Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-03

all Catholics IN the world with nm. lie
said that the priesthood was established
by our Lord for the perpetual carrying
on of His own work, for the diffusion to
all generations of the graces OF the in
carnation and the redemption. To be
called to that priesthood is n highervoca-
ton than any earthly calling. This days
Thanksgiving, therefore, is, he said, an
act of faith and thanks for the mysteries
OF the incarnation and the redemption
and for the priesthood by which their
! graces are dispensed forever.
EVENING.
In the evening the Bishop lectured on
the providentinl relationship of Leo
/ XIII. TO the epoch In which we live.
/ The Bishop was for seven months last
| year IN Europe on business connected
[ with the Catholic University, and III ad-
dition to the large stock of information
/ ne already had on this subject, by inter
views with the Pope, and by personal
observation, and in communication with
/ the great men of the Church, he no
doubt possessed himself OF many addi-
/ tional points of interest. he said that
/ this is the era of democracy, and that
| the development OF democratic institu-
! tions is to be attributed to the providence
| of God guiding the march Of time and
| Of the nations. This great moditi-
cation in the social organization of the
world called for parallel modification
| IN the relationship Of the Church to the
world The Church is to the world
what the soul is to the body. The soul
/ is always the same spirit and yet is af-
/ fected by all the notifications OF the
/ BODY. In Ike manner the Church will
J be forever the same spirit that the Son
/ of God made her, but the worldwide
I human body which she animates is sub
/ ject to constant vicissitudes, and to all
/ these she must adapt herself " that she
may win oil TO Christ.
/ Pius TX. recognized the democratic
future of the world and accepted 1t from
the outstart of his pontificate. But the
awakening popular forces were as yet
l too turbulent to be ready for his heroic
trust He was to do preparatory work
TO guard against two great dangers to
which democratic tendencies were to be
/ hable-the dangers of mere naturallsm
on the one hand and anarchism on the
other. The first danger was met, strange
as it might at first seem, 10y the defi-
milton of the immaculate conception
of tie mother of Christ, which IS virtu-
allv. and was meant to be, the declara-
ton Of mans fallen condition through
original sin, of the need Of redemption,
, of the divinity of the Redeemer, and the
supernatural religion by Him estab-
/ hshed. The second danger was met 10y
the definition OF papal infallibility, the
object of which was TO declare that man
kind are not left at the mercy OF tiuctu-
ating human opinions, but are ever
/ guided. through a human agency, 10y
Christ. the light of the world, and by
the spirit of truth; and that though the
masses 0f the people may control tho
; rcins of power and intrust them to their
/ chosen servants, still the fountain OF au-
thority and of law is not in man but IN
God, the Supreme Lawgiyer and Judge.
ADJUSTMENT.
/ These prchminares being fulfilled,
Providence chose Leo XIII. to inaugu-
rate the adjustment of the Church rela-
tionship To the worlds new future. lie
was fitted for this task not only by all
the qualities that make tho great and
good man, but by an experience which
made him intimately acquainted with all
the details OF both Church and State, and
with the interlacings Of their complex
life. That ne might be wise guide into
the new future he was firmly moulded
and rooted in all that is good and wise
in the past. for progress Is not leap IN
a vacuum, but a steady advance along Il
solid road. As philosopher, a theolo-
ojan. and statesman of the first order,
hc studied both the life Of the world and
the ways OF Providence, and he faced
the future without fear.
DIFFICULTIES.
The difficulties OF the new adjustments
have been especially felt in France and
Spain. where many accepted the demo-
cratic future, while many with equal
honesty clung to the dynasties of the
past. Leo XIII. stilled their controversy
I by declaring clearly and bravely that the
Church is welded 10 no dynasty or form
of government that she fears none as
necessarily hostile to her that she trusts
the Providence of God in the govern
mental developments of the future.
This declaration was a sore blow both
To the lrreconcilables Of the old school
and to the aspirations of C@sarism. 1t
will stand forever as the Churchs Decla-
ration OF Independence.
vAssALAGE.
In Germany Caesar sought to subject
the Church 10 yassalage. Leo trusted III
God and III the millions OF German
Catholics who knew their popular rights
and used Them studily. The Iron Chan
cellor surrendered to the German Catho-
lie Centre. Then Leo XIII. showed
moderation in the hour of victory, and
restrained the German Catholics from
taking by assault that full justice and
full religious freedom which he knows
they are sure to win by the steady ad-
vance OF popular rights.
England did not assail the Church
openly as Germany did. She sought to
caiole the Pope and to use him as cat s
paw to keep Ireland submissive in the
chains of centuries from which the
spirit of our era is delivering her. But
leo. needless both of promises and OF
threats. sided with humanity and justice,
and in the face of the bitterest opposl-
ton appointed to the See Of Dublin
the patriot priest who was the choice of
the Irish bishops and the darling OF The
Irish people.
SOCIALISM.
A weighty solicitude on the heart Of
TeoXUI is the social difficulties OF our
day He knows that the greatest dan
Ger which the development OF demo
cratic institutions has met in our cen.
tury has sprung from the discomfort OF
the lower classes. When these are
srnarting under real or supposed wrongs
wily demagogues are always reaay 70
make them their countrys bane
and TO hurl them against all
authority. Both as the friend OF human
society," and as the chief shepherd OF the
flock of Christ Leo XIII. has always
manifested a paternal interest in the
welfare OF the laboring classes. With
pleadings and warnings he has striven to
cuard them against the aqtators who
lead them into Socialism, Anarchism,