The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-11-30

fort him who has not. Look upon your
blessed estate Look into your com.
Portable homes Look down into the
rich earth Look up into the blue sky
And let your hearts bound heavenward
in gratitude unto God. ooh, give
thanks unto the Lord. for he Is God, for
His mercy endureth forever"
Tho Constitutions Foundation.
The services at the cathedral yester-
day were OF an exceptionally ornate
character, and attracted an immense
audience.
AT solemn high mass Rev. Father
Doyle deacon, and Rev. Father Cote
sub-deacon. Tho fact that the Rev.
Bishop Montgomery was to preach was
sufficient in itself to attract large con.
gregation, but the excellent music, az an
added attraction, served to fill the audi
forum TO its utmost capacity.
in adverting to Thanksgiving day,
Bishop Montgomery said the lesson to
be learned from its observance was OF
instruction to all classes OF people. 1.-THE
Catholic" he remarked, "tries to thank
God every day for the many blessings
received, but the fact that one day
in tho year should BIZ set apart
by the president OF the republic
and by the several governors
of the states. when the nation at large
was asked to make public acknowledge
ment OF these blessings, involved q
principle that must be year to every
citizen, no matter what might be the
distinctive character OF his religious be-
lief. That principle was the one upon
which this government was founded
and under which it had grown to its
present proud pre.eminence, viz, the
providence OF an all wise. overriding
personal God. The government is com
mitted to that acknowledgment, and 90
long as the public sentiment is that OF
reverence for God and religion, no presi-
dent will feel warranted in discontinue
ing this day of national thanksgiving.
Therefore is it fitting that every
Christian. no matter OF what denomina-
ton, should rejoice at thie public and
Off csl manifes tation OF religious belief
in Gods providence and should en-
CO urage 1t.
This country was discovered by
Christian men, 1t was colonized
BY Christians and its whole
colonial history proclaimed loudly. the
er among the Catholics Of Mary land, the
o! Pennsylvania or the Puritans of New
England its history was Christian. When
our revolutionary forefathers determined
to declare for the right OF aslf-govero-
ment this spirit OF religion pervadei
their every act. That glorious state
paper, the Declaration OF Independence,
displays trust in the providence OF God
not OF an unknown God, not in a
power or force or indeinable something
OF certain school OF philosophers, but
OF personal. individual. oil wise and
all God Father, who presides over the
destinies OF men and OF nations"
The bishop proceeded to trace the his.
tory OF the nation, to illustrate the fact
that at all times reliance on God had
been made BY those having the dssti-
MES OF the country in charge. Qloting
from the inaugural and farewell ad-
dresses of George Washington, he said:
"Of all the dispositions and hab.
its that add to political prosp.
perity. religion and morality are
indispensable supports. In vain
would that man claim the tribute OF
patriotism who should labor to subvert
these great pillars Of human happiness,
those foremost proofs OF the duties Of
men and of citizens"
II say" continued the reverend gem
tleman. that when such a confession 40
this 10 made by one who is competent to
instruct US that the most essential thing
in this whole land Is religion. it is the
basis not only OF society in general, but
it 10 the basis Of this republic In partic.
ular. 1 say, therefore, that it would be
wisdom on the part of the government,
II would be good policy, good politics
to encourage religion by every legitimate
means. Not on strict denominational
lines. but In supporting every denomina.
ton, Catholic and non-Catholic, show
ing fGvors as such to none, but equal
encouragement to all. do not ask the
teach religion. but think 1t common
eense to encourage the private enter
prise OF anybody engaged in teaching il.
Il say, too, religion should not be
taxed, and ii there is any truth in
Washington's words, do not know
upon what principle 1t is done. Here l
speak again, for no form OF faith, as
such l am placing myself in this posi-
ton OF government and trying to find
means OF reading the essential element
OF auccess. speak for the Catholic and
mont Catholic, for Jew and for every
form Of religion that teaches the Ten
Commandments, that moral law, the
principles which form men q condolences.
"We should return thanks, too, to-
day, that the president and the gov
ernor recognize these things 30 essential
to faith. May the divisions and the
petty jealousies and bickerings OF
Christian believers cease. for it will be
by those that this official public recog-
milton of God by the government will
cease. II it ever should cease. We shall
have only to thank ourselves for it.
May there never 90 out from Catholic
pulpit one word not dictated by Chris
tian charity, and the gentleness of
Christ Himself. and thus shall we
nourish that spirit Of religion and
charity which are the basis OF our con-
stitution."
Y. w. q. a. services.