St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-04-01
FATHER CLEARY,s SERMON
1t Proves to Have Been of Great
Interest

Religion and Reason" was the
topic discussed by Father Clearly at
st. Charles church last evening.
He defined the intimate relation of
each to the other, and explained how
both were Gods best gifts to man.
The following is a short sketch of
his address:
THE grandest gift of God to man
IN the natural order is the gift of
reason. By this noble endowment
OF his Creator, man is distinguished
from the brute creation. Reason Is
the light and guide of the human
soul. But reason needs proper di-
rection and culture or it will become
clouded, blinded by error, and be-
come false guide to man. God has
provided, therefore, that man shall
have safe and reliable teachers who
will protect his reason from the de-
ceptlVe delusionS of error. Some
truths man knows by intuition.
Most of mans knowledge, however.
comes to him on the testimony of
others.
Inc irrational creation is directed
by instinct, which impels it wher-
ever it will. Man is controlled bv
reason, but by reason correctly in
formed. The knowledge of natures
laws comes to man as the result of
human experience, investigation
and consequent discovery. Science
is the product of mans zeal.
Religion, faith in supernatural
truths, comes to man as a generous
gift also from bounteous Creator.
Faith is a gift of God" Religion
is a beaconlight to human reason.
1t answers the questions which are
puzzling problems to science, and
enllghtens the human soul concern
ing things divine. Religion and rea-
son can never be in conflict with
each other, for both flow from the
bounteous hand of God. Religion
conveys correct knowledge of God,
science correct knowledge of Gods
works. False religion, religion of
which God is not the author. but
which has been invented by erring
man for his own selfish ends. will
unfailingly be the hostile foe of hui
man reason, for it is not blessing
from the hand of God, but a delusion
from the powers of darkness to lead
men aStray.
Human reason unframed or mis-
Informed will array itself in hostil-
ity to revealed religion, because Of the
misleading notions with which error
has clouded the mind. Ignorance is
the most dangerous enemy of re-
ligion, as ignorance is the most dead
ly foe of human reason. A cultured
mind, embellished with a treasure of
useful knowledge, will always be
open to religious convictions. An
uncultivated and unframed mind
will be controlled by prejudices rath-
er than unbiased convictions, and is
never as open to religious truth.
The truths Of the Christian religion
have readily been received by cult
ured nations, and the scholars of
the world have yielded a willing
homage to the teachings of the Cos
pei.
1t is quite the fashion with flip
pant unbelievers to try to convince
their fellow men that they enjoy a.
monopoly of intelligence and I'm
ciouded reason, and that faith in
religion is an evidence of mental
weakness. The unbeliever would
like to make the world believe that
his difficulties of faith are of a high
and intellectual order, and that be-
lieVing is an indication of mental
1nferiority. We must not permit the
world to be misled by these vain
Missionaries. Religion and reason
are designed by their divine Au-
thor to be mans greatest and most
lasting benefit. Man cannot believe
in religion without performing a
noble act of reason. Faith in the
teachings of God is the highest and
most commendable act of human
reason. The ignorant man cannot
we'll make an intelligent act of di-
vine faith. Religion and reason are
not enemies, but firm and devoted
friends. The intelligent man gives
to God "a reasonable SERVICE" and
the believing man honors his reason
by permitting it to be enlightened
by the light of supernatural truth.