The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1889-06-08
ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH.

ST. LAWRENCE UHURUH.
What Father Oorbett SAID in HIS Sermon
on Last Sunday.
The law of Christ is charity. Our
Savior lived and died out of charity.
Universal fraternity He frequently
preached. This sacred truth views men
as one family of a common Father.
The sceptre of Chrlst's kingdom upon
earth. charity constitutes the badge OF
His true followers. indeed the special
charity of the Catholic Church has ever
been her distinguishing mark.
In the primitive Christian ages, such
was the practical force Of brotherly
love that a society was formed in
which no distinction existed between
the rich and poor The treasures of the
rich were dispensed among the I'M
fortunate. The early Church OF Anti
ock collected aims for the poor. Saint
Denis, in the year 176, appointed seven
deacons for the distribution of aims.
Saint Lawrence left to the needy the
treasures of his church. Yea the gos-
pei spirit so penetrated the social BODY
that freemen became slaves to ransom
their fellow beings.
The Church cancelled cruel laws.
Infanticide, domestic discord. disgraced
womanhood, the reign of low passions
and slavery yielded to her regenerat1ng
force. Pagan philosophy regarded
slavery as essential for both the pros
perity and existence of the state. Wit
ness the change charity has made;
Christ and the Apostles prepared the
way in proclaiming the dignity of man.
Saint Chrysostom denounced slavery
among the Greeks, and Saint Ambrose,
among the Latins. Behold in history
the eloquent appeals Of Pope Zachary
IT, the Lombard Kings for the abolition
of slavery. Pope Gregory the Great,
was no less jealous. yoltaire honors
Alexander Ill. as the subverter of
slavery.
When America was discovered an
attempt was made to revive bondage.
Paul Ill. Immediately issued an apos-
tolic condemnation. Anterior to the
reformation Macauley attests slaves
were emancipated in England by
Catholic Priests, and to-day a Catholic
Cardinal is crying out against slavery.
Of ten did the Church purchase the
liberty of war prisoners by the sale Of
precious vessels. To the Christian
enthusiasm for the freedom of captives
we owe the origin of the orders Of
Saint John and Saint Peter, the former
of which Voltaire calls an heroic insti-
tuition.
Monasteries were built with provision
for inyalids. Pope Symmachns insti-
tuted a hospital in the sixth century.
Pope Pelagius H.. in the year $50,
founded one under his own roof. Saints
Gregory, Basil and Chrysostom opened
hospitals. At present Catholic insti-
buttons abound IN Europe.
What immense aims the Church dis
tributes! When Gregory, the Great,
assembled the papal throne, he dispensed
the church rents among the poor Of
Rome. John, Patriarch of Alexander,
rivalled Gregory in charity. Saint
Thomas, of Villanora, gave all his
patrimony to woman in need. The
world knows of Saint Vincent de Paul.
In Paris alone society of SAINT Vim
cent de Paul supports twenty thous~
and persons. Its members throughout
christendom may be regarded as the
bankers of the poor.
Wherever the Church goes, charity
follows. Spain is country where
Catholic charity shines with singular
luster. Scarcely town in Italy lacks
charitable institution. Ireland is not
exceptional. Catholic charity there at
home. is bearing abundant fruit.
During public calamities legions OF
heroes, Catholic laymen. priests and
nuns, appear on the scene. History
proves that Catholic charity forgets not
even its enemies.
Professionalism cannot present 80
grand record Of generous charity. At
It's dawn, Professionalism plundered and
DESTROYED those bene6cent institutions,
where the poor received aims from the
hands of the generous Monks. Legal
charity Professionalism instituted,a poor
substitute for Christian charity. The
disinterested charity of our sisterhoods
forced from a Protestant mother this
confession: "In truth, a religion which
inspires such noble acts must be the
true one"
AS children of that Church which
has ever inculcated the love of neigh
Dor after the love of God, we should
imbibe her spirit. Those more favored
with the goods of the Lord rebel
against the order of Providence, which
in the wealth of the world has made
ample provision for all, If they neglect
the wants of the poor. Tie sacred
ties of religion binds us to the poor.
What great blessing charity occasions.
Cbor;%x l;~htapo oorroxr ofop1c hu tho