The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-09-14
MANS MISSION FROM GOD
Cardinal Gibbons Discourse
Before the Parliament
Of Religions.
CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CRURCH.
That Religion Alone is World
Wide, Embracing All Nations
and Tongues.
CLAIMS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

CHICAGO. Sept. IA, 1s93-An audience
that filled Columbus Hail to oyer1owing
welcomed the opening of the fourth
days proceedings of the Worlds Parlia-
ment of Religion. 1t was striking COLI
lection of men of eminence that faced
The audience from the platform. Tue
Rev. Edward Everett Hale sat with
Prince Serge Wolkensy of Russia. julia
Ward Howe with II. Toki of India, the
Rev. Joseph Cook with Prof. Jean
Jean Reyille of Paris. the Rev. DR.. Lyman
Abbott with Rt. Rev. Reuehi Shibata Of
Calcutta. Interest centered largely upon
the paper prepared by His Eminence.
Cal diDal Gibbons, upon the Needs OF
Humanity Supplied by the Catholic Re-
ligion." 1t had been expected that the
Cardinal would present the paper in per-
son, but owing to his i'll health it was
read by Bishop Keane tf the Catholic
University at Washington. AS became
its author 1t was scholarly production,
couched in the mild, non-combative style
characteristic OF the Prince of the Ameri-
can Church, aud while il was attentively
listened to, It's salient points were repeat
edly interrupted by applause.
Rev. DR.. Lyman Abbott took for his
subject Religion Essentially Character
lstic of Humanity" while the paper OF
Julia Ward Howe dealt with religion as
the essential expression Of relations be-
I'M
cerning the origin of Shinteism was told
the audience by Rev. Takayosni Matsu-
hama Of Japan.
The Congresses in the other halls were
well attended by members of the various
denominations under whose auspices
they were held. These were the United
Brethren, the Advent Christians,
Congregational alists, Universalists, Dis
ciples of Christ and the Church of the
New Jerusalem. The presentation Of the
teDets of The Reformed Episcopal Church
took place this afternoon in the Hall OF
Washington, large audience being
present.
The following are the main points OF
Cardinal Gibbons discourse. as read by
BlSnop heane:
THE DISCOURSE.
1--WE live aud move and have our being
10 the midst of civilization which is
the legitimate offspring of the Catholic
religion. The blessings resulting from
nur Christian civilization are poured out
so regularly aud SO abundantly on the
intellectual, moral and social world. like
the sunlight and air OF heaven. and the
fruits of the earth, that they have ceased
to excite any surprise except TO those who
visit lands where the religion of Christ Is
little known. Iu order to realize ade-
uuately our favored situation we should
transport ourselves in spirit to ante
Christian times and contrast the con6i-
ton of the Pagan world with our own.
THE AGE OF IDoLATRY.
"Before the advent of Christ the whole
world with the exception of the secluded
Roman Province of Palestine, was buried
in ldolatry. Every striking object In
nature had its tuteary divinities, Men
worshipped the sun and moon and stars
of heaven. They worshlpped their very
passions they worshiDped everything
except God, to whom alone divine homage
is due. In the words of the Apostle OF
the Gentiles. They changed the glory OF
the incorruptible God into the likeness of
the corruptible man, and of birds and
beasts and creeping things. They
worshipped and served the creature
rather than the Creator, VINO is~biessed
forever
the prophets of Israel had sighed and
prayed, and toward which even the
Pagan sages had stretched forth their
hands with eager longing, arose and
shone unto them that sat in darkness
and the shadow of DEATH Tue truth
concerning our Creator, which had hiLh-
erto been hidden in Judea. th at there Ii
I>a fr,,n ha nil 1o
itolatry. WAS now proclaimed, aud in far
gre ater elearuess md fuliness. unto the
VIII ole world. Jesus Christ taught all
| m ankind to know the one, true God. q
God existing from eternity to etel nifty, q
God who created all things by his power,
who governs all things by His wisdom.
and whose superintendiug Providence
watches over the affairs of nations as well
as of men, without whom not even bird
falls to the ground He proclaimed q
God Infinitely holy. just and mercifnl.
This idea of the Deity so consonant ia
our rational conceptions, was in striking
contrast with the low and sensual notions
which the Pagan world had formed OF its
divinities.
THE RELIGION OF CHRIST.
1.-The religion OF Christ imparts to us
not only sublime conception Of God
but also rational idea OF man and his
relations to his Creator. Before the com
ing of Christ, man was riddle and q
mystery to himself. He knew not whence
he came nor whittier he was going. He
was grouping in the dark. All he knew
| for certain was that he was passing
| through brief phase of existence. The
| past aud the future were enveloped in a
| mist which the light OF philosophy was
unable to penetrate. Our Radeemer has
| dispelled the cloud and enlightened ua
regarding our origin aud destiny and the
means of attaining 1t. He has rescued
men from the friRhtful labyrinth OF error
| in which Paganism had involved him.
"The Gospel of Christ, as propounded
| by the Catholic Church, has brought not
| only light to the intellect. but comfort
also to the heart. 1t has given US that
| peace of God which surpasseth all under
| standing the peace which springs from
the conscious possession OF truth. 1t ha
taught us how to enjoy that triple peace
| winch constitutes true happiness as fal
az it is attainable IN this life-peacs with
| God by the observance of His Command
| ments, peace with our neighbor by ths
exercise of charity and justice toward
| him. and peace with ourselves by repress
| ing our inordinate aDpetites aud keeDi ne
our passions subject Co the law of reason
4 aud our reason illumined and controlled
| by the law Of God.
/ uapI n wIDY roeAfopoy