The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-02-07

Civilization" His lecture was an eloquent
and scholarly exposition of the noble part
which the Catholic church has taken
through the centuries in developing and
influencing civilization, in art, literature
and the sciences, while maintaining its
prerogative over the spiritual guidance OF
its people. He is still quite young man,
but full of promise a graduate of the
Catholic University in Washington, d. c.,
4 who, through this masterful effort at the
threshold of his career, has won place in
the esteem and respect of the Catholic
people of San Francisco.
Much interest was manifested in Father
Organs lecture. He is already we'll
known as the editor of the Monitor, as
successor to the youthful though brilliant
Father Yorke. and those present last night
were carried away by the eloquence, force
and scholarship of his maiden address.
Very Rev. J. ]. Prendereast, vicar general
of the archdiocese of San Francisco, occu-
pied the chair, and Father Wyman,
superior of the Paulists in California, Rev.
J. Byrne, and other priests were on the
platform.
The speaker in his opening words said
never before were such rapid strides made
in civilization. Through the whole social
system has progressed the magnetic cur
rent that stimulated all to progress. EGu-
cation has come upon the world and been
effective. But the powers back of this
century are intellectual and moral. Sue
cess fills men with pride and they too
often attribute it to themselves. Still,
progress after all is only progress-a de-
veIopment. Centuries ago its fruit was
reaped-the harvest that the dead have
sown - the dead. forgotten and I'M
known.
The speaker said his lecture would ex-
anime what the church had to do with this
development, with civilization.
On close examination the earlier clvili-
cation was found to contain the elements
of ruin and decay. Slavery was the cor
nerstone upon which the mighty fabric
rested. The Roman law never developed
the man. So when the Romans settled
down to enjoy the fruits of conquest the
morals OF the people had degenerated, dis
appeared. New life was needed, and that
new life was to come from the scene of the
first Christian sJruggle-from the Holy
Land.
To regenerate this society was the great
work which the church had before her.
The church from the beginning set her
face against slavery. She taught that all
men were equal, thus laying the founda-
ton for universal liberty, for democracy
The church taught the true work of lie
and the true dignity of humanity
Constantine revised the old Roman law
This was of paramount Importance, for,
though Roman law was to be OyerthroWn,
it was at the bottom of all codes. The
church purified it. Constantine abol-
ished gladiatorial combats, slavery.
The church from the beginning set her
face against slavery. For the redemption
of slaves did st. Gregory use riches to pur-
chase freedom of slaves. Even Voltaire is
ander III. who proclaimed that all men
should be free.
At the end of the fifth century the great
migration OF races took place, and they all
fell upon Rome-upon the Roman EN-
pire-and were it not for the church of
God they would have swept away all civili-
Zation. Only one place afforded protec-
ton TO the citizens, and that was the
church. When Goth desecrated the sa-
credness of virgin of the church he was
called to account and his outrage decried.
1t was left 20 barbarian OF this time to
insult her.
The lecturer quoted various incidents to
show what influence the church had upon
the old civilization and then, continuing.
stated that the old Roman civilization died
away and settled upon Spain, Italy and
the other Latin countries, and without the
influence OF the church the civilization of
these countries would not have developed
into the beautiful civilization of after
years.
The two great rules of the church have
peen legislation and education. This law,
brought into Germany by tie missionaries
~ Ihe Catholic church, was new beacon
aaght 10 that people, who without the in
,oIiiS ana the teachings of the church
baIbarism. -o''0' --o'' '-e--
Even enemies of the church must admit
.nau were 1T not for the episcopal and
monast.c establishments of the church let
seIs would have died out in Europe. Mon
ESTES asa io were the centers OF enlightenment
Co., i Ia.'dn ing. The monks penetrated into
new lands, and wherever they went they
were the pioneers of new cause and new