The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-11-13

LIZ, w Gi4N IODA > ANO II
popular or individual. is the catholic He well
knows that truth is one that God cannot con-
tradict in the revelation OF scripture what ne
exhibits In the revelation Of science. Hence
a mans fearlessness OF such a science VIII be IN
proportion to the certainty of his conviction Oh
the truths of revelation"
After dwelling on the life OF Bishop Carroll
and the early church in America, Archbishop
Ryan continued addressing the laity:
"And on this great historic occasion you must
not be mere observers. but we trust you repre-
sentatives will speak out freely and fearlessly
in the lay congress which forms so interesting
feature in this centennial celebration. You
know how false is the charge of the enemies of
the church, that you are priest-ridden. The
clergy did not fear the light OF day, and II mis-
takes were made by catholic editors regarding
their acts il was not an evil, for IL clearly
showed the rightful independence Of the
catholic journalist. 1t is now time that an
active, educated laity should take an express
interest in the great questions OF tne day AFFECT
ing the church and society. | find that the best
educated amongst them, and notably the con-
verts, are sound on the great questions OF the
day and loyal to the church"
= He then paid a glowing tribute TO the work
done by the laity as publicists and editors dur
ing the century, and continuing, said;
"By the united action OF bishops, priests and
tury are truly astonishing, and what is particu-
lary remarkable is the fact that in the section
of the country where opposition TO the church
was most deep and violent the progress was
greatest. ] allude TO the New England states.
Within the last sixty years New England had but
one bishop, two priests and two public places
of worship. She has now one archbishop, SIX
bishops, g42 priests and 6l9 churches. with
private chapels, colleges schools and beneyo-
lent institutions. Those who do not desire the
IL. IL.
persecute her. The general statistics OF the
church during the century are:
"When Bishop Carroll was consecrated, in
$780, the entire population of the United States
was a little less than 100000. The catholic
population was estimated at about $4,000.
There is now a catholic population of 100000,
5000 priests, 10,5OO churches and chapels,
twenty.seven seminaries and $50 colleges and
academies and over 5000 parish schools. The
remarkable statistics quoted become marvel
Gus when we consider the sntagonlsm ot iie the
great majority of the people TO the catholic
church. AS in pagan times, in the his
tory Of this country, the catholic
chuTch's perfect organization was feared as
possibly dangerous 10 the state, and great
and numerous party, afraid to act IN open day,
entered into a secret society against handful
of their felow-citizens Few people realize
how much indirect benefit this cowardly oppo-
stion was TO the church during the brief, in
glorious existence Of the party prophetically
named at its birth, know nothing.
Thoughtful men of the nation, who opposed
this party. were driven into the ranks Of the
churchs defenders. They studied her history
and doctrines. Important conversions, and
the clearing away OF much Ignorance
and prejudice were the results. The civil war,
which so retarded the nation and all religious
institutions including our own, and split up
all non-catholic denominations into northern
and southern organizations, showed forth, as
have already said, the united power Of the
catholic church. The war also exhibited her
marvellous and well-regulated charity. Sisters
of northern birth and principles nursed the
southern soldiers, and sisters Of southern birth
and principles whose brothers were fighting in
the ranks of the Confederate army, were found
nursing their northern foes. Hence, since the war
there is a great change in popular sentiment in
relation to the catholic church, In addition to
this il must be remembered that catholics and
protestants now associate more frequently and
intimately and understand each other better.
Intelligent protestants are gradually disabused
of the old notion that the catholics eKalt the
blessed virgin to n position equal TO that OF the
son; that priests can forgive sins according to
their pleasure; that images may be adored
after the fashion OF the pagans; that
the bible should not be read, and
other absurd supposed doctrines and practices
of the church. Because of the enlightenment
and because OF the high character of American
converts in the past, il is possible that some of
the abest defenders OF the church in this COM
ing century will be men who are at present in
the ranks of her opponents.
"But fathers and brethren, whilst are
grateful for the blessings bestowed by Almighty
God on the young church Of these states dur
ing the past century, whilst we unite in the
glorious te deum OF gratitude, we must also
bear in mind that there are statistics Of losses
known only 10 the mind Of God; that
many have fallen away. To-day
we should add TO our te deum our acts of con-
triton. / believe that in the last century we
could have done more for the colored people of
the South and the Indian tribes. j am not un-
mindful of the zeal, with limited resources for
its exercise, Of the southern bishops, nor the
great selEsacrifice OF Indian missionaries who.
in the spirit Of primitive Christianity, gave
their lives for the noble, but most unjusuy
treated Indian tribes. But as / believe that
negro slavery and the unjust treatment of the
Indians are the two great blots upon the
American civilization, 30 | feel that IN the
church also the most reasonable cause for re-
gret in the past century is the fact that more
could be done for the same dependent classes.
Let us now in the name OF God, resolve TO
make reparation for those shortcomings OF the
past.
"A magnificent future is before the church
in this country IL we are only true TO her, TO
the country and to ourselves. She has demon
strated that she can live and move onward
without state influence; that the atmosphere OF
liberty is most congenial to her constitution
cordially American in our feelings and senti-
ments, and above ell, let each individual act
out in his personal life and character the
spirit of his catholic faith"
This afternoon there was a banquet, at which
all the visiting prelates were present: Adj
dresses were made by Archbishop Satolli, Car
dnal Gibbons, Cardinal Taschereau and Bishop
Monies d'Oca of Mexico. Letters were read
from Cardinal Manning of England and Arch
bishop Walsh OF Ireland Archbishop Ireland
of ST. Paul elected great enthusiasm in
responding to "Our Country"
The comforting Of the papal benediction
closed the celebration, 80 far as the centenary
of the hierarchy Is concerned. Tomorrow the
deliberations Of the congress OF the catholic
laymen begins in Concordia hall.
The catholic editors, attending the congress-
held a meeting tonight. The Rev. Father L.
w. Graham OF Kansas presided, with the Rev.
Father Pallen OF ST. Louis, secretary. They
decided to hold a convention OF editors at Gin
cInnat on the first Wednesday OF May, 1890. The
officers of this meeting were instructed 10 make
the necessary arrangements for the convention.
JEM SMITH DEFEATED.