Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1896-01-03
An Eloquent Tribute.

Prof. Lee Davis Lodge, of Columbian
University, Washington city, delivered a
remarkably entertaining lecture on Decem-
Der 21st on the work of Cathoicity in the
general civilization of the world. Among
other points of interest DR.. Lodge said:
at would be difficult: 10 over-estimate the
importance of the historic function per-
formed by the Catholic Church during the
Middle Ages.
"She unified the education of Europe
| The instruction oil youth was cast in molds
of her make. She was the conservator OF
the learning culture and civilization OF an
| tiquity. She was the ark in which were
preserved the forms of literature when all
| Europe was submerged beneath the surging
tide of harbarsm. She lifted her egis above
the poor, the weak and the helpless. She
| stood between the over-burdened taxpayer
and the extortons OF the emperors.
"She strove 10 transform the barbarian
hordes who had poured like an invading
flood over the sunny plains OF Gaul and
Italy into citizens of the commonwealth oil
God. She held up before the multitude
high ideals Of Christian lie. She sought TO
| fire the heart with noble ambitions, TO en-
rich the mind with the culture of past cen.
turtles and to lift the life TO plane of loitier
activity.
"Her history during this period is made
resplendant by the heroic deeds Of many
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 death struggle with the
forces OF barbarism. When disintegration
was everywhere else, the Catholic Church
was striving to integrate the thought, the
life and the culture Of Europe. More than
this, within the bosom OF that church itself,
the principles of free self government were
allowed very considerable play. From the
monks OF the chapter who elected their alb
bot, TO the college Of cardinals, who chose
their pope, free election characterized the
government of the church.
"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 civilization, however great
may be the Emergencies between our thee.
logical opinions and the opinions recog
nized 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,
but my studies have for years compelled me
to live in closest Intellectual comradeship
with many of the greatest minds that ever
adorned that organization. | have learned
to admire them, to reverence them, TO love
them. St Francois d'Assise, Ignatius 10y
ola, 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 all the centuries l refuse
utterly and absolutely to join in sweeping,
indiscriminate and ignorant denunciaton of
the Catholic church.
"lf the spirit OF Christ be not breathed
forth from the pages of Fenelon, Pascal, and
Malebranche, then have totally mistaken
my Masters thought. While, therefore, |
most strenuously object to very many art
Giles of Catholic theology, refuse to shut my
eyes TO the glories OF the Church's history,
and to the magnificent martyrdoms with
which her children have adorned the his
tory OF the race. l have, moreover, a pro
found admiration for the state craft which
has guided her history. Her leaders have
known how, in every age, to change her
line OF battle as the front of battle changed.
She always presents her face to the foe.
She has wonderful power of adjustment
to meet the exigencies OF the situation.
Profound wisdom has directed her entire
development. | can think of only one other
example OF political wisdom worthy TO be
compared to her, and that is the Senate of
Rome, which, for century after century, un.
der kings, republic, and empire, controlled
the destiny of the Roman state IN its ever
widening development"