruciix, the Vir-
gin and the lost. Go 10 the northern
part of this country where tho lake
breezcs make cool the earth parched
by summers sun, and they
are there. In the rude edihcc,
built on Judea's burning sands thcy are
the same, and they are the same in the
fields of snow and icc-tbe same every
where. II thistrue OF Professionalism? With
them each man translates the Bible to suit
his reason, and establishes sect, and then
split aud start q new one"
4 IL was = most eloquent lecture, made
more fOrcihle by apt Illustrations. Father
Cook N polished ornate speaker, natu-
raj orator; his gestures are timely and
graceful, and his theme being one TO which
lac has given his life, his all, he was enthu-
siasiic and made profound impression.