The Irish standard., 1894-01-06
N AND AROUND I II; I CITY 9. ~
TuE FOLLY OF 1RREL1a1 N.

IN AND AkUUND# 4 I - - - e
THE FOLLY OF 1RREL1a1 N. 4
n claary's Lecture at Labor Tenn
nile Last Sunday Evening.
r.oet Sunday evening, the last evening
n the year. Father J. M. Cleary cd
d,aaaed large and appreciative audi
: anca 1t Labor Temple on the "Folly Of
7nbelief" It was considered by many
- have been the best address yet de
Ivared by the eloquent divine. The fol-
having brief synopsis OF the discourse
o;vsa but q faint idea Of the logical force
.. the arguments p esented:
1.-THE sin of unbeli is too often re-
o.rded as trivial matter. Men make
l;oht of the rejection or disregard on he
mart Of many of the most important aud
vital truths that underlie our Christian
civilization. The minds Of men haye
heen ,dsluded; with the attractive state
noart. that has almost become an aphorism
among US, that creeds are but Of trlfiing
importance il human conduct be only
directed to the best interests Ut the in-
a;yidual and society. A mans faith or
nnbeIief, We hear repeated, concerns us
but little, If only his conduct be regu.
lated according to principles of right, OF
truth and of justice.
.Men WIN have deceived many by this
empty sophistry, that conveys pleasing
sound to human ears, distracted by the
diecord of warning religious opinions,
seem to have grown utterly unmindful
Of the fact that principles must sprecede
conduct, that convictions are the natural
offspri, OF creeds and that human &C.
tons find their motives in the religious
beliefs of.reasoning men.
"Unbelief for ages has, without sue
cess, sought to convince the world that
the scored truths OF religion we're the
enemies OF liberty of thought and de-
naanded the sacrifice Of mans reason.
Religion does not ask the sacrifice OF
mans reason.
"Irreligion has been before the world
more or less of it, in every age, assuming
to give wing to human thought. defying
reason and adoring passion, and what
benefit has it conferred upon mankind?
Has it promoted virtue, increased NOR
atty, diminished crime, alteviated want,
lessened human misery, or in any way
earned the lasting gratitude of men? 1t
has not given to the world one Sister OF
Charity, one asylum for the shelter OF
outcast humanity. We're we to accept
without question the vainglorious as.
sertions of infdels, the leaders OF intidel
thought, these advocates of negation
whose memory they revere with craven,
oriental, superstitious awe--were the
great benefactors of humanity. The
names of their ideal heroes. whom they
single out for the reverence of mankind,
are names of no special distinction in the
annals OF human advancement. Yet
these heroes OF theirs represent religion
at it's best. They represent fidelity,
gifted with all the advantages of social
position, education, wealth and Guilt
waited talent. If infdelity thus at it's
best is 80 unfruitful, it mast be sad in
fiction at it's worst. What encourage
ment can it offer to human hopes when
hidden in misfortune and surcou uded by
every disadvantage to which human
misery falls heir.
"Infidelity las never wiped away tear
It brings no JOY to the living, no hope to
the dying, no consolation to the unfor-
tunate, no contentment to the poor, no
reward to virtue, no punishment to vice.
Under pretense of liberty it denounces
prudent restraint, under pretense OF
EQUALITY 1T tears down the barriers which
Justice and right had erected. 1t has no
civilizing influences, it cannot anchor
ate the social condition of man; 1t con-
tains no elements of progress. At best
it can say: Let US eat and drink and be
merry. for tomorrow we de-"
Ladies Aid Society.
The second of the series of socials by
the Ladies' Aid Society of st. Anthony
of Padua parish, for the benefit of the
Door, will be given at the home Of Mr..
and Mrs, John T. MCGOWAN, 826 Main
street northeast, next Thursday evening.
A fine musical program has been pre-
pared for the occasion, and there will be
refreshments, cards aud other attractions.
Every one ie invited to come and spend
a pleasant evening. Following is the
program complete: