The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-07-21

I, "a
ional and religious element Of our pop
ulation. These from the far West under
the leadership Of Gen. Kelly, are mostly
Trash or Irish Americans. There are.
hundreds Of Catholics among these poor
workmen-n doubt Of it. But there is
no priest to accompany them on their.
long and weary journey across the con-
tinent, nor even 60 among them when
they halt for rest or refreehment, to cheer
their dropping spirits, to show the sym
pathy OF the Church with them in their
privations and sorrows, to counsel them
against lawlessness. The class Of people
represented by these knights oflabor has
largely drifted away from the Church
and the ministers of religion have not as,
yet gone after them. They have no apos-
tie, sad to tell; and, sadder still they do
not seem to feel the need Of one. 1t St
Francis we're living in our time and coun-
try, we feel sure he would be found min
istering to the commonwealers, as the
most spiritually destitute portion OF
Christ's flock in America.
Think of the numbers-increasiDg year
by year We are told-in all our large
cities who never go to mass, who are as
far from religious influence as though
they were in darkest Africa; who live
and die unmindful Of God and eternity.
We are building countless costly
churches, which, IN the next century will
be empty or frequented only by the sex
that is devout. No church where there
is not a school will be needed then.
Much priestly energy is expended in ef-
forts to propagate superogatory devo-
tions when thousands upon thousands
need to be impressed with the necessity
of morning and night prayers, and with
the obligation to attend mass on Sun :.
days. Men are exhorted to be patriotic
who take no thought of their heavenly
country.
Total abstinence is preached to scores,
when untold numbers have long since
ceased to approach the life-giving Sacra-
ments. The time has come when preach
ing should not be restricted to churches
or priestly ministrations confined to reg
ular parishioners. Apostles, mon of God,
lovers of the lowly are needed for the
strayed sheep and the neglected lambs
far removed from the influence of par
ishes. These new Apostles need not be
canonists or cosmogoniste, only fearers OF
God and lovers of souls. 1t will not help
them to know the structure of the SON.
net, to be skilled in ecclesiastical habilli~
ments, or to be Very Reverend. We hear
much in the praise of men who are said
to be in touch with the time-who can
feel the public pulse; but one must be
poor, and love the poor, to feel the great,
throbbing heart of humanity.
How, it has been asked, did st. Francis
influence the masses so wonderfully? BY
preaching to them the life of the spirit,
not by teaching them doctrines and pre-
cepts of men. As in the days of our
Blessed Lord, there is now much "wash-
ing of pots and cups" The Command
ments of Almighty God are lost sight of
to hold the traditions of men. Trade
disputes and race struggles and political.
strifes are things of day, like fevers and
agitators, they pass away and are forgot
ten. "The life of the spirit remains and
is the one thing in the world that has an
infinite value" Oh, for st. Francis!