The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-01

upon his duties, he discovered very much. It 10
well known, requiring guiding and chasten-
! ing hand. and his work has redounded in q
wonderful degree to the purity. growth. and
influence OF the Church and tho efficiency Of
It's priestly force. But there were como OF the
| priesthood who did not take kindly to the new
rule or to the restraint which the welfare OF the
Church required. 1t is one thing to be priest
and another thing to have priestly character.
Unfortunately. those who do not possess the
natural vocation are the last to acknowledge
It. II they discover the fact the attractions Of
a settled position, in charge Of q church and
congregation. with influential recognition.
mako them tenacious Of the temporal advan-
tages. although indisposed to conform to the
required discipline Of the priestly station.
| There are two classes OF this description Of
recusancy the political priest and tho social
priest The political priest is not content
| with the cure OF souls. He yearns for
the arena Of secular affairs. for temporal
as we'll as spiritual direction. to exercise
his influence in the Federal. State. and mu-
nicipal government The other. tho social
priest. has luxurious tastes. and Ia seduced by
tho nlurements which make life SO sensuously
| attractive to the man OF the world: he finds
private carriage. tho indulgenoes Of Del
monico's and other qualifications requisite
to his appetizlne necessities He loves his
sybaritic ease. and feels with deep re-
sentiment the hand Of discipline. These
| representative classes, as all know who
have cognizance Of the developments in con-
spicuous places in this great metropolis. eave
Archbishop CorriGan infinite trouble from the
beginning. A third class might be named.
that OF the priest learned in the law. who
knows 1t ALL and is ever seeking for
client priest to defend against the claims OF
superior authority. This is the pettifogging
priest, who does his share OF mischief. though
under subsection. These Worldly Priests have
been kept under control by the firm but pru-
dent rule Of Archbishop CorriRan without
open scandal. but with much rebellious. though
innoxious muttering.
The political priests wore not 30 open to the
curb. As representative OF this class DR..
McGlynn became a conspicuous rebel His
overt action was deliberately and defiantly
manifested in the famous municipal struggle
for tho control Of the government Of this city.
the memo BILE contest between Abram s.
Hewitt Henry George and Theodore Roose-
velt The contest was really between Hewitt.
representing every section Of the local Democ-
racy of this city. and George. who sought to
combine the laboring men as class into q
political party for the enormous spoils Of office.
which the opportunity to take possession Of
| the city Of New York might afford. McGlynn
had previously taken open ground az politi-
elan in favor OF the Republican candidate for
the Presidency. McGlynn's support Of George
was important. He was tho head Of ono Of the
largest churches Of the city. with numerous
and influential con eregation: and he was &C.
claimed for the great following and influence
which his priestly character enabled him to
bring under the lead and banner Of George for
municipal triumph, On this occasion Nc
Glynn openly declared on the stump that IL he
were not priest he would be q politician.
Unfortunately he did not accept the converse
alternative. II he had not been politician. he
might have been a priest McGlynn belongs
to the mastir masterful order Of men: he
seeks to rend those who will not submit to his
passionate will. He says OF himself that he is
cyclonic. and hurricane storm centre. There
has never been anything small about him
when valuing himself: success has led
him to go West for sufficiently gigantic par
| ;nI H. =
ment Of the spirit OF the divine exemplar of
priestly character. the meek and lowly Saviour
Of man. We all recall Dr. McGlynn's final
act In defyng an order confirmed by the
authorities at Rome: his Anti. Poverty Society:
his inaammatory speeches at tho Cooper In
stitute; his abuse OF the Pope. Archbishop
Corrigan. and the rest OF It. 1t appears that
through the Intervention OF the now admins
traitor. McGynn has been taken into high
favor. his course approved and adopted as q
precedent. and all priests are inferentially told
to go and do likewise II they wish to obtain tho
highest reward in priestly distinction at Rome.
It will not be claimed that McGlynn is to DO
maintained with exceptional license: that
what Is right in him would be wrong in
other priests. No: the precedent appears to
be established that Catholic priests may at
tend political meetings and advocate any po-
litical doctrine they may choose to approve.
MoGlynn may advocate the single tax doctrine.
and address public Assem- blages. when and
whore he thinks proper. on that or any other
subject Other priests advocating the cause
of good government or some equally moral
issue will. OF course. be heard on the stump
advocating whatever political faction or inter-
est may furnish them with the strongest IN
ducement At times We may find the Church
divided against itself: one or more priests
taking particular side at q ward meeting.
and others the opposite side.