The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-13
LoYoLA AND THE JEsUITs,
Lecture Delivered by Rev. Henry
Blanchard at Congress Square
Church,


Church.
The Rev. Henry Blanchard delivered the
eighth lecture in this winters historical
course on Tn esday evening in the vestry of
Congress Square church. The subject was
"Loyola and the Jesuits." There was a
large attendance. At the close of the lee
ture the audience manifested their approba-
ton by applause Mr.. Blanchard spoke:
i-Ot Loyola. as good and great mantle
chlef instrument of the Roman Catholic
cnurch In withstanding the advance Of Pro-
testantism.
lI-Of the causes of the rapid and wonder.
ful success of the Society of Jesus.
lll-Of the causes If its decline and abo-
ntlon, followed by its revival 10 1914.
lV-He asked the question: what shall
Americans say concerning its existence In
this Republic?"
Under the first head, Mr. blanchard spoke
of Loyola as the young soldier, wounded and
convalescinP, who, reading at first romaDces,
began to read the lives of saints; of his con-
version from the soldier of carnal warfare to
the soldier of spiritual warfare: of his life
In cave and a hospital; of his pilgrimage to
Palestine; of his leaving Spain .for France;
of his six companions and their plan to
work In the Holy Land; of their going to
Venice; of their offer to the Pope; of his
bull in 1910, which instituted the Society of
Jesus.
The conversion CT the gay, brave young
nobleman was an interesting psychological
study.
1t gave the Roman church mighty de-
fender in its time of great need. Luther
had won Germany. Professionalism was ad.
vancing with victorious steps. The old ord
ers of Domnicans aud Fra nciscans were
hated and could render no effective service.
Here was a man with devoted followers
whose characteristic was implicit obedi.
ence to the Pope. The new order was to be
utterly independent of all other authority.
What the Pope commanded was to be done !;
where he sent the brethren they were to
go.
The speaker dwelt at length upon the
good work of Loyola in Rome in helping the
unfortunate, and wished to be counted
among those who believe in the goodness
and greatness OF the founder of the Society
of Jesus.
Under the second head, the causes of the
rapid and wonderful growth of the Jesuits,
the speaker dwelt at length ON the prnci-
pies OF organization; on the early and noble
missionary spirit; on the development of
intellectual power among the leaders; ON the
use OF eXpediency.
Here was an army, and not mob. Noy-
tlates must pass two years in prayer and
meditation. then seventeen years in teach
Ing, then one year in meditative seclusiOn.
At last they were made ''coadjutors spilitu.
al" or protest." These last alone partici-
pated In government of the society. hey
We're thus the PICKED men out of picked
men. The whole order was divided into
PROVINCES ruled by provineials. The Gener-
al Convention elected the General. He was
supreme, autocratic. He ordered an army
always ready to obey.
Xavier. missionary to India and Japan,
was one OF the noblest of men. Ricci, mis-
sionary to China, labored 20 years before he
could see the Emperor. Missionary zeal, la
Dor, success, won the admiration of Europe.
he intellectual development secured by the
system OF the society gave leaders. teachers,
confessors, so distinguished, able, persua-
sive, that everywhere chairs of colleges were
given to Jesuits, and kings and mobiles
sought them for their confessors. Their
rule of expectancy commended them to the
multitude who wanted easy penance or ap-
probation of their own desires. Mr. Ban-
chard here explained how the Jesuits only
used the reasoning which fallible and
tempted human nature is always glad to
employ. The emo justifes the means, is the
cry OF many. Jesuits used the maxim
adroitly.
Their fall came from their success. Riches
came to them. They were diplomatists and
merchants often They were frequently
''men of .he world" Pere La Chaise, con-
fessor of Louis XIV, rode 10 coach drawn
by six horses. He was one of the fine gem
tlemen Of the day.
Their pride, their luxury, their opposition
to other ORDERS. their casuistry created i'm
placaDle enemies. Kings began to fear
them. Ihey would denatiOnalize peoples so
a. TO make them subservient to Rome In
l764 they were banished from France They
l773, the Pope was compelled, by the rage of
Catholic peoples, to disband the order, It
was reinstated in 1914.
To the question-"What shall Americans
say. concerning the existence of the Society
OF Jesus In this Republic?" the speakers
to exist. To Catholics, as weli Protes-
tants, he would appeal. There are noble
Jesuits. He could esteem men, but he hated
the system. Left to themselves, Jesuits
may wish, do wish to serve learning, relig-
Ion, liberty. But they must obey their Gen.
eral; He will issue orders from Rome when
he thinks the fit hour has come His society
stands for absolutism in government of state
and church. The Suciety of Jesus formed
by Loyola would make men slaves. The so
ciety OF Jesus of Nazareth would make men
free; The General says-"You must not
think for yourselves" The Christ says
why even OF yourselves, judge We not what
is right" Americans, coming from what
aver land they may, should see that it is the
Republic, and not the Roman church which
gives them freedom, education, prosperity.
They should be American patriots
Mr.. Blanchard closed by expressing his
faith Ia the reasonableness of American
Catholics who will cooperate with all Amer
leans one day in resistinS a monopoly in
church, as well as in state-in doing all they
can TO uplift America that she may uplift all
other nations Of the world.
The lecture occupied an hour and 10 min.
utes in delivery. The next in the course
Will be on John Calvin, and will be deliv-