Evening journal., 1890-04-14
CARDINAL GIBBONS.
a Large Audience IN the Opera House
Listens to His Lecture.

a Large Audience IN the Opera House
Listens to His Lecture.
James Cardinal Gibbons delivered
lecture before 1,000 persons in the Opera
House Yesterday afternoon. At $40
o'clock a procession of Catholic societies
formed at the residence of Bishop Curtis,
who was the host of the archbishop Of
Baltimore. The societies were the
Knights of st. Lawrence, who acted as
the guard of honor; Ancient Order of
Hibernians, St Mary's 7. A. B. Society,
st. Pauls Beneficial Association and
Bronson Library.
The procession marched to the Opera
House and the distinguished guests local
clergymen and Knights of st. Lawrence
were seated upon the stage.
Among those on the stage were Arch
bishop Ryan of Philadelphia, Cardinal
Gibbons of Baltimore, Bishop Curtis of
Wilmington, Father Timmons of Ches-
ter, Revs. William j. Birmingham, M.
X. Fallon, George E. Kelley, George ).
Bradford, d. J.. Flynn, Dollard, Farley,
Donaghy and Brady, Hon. George H.
Bates, Levi @. Bird, Esq, @ B. Lore,
ESQ H. II. Ward, Esq, Brother Abra-
ham of LaSalle College, Philadelphia.
Bishop Alfred A. Curtis introduced
Cardinal Gibbons, and paid him high
tribute for his learning, piety and zeal,
and referred to the veneration in which
he is held by the people throughout the
country.
Cardinal Gibbons said in part; after
thanking Bishop Curtis for his hearty
welcome Let u transport ourselves in
spirit back to the dawn of Christianity and
look at one of the vices of Rome. That
city had 8, 900, 900 people and was inhuen-
tial and rich. In ths corner of the
streets are inches in which are idols.
They have given themselves UP to idola-
try and worship everything but
God. What is true of Rome is not true
of all the world. The empire of Rome
was mistress of the civilized world This
was the condition Of the world when our
| Savior came as beam of light. He
| gathered around him twelve men who
were not learned or rich. He calls upon
| them to remove idolatry from
the earth, and to put in its
place the worship Of the true God; to re-
move other vices and to plant there vir-
tues. These men may be compared to
twelve little streams, which became
| great rivers. When we compare the in
significant means to the colossal results
we think of that saying BY the simple
| shall He confound them. Their only
weapon was the gospel their onlysrefuge
the cross. Their thoughts reached to the
end Of the earth. The pious audacity OF
a few illiterate men is not so surprising
as the result of their labors. In less than
fifty years we find the gospel throughout
the entire world. There is a striking
contrast between the peaceful victory OF
| the Gospel and the bloody deeds of war.
"Scan the causes in the propagation OF
| Christianity. First, The sublime and
beautiful teachings of the Christian re.
iigion. 1t spoke to the people of God Civ
ing them a rational idea, God infinitely
good, holy and wise. 1t gave man q
rational idea of himself Man knew not
whence he came or whittier he went. II
taught him his origin and destiny; II
taught man to have peace with his God
by keeping peace with his neighbor It
was not for small circle, but spoke tC
the rich and poor; to the master and
the slave. The Christian religion ther
as now held out to all its benefits.
Second. The beautiful example Of
primitive Christians. They were poor il
life, vet, would face death for their con-
victions 1t may be asked why thu
Gospel does not have the same success
now as it had then. 1t may be becaus
we do not preach it with the earnestnes
of those old disciples. But let US bewar
that we do not lose what we have. 1t i
harder to re-convert former Christian
city. than to convert heather city.
"Let us therefore cherish our Chris
tian faith and let us summarize GU
blessings It has given us clear con
ception Of God; has released us from
idolatry; has removed slavery; ha
elevated labor; has done great things fo
woman; she is no longer the slave, bu
the peer of the husband.
"We should cherish these blessings
Everyone should be factor in the pro
motion Of Christianity and in helping T.
keep the faith of our fathers TIL
applause was long continued at his close
and Bishop Curtis thanked the audienc
for its attention.