The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-09-08
Catholic Missionary Work.
THEIR GREAT SUCCESS.


lecture on "The Missionary Field in
tho Nineteenth Century" which has
deservedly attracted considerable at
tention throughout Australia His
Eminence's address was reply to
an unworthy and lying taunt utter
ed by certain Rev Mr.. Brown in
the Wesleyan Centenary Hall, Sgd
ney, to the effect that the Catholic
missions throughout the world were
a failure. 1t fell to Cardinal Moran
to traverse that malicious statement
and we need hardly remind our
readers that the cause Of truth in
this matter could not have had
reader or better equipped champion
Out OF evil cometh good, and Mr..
Browns ignorant sheer proved the
occasion OF most valuable and
eloquent review of Catholic mission
airy work the world over during the
century tn at is now nearing its close
Strong in the justice Of his case,
Cardinal Moran took no undue ad-
vantage of his position in the con-
troversy. The facts and figures
given were taken from official
sources, and the accuracy Of the
statements quoted was supported
entirely by the testimony of non
Catholic witnesses. His Eminence
began the review of Catholic mis-
sionary work in the peninsula Of
Korea, lately so much en- evidence.
KOREA, OR THE "HERMIT NATION"
as it is called, has hitherto been the
most exclusive OF Eastern nations.
Not only could not religious in
auences pierce into this pagan land,
but till quite recent date any com
MERGE with other nations was un-
known. Yet exactly a hundred
years ago Chinese Catholic mis-
sionary in disguise penetrated into
the peninsula, and celebrated the
first Mass in the "Hermit Nation"
on Easter Sunday, 1895. Six years
later this devoted priest with 300 of
his converts were cruelty martyred
by the natives. Other missionaries
replaced him only to suffer in turn
the same fate, until in 1866, thanks
to the marvellous zeal of the Catho-
lie priests, there were 25,0O0 Chris
tians in Korea. In that year 10000
Of them were mastered with every
form of torture that Eastern inge-
nuity could devise. Yet. in May of
last year the number of Catholics in
the peninsula was 20,S40, with 26
priests and SO native ecclesiastical
students. Further, this is the testi-
mony to the influence Of the Catho-
lie missions OF Protestant minister
who visited Japan and Korea in
1894. sit is not surprising" writes
this witness, "that the heroic mis-
sionaries of the Roman Church win
the plaudits of onlookers, who are
not impressed by the pleasant home
life with wife and children, and
abundant comforts of the Protestant
missionary.
HOWEVER OUT OF SYMPATHY
with the dogmas of the Roman
Church, their poverty, endurance,
patience, and suffering excite the
admiration of us all. Every thought
full missionary is forced to ask him
self whether the Reformation did
not go too far-whether the priestly,
monastc, militant types are not,
after all, more in accord with the
missionary spirit"
From Korea, the Cardinal passed
to Japan-an even more glorious and
fruitful missionary field. Through the
special care of st. Francis Xavier,
in Japan, even towards the close OF
the sixteenth century, there were
about two million Catholics. No
country, with the possible exception
of China, has displayed more dew
ilish ingenuity in the torture and
persecution OF Christians than
Japan, and consequently the ad-