The morning times., 1895-12-22

Prof. Lodge of the Columbian Universit,
delivered a remarkably entertaining lectur'
yesterday on the work OF Catholicity il
the general civilization OF the world.
Among other points of interest Dr. Lodg,
said:
..It would be difficult to over-cstimat.
the Importance of the historic function
performed by the Catholic Cnurch during
the Middle Ages.
She unified the education of Europe.
The Instruction of youth was cast in
| moIds OF her make. She was the con
servator OF the learning, culture and civ
ilization OF antiquity. She was the ark
| In which We're preserved the forms of
literature when all Europe was submerged
beneath the surging tide of harbarsm.
| She lifted her aegis above the poor, the
weak andsthe helpless. She stood between
the over-burdened taxpayer and the ex-
| tortiOns of the emperors.
STEMMED THE FLOOD.
'.She stroye to transform the barbarian
hordes who had poured like an invading
flood over the sunny plains of Gaul and
Italy into citizens of the commonwealth
OF God. She held up before the multitude
high ideals of Christian life. She sought
to fire the heart with noble ambitions,
u tuTlCn TIE iuluu VIII tlle oI
past centuries and to lit the life to a
plane of loftler activity.
Her history during this period is made
resplcndant by the heroic deeds of many a
sanity character. She threw the whole
weight OF her great influence on the side of
law and order and civilization, when these
were engaged in n death struggle with the
forces of barbarism. When disntegration
was everywhere else, the Catholic Church
driving IN N To b,. nerts ha
life and the culture of Europe. More than
this, within the bosom OF that oh urch ITSELF
the principles of free self.governmcnt were
allowed very considerable play. From the
monks of the chapter who elected their
abbot, TO the college of cardinals, who chose
their pope, free election characterized the
government of the church.
HER SPLENDID SERVICE.
Now when we look through long tracts
Of history and see what splendid service
this church has rendered to God. and to
humanity, and to ciyiliza ton however
great may he the Emergencies between our
theological opinions and the opinions recog-
niZcd by that church, We are bound to speak
the truth of history and award the need of
praise where honor is due.
Personally, as You well know, / hold to
views which are separated by the whole
diameter of thought from Catholic doctrine,
to live in closest intellectual comradeship
with many of the greatest minds that ever |
adorned that organization. | have learned |
10 admire them, TO reverence them, To love
them. st. Francois d 'Assise ICuatius, |
Loyola, st. Francois de Sales, Fenelon, !
Pascal, Malebranche and scores of other |
names that rise to my lips, seem to me to be |
among the grandest souls of a II the centuries |
refuse utterly and absolutely TO Join in
sweeping. mdiscriminate ana ignorant de-
hunciation of the Catholic church.
HER INSPIRED WRITER'S.
IF the spirit of Christ be not breathed
'orth from the pages OF FeDeion. Pascal,
aud Malebranche, then | have totally mis-
AIKEN my Masters thought. While. there
ore, ] most streDuously object to very
o shut my eyes to the glorics OF the Church.s
history. and TO the magnificent martyr
IONS with which her children have adorned
he history OF the race. have. moreover
profound admiration for the state-craft
which has guided her history. Her leaders
ave known how. in every age, to change
er line OF battle as the front of battle |
hanged. She always presents her face
o the Zoe She has a wonderful power of |
dJustmen to meet the eXigcnCieS or the |
tualion. Profound wisdom has directed
er entire development. can think of
My one other example of political wisdom |
Vorthy to be compared to her. and that is |
he Senate OF Rome. which, for century
rer century, under kings, republic, and
fnpire, controlled the destiny of the Roman |
late 10 Its ever widening development"