The sun., 1891-06-09

that will last for ever Exclude the idea oi
futurity. and the very notion OF what is good
and right would . srish; nay. the whole sys.
tom Of the universe would become dark and
unfsthomable mystery. The great truth which
we learn from nature herself 10 also the grand
Christian dogma on which religion rests as
en- its base-,hat whom We have done With this
present life then we shally really begin to
live. God has not created Us for the perish
able and trnnsitory things OF earth. but Tor
things heavenly and everlasting. He has
given us this world as place OF exile. and not
as our true country. Money. and the other
things which mon call good and deslrable-we
may have them In abundance. or We NAV want
them altogether. rs far as eternal happiness
ia concerned, II is no matter; the only thing
that is Important Is to use them Alright. Jesus
Christ. when He redeemed US with plentiful re-
dsmption. took not away the pains and SORROWS
which In such large proportion make up tho
texture OF our fnortallife; He transformed them
into motives OF virtue ana occasions OF merit:
and no man can hope for eternal reward unless
he follow in the blood. stained footprints OF his
Saviour Lf,re suffer ,cifh Him. re shall also
reign ,ciih Him. His labors and His sufierings.
accepted by His own FREQ will. have marvel-
lously sweetened all suffering and all labor
And not only By His example. but BY His grace
and by tho homo OF everlasting recompense. He
hos made pain and grief moro easy to endnre; !;
for that ,chich is at present nonenfarp and hoht
of or, fribmiation, ,rorkefh for us dbope measure
exceedingly an ete,nat meioht Of olorv.t
Therefore those whom fortune favors are
warned thst freedom from sorrow. and abun-
dnnce Of earthly riches. are no guarantee
OF tho beatitude that shall never end.
but rather tho contrary;t that the rich
should tremble at tho threateninRs OF
Jesus Chrlst-threateninR SO strange 10 tho
mouth OF Our Iord:s and that q most strict
account must be given 10 the surrems Judge
for all tha. We possess. Tho chiefest ana most
excellent rule for the right use Of money 10
ono which the heather philosophers Indicated.
but which the Church has traced out clearly
and ha. not only mads known to mons minds
but has impressed upon their lives. 1t rests
on tho principle that It Is one thing to have
right TO the possession OF money. and 1rother
TO have a right to use money as ono plesses.
Private ownership. as We have seen. Is tho
NATURAL right Of man: and to exercise
that right, especially as members OF
society. Ia not only lawful. but abso-
lutely necessary. II is la,efut says St
Thomas OF Aanin. for man to hold private
property: aud il Is also necessary for the carry
ing on Of human liJe.u but II tho question be
asked. How must ones possessions be used7
word OF tho same holy doctor: Nan should
not consider his ouhcard possessions as his o,rn.
L,it as common TO all. so as to share them With
out difficulty ,chen others are in need. Whence
the apostle saith. Command the rich Of this
,rorld to oire trih ease. TO COM
snunicdtr.F True. no one is commanded
20 distribute to others that which 10 required
for his own necessities and those OF his house
hold: nor even to give away what Is reasonably
required 10 keep up becomingly his condition
In life: for no one ought TO lire unbecon,inov.s
But whom necessity has been supplied. and
ones position fairly considered. It fs a duty to
give to tho INDECENT out Of that which Ia over.
That ,nhich ren,diaeth. 0ire ahnatf 1t Is duty.
not OF justice texcept in oxtrome casssl but
Of Christian charity-a duty which 10 not en-
forced BY human law. But tho lava and iudR-
ments Of men must give place to the laws and
Judgments OF Christ the true God. who In
many ways urges ON His followers the practice
OF almsetving-Nis more blessed to oire than 10
receire:tt and who will count a kindness done or
refused to the Door as done or refused TO Him
self-ds long as you did il to ona Of Mv least
brethren, you did il TO MeH Thus to sum up
what has been said: Whoever has received
from the divine bounty largo share Of bless
inGs. whether they be external and corporeal
or gifts Of the mind. has received them for the
purpose OF using them iortho perfactinR OF his
own nature. and. at the same time. that he may
employ them. as the minister OF Gods provi-
dence for the benefit OF others. He that hath
talent. says st. Gregory the Great. let him see
that he hide it not: he hat hath abundance. let
him arouse himself to MERCY and generosity he
that hath art and SKILL let min, do his bestto share
theuse and the utility thereof ,cith his nei0hbor.Ha
As for those who do not possess tho gifts OF
fortune. they are taught by tho Church that
in Gods eight poverty Is no disgrace. and that
there Is nothing to DO ashamed OF In seeking
ones bread By labor. This Is strengthened by
what we sac in Christ Himself. Who 1htreos
lie ,pas rich. for our sakes became DOor:Ts and
Who, being tho Son Of God. and God Hi mseli
chose to seem and to be considered the son
OF q carpenter-nay. did not disdaln to spend
q great part OF His lie asa CARPENTER
Himself. Is not this the carpenter. tie Son Of Ma.
rvr-*' From the contem mplntion Of this Divine
example 1t Is easy to understand that tho true
dignity and excellence Of man lies in his moral
qualities, that 10. 10 virtue: that virtue is tho
common inheritance OF all equally within tho
reach Of high and low. rich and Door: and that
virtue and virtue alone. wherever found. will
be followed with rewards Of everlasting hap
piness. Nay. God Himself seems TO incline
more to those who suffer evil: for Jesus Christ
calls the poor blessedttt He lovingly invites
those In labor and grief 10 como 20 Him
for solace:.tt and He displays the tender.
est charity TO tho lowly md the
oppressed. These reflections cannot fail
to keep down tho pride OF those
who are we'll of. and 10 cheer the spirit OF the
afflicted; to incline ths former to generosity
and the latter to tranquil resignation. Thus
the separation which pride would make tcnds
to disappear. nor will 1t be difficult 10 make
rich and poor Join hands In friendly concord.
But. II Christian precepts prevail. ths two
classes will not only be united In the bonds OF
but also In those OF brotherly love.
For they will understand and feel that NIL men
nre tho children OF tho common Father.
that Is. Of God; that all ha,e tho snme
last end. which Ia God Himself who alone
con make either men or angels abso-
lutey and perfectly happy: that all and
each are redeemed by Jesus Christ and raised
to tho dignity of children OF God. and are thus
united In brotherly ties. both with each other
and with Jesus Christ the first born among
many brethren: that the blessings OF nature
and the gifts Of grace belong In common to the