The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-09
A CATHOLIC REJO|NDER,
The Rev. Father Ferguson Re-
plies to Certain A. p. A.
Speakers.
He Does Not Hold Professionalism
Responsible for the Present
Agitation.

In Rev. Father Ferguson's sermon at St.
Patrick's Church, yesterday morning, con-
siderable attention was given to replying
to certain statements and sentim
enunciated by some of the recent speakers
at Metropolitan Temple. Father Fergu-
son indicated that he did not consider the
great body of Protestants responsible for
the utterances of those speakers, and there
fore devoted himself mainly to a discus
sion of their personal motives and incen-
tives in the widespread discussion now
going on. The fact that this discussion is
in progress is a matter which he indicated
could not be ignored by those who are &C
quainted with current events. All per-
sons, whether Catholic or Protestant, want
to know what is going on, and look to the
public journals for the news. Among
other things Father Ferguson said:
The crusade against Catholics inaugurated
some time ago by the A. P. A. still goes on.
New calumnies forged in the secret lodges of
this organization are formulated Sunday after
Sunday by preachers hired for the occasion. 1t
is not often that we find it necessary to notice
or refute the assertions of these men. Contro-
versy with such is out of the question. Their
force is in strong language rather than in
truth or Christianity. They are strangers to
the ethics OF religious discussion. They would
which they would attach themselves. So
cieties for the promotion of good citizenship
offer them opportunities which they not
slow to grasp. Their auditors in the Metro
politan Temple are told by the preachers that
Rome is opposed 10 cremation and that is held
to be cogent proof that Catholics want the
earth.
While these lecturers denounced sisters and
nuns, whose self-saerifcing lives are always
a standing reproach 10 such they, we felt
that their abuse could only rebound to the
fallen into the trick of praising them, and
against that we protest. That is the unkindest
cut OF all 1t is altogether too much; it con-
stitutes the last straw These preachers pose
as the defenders OF Professionalism and the
country in general Professionalism would be
in bad straits if these were its recognized
champions. Professionalism has repudiated
them long ago, and the country will follow
suit. Neither they nor the sects to which they
belong have ever contributed anything of
value to the controversial literature on sub
jects which divide the Catholic and Protestant
churches.
We admire the learning and erudition of
those Protestants who have measured swords
with like men of the Catholic church. But on
the shelves of no Protes tant library will be
found anything of worth as an argument COM
ing from them to which churchman could
point with pride. One of their latest importa-
tons, hailing from Stockton, feels aggrieved
because some Protestant churches in the City
refuse to open their doors to these speakers.
He knows well that the pulpits OF all enlight-
ened preachers, from the st. Lawrence to
the Oregon, are Theoretically sealed against
lecturers OF his ilk. Further, the best men in
Professionalism to-day in this country-men of
eminent ability and unquestioned orthodoxy,
such as Professor Elliott of Harvard, DR..
Lyman Abbott, Dr.. Henry NJ. Field, Washing
ton GLADDEN., and q host of others-have borne
willing testimony, by voice and pen, to the
falsity of the charges brought against Catho-
lies and to the immense influence for good of
their church in this country. They have re-
peatedly denounced in unmeasured terms the
attempts of fanatics to stir up religious discord
and set citizen against citizen.
Thackeray says somewhere in his works:
"What public, what statesman projecting a
coup, what King determined on an invasion of
his neighbor, what satirist, meditating an on
slaught on society or an individual can't give
pretext for his move?" These men arc not
wanting in pretexts for their moves. Catho-
lies, they say, are disloyal. The presence of
many even now in this church who took part
in that great struggle thirty years ago, the
presence, too, of widows and orphans whose
loved ones lie down in "the black belt of the
South" gives the lie to those unworthy calum-
niators who would impugn the Catholic SOL
dier's loyalty and try to make him appear an
enemy of the institutions for which he brayely
fought and nobly died.
Catholics have right to be proud of their
church in this land of liberty. Its missionaries
were its first pioneers. They gave names to its
lakes and rivers, explored its trackless forests,
and prepared the way for succeeding progress
and civilization. And in the revolutionary
epoch the armies of liberty were filled with
Catholics. Commodore Barry, a Catholic, laid
the foundation of the American navy and won
its first victories
Catholics were conservative and law-abiding,
but when civil war did come and the integrity
of the Union was threatened they were among
These facts are so patent to every student of
American history that their very repetition
becomes platitude, but no other course is
left u.s.