The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-12-24

Catholic services were held IN the
prison chapelSunday. In the absence
of the regular chaplain, Rev. Father
Kassaine conducted the services. The
hymn "We're Marching On" sung by
the congregation, opened services. The
scriptural lesson was taken from l.
Cor, V. Is. The choir then sang the
anthem "Sweet Peace, The Gift of
Gods Love-" The gospel for the day,
the fourth Sunday OF Advent, was taken
from Luke III. 1-6. After invocation
and the congregation singing the hymn
"Ring the Bells of Heaven" Father
Kassaine discoursed on "Charity," say
ing in part:
Charity is the tie that binds man to
man and earth to heaven. 1t is the
highest human virtue, higher even
than JUSTICE for justice is the giving
to each man his due, what belongs to
him and what he is entitled to, but
charity gives without expecting re-
turn and is nobler and more God-like
than Justice. The highest expression
of charity is to obey the command of
Christ to love our enemies. In the early
DAYS of the Church this sublime doc
trine of Christianity sounded extraor-
dinarily strange to the pagan states of
Greece and Rome. They could not un-
derstand or appreciate the fullness of
it's charity and the depth of love it
breathed for mankind, and while they
, prosecuted the Christians they could
not help admiring their virtues, their
faith and their courage to speak out
what conscience told them was right.
Charity does not merely consist in
almsgiving. In thought, word and &C.
ton it must be present, not for vain
glory, but to ennoble character and les
sen the misfortunes of others whose
lot has been cast in harder mould
than our own. A word of sympathy
to the unfortunate, encouragement to
the despairing or assistance to the
needy, small though our offering may
I be, are within the range of every per-
j. sons sphere, and as we perform our al
g loted share Of frightening where
e darkness before reigned, so we obey
= the will of God and do our duty by
e our fellow men. Charity needs not
J. wealth or position as its servants. 1t
q is not in giving much, but in giving
e freely, with the sympathy of the heart
70 and the ready hand of fellowship, of
IS Iiberality and of the broad spirit of
v humanity that is the corner stone OF
the Christian religion. View the faults
of others charitably, for the circum-
e. stances and temptations under which
A they were formed may have been toe
strong for them to resist. We should
=. point out errors kindly, persuasively
Y and in spirit of forgiveness, without
n the rancor of condemnation and the
cynicism of conceit. We can have nc
F influence for good if our example is
not the expression of our advice. For
B bearance with faults often arouses
shame in those who would scott at con
E demnation and threats.
By looking on the bright side Of
B things we take the charitable view
We should endeavor to find what il
:. good in our associates, encourage then
to improve their moral standard an(
assist them in their efforts tt form
- higher and nobler ideals of Gods pur
pose and divine commands. We al
'e' have opportunities daily presented TO
he aiding others to take a more Cheerful
d. view of life, its possibilities and it's re
ID wards if rightfully spent. AS we serv'
d. others we serve ourself, our future ant
our God and what cheerfulness we i'm
part to them, in that measure are WI
St, made happier, nobler and more Christ
,rs like.
DIV Father Kassaine closed by entreatinl
s sst the congregation to review the yea
be-. just drawing to. close, to study it
led mistakes and guard against repetition
We, in the year soon to- begin. Service
, - closed by the congregation singing
"Wonderful Words of Life