St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-19

toward them; my sense OF Justice ell
listed me in their service. l saw them
in slavery. Oh, that III this Christian
age, and this Christian land, the dire
word ever expressed reality! Can we
ever sufficiently repent that we reduced
our brother man to be chattel, and
bought and sold him for our own base
profit. America at last struck down his
shackles, but it lacks to this day the
courage to be logical, and in the path
way OF life it
Pushes Cruelty to One Side
the colored man as if he were an inferior
being, with whom contact were degra-
dation. We are as Small-minded and
as all-hearted toward fellowmen as
the Indian brahminS. In no civilized
country in South America or in Europe
can YOU find men socially branded as in
the United States for the simple acct
dent of shades of coloring on the face.
| rejoiced in my soul when slavery
ceased; will rejoice in my soul when
this social prejudice shall cease, and
meanwhile will work in the name of
humanity, religion and patriotism to
kill it out.
The objection may be made that, in
dedicating church for the special use
of the eolored people, am myself yield
ing to this prejudice which am con-
demning. There is truth in the objec-
ton. In principle there should be 10
special churches for the colored man or
for the white man. Both should kneel
before the same altar and sit upon the
seat. Separate churches are not to be
permanent institutions. For the time
being, in view of conditions which we
do not accept, but which we must con-
slider, separate churches are more
pleasant and more profitable for the
cOlored people. We have them for those
among you who desire them. But
meanwhile, be it we'll understood, every
Catholic church in the city of St. Paul
is open to you on equal terms with the
white man. Make your own choice.
The first pew in the cathedral may be
yours, as we'll as your white brothers,
and, as things are. for the sake of strong
protest against prejudice l would for
my part prefer to see it occupied by
cOlored man rather than by white
man.
Your own special church 1 dedicate
today. | offer it to all the colored peo-
pie of st. Paul. Whether you cali your
selves Catholics or not, we wish you to
be at home beneath its roof. Come aud
illusions. You will be as free to dis
agree if we do not convince as you are
to come. One thing is certain, our
hearts will go out to you in warmest
affection, and our hands will be always
ready to clasp yours in friendliest
grasp.
IWould lead you to love and serve
God. to love and obey the Savior, Christ
Jesus. He thirStS for your souls to save
them. l would prepare them for His
graces. In the faith and the practice Of
Christ's religion you will find peace of
heart, purity of living. the joys of in
creasing hope. You will find the prin
ciples Of your social elevation. Your
Christian religion, held to firmly and
daily acted upon, will reach on sur
rounding humanity and compel it to
award you love and justice. You will
build up for your immortal souls titles
to heavenly glory. We must none of
us forget that we are
Born to Live Forever,
and the question of questions for each
one of us is in what state are we to live
during eternity beyond the grave. We
are IN our present life shaping our
eternal life. Heaven and hell present
Ho mystery, Guoy dIo SluHplv coilSe-
quences. Faith in God, obedience to
God, purity of living put us in the di-
rectlon of God and of Gods kingdom.
Neglect of God, Indifference to His
word and His law, pride. sensuality,
put us away from God, and following
these we reach hell as surely as the av-
alanche moving down the Alpine slope
reaches the lowest pit in the valley.
would have you, my brethren, learn to
know God, and to serve Him in the in
terest of your soul's salvation.
Let me be very frank with you. ]
would have for all those reasons
the children of the Catholic church