The weekly intelligencer., 1897-10-02

discard IL, declare it to be only folly, su
perstition, ignorance; but even then It is
n Bauquo's Ghost that will not down
Their nervous denial, their aerial crIti-
dence the fact that that which they deny
or criticize Is still a potent reality.
Now since religion Is something real, Ii
| must take a tangible, visible form. An
Invisible church might suit the angels,
but for humanity IL must become, as
Christ the founder nf the true religion
did, incarnate. A visible church requires
that temples be erected, and IL Is to wit
| ness ths beginning of such a temple that
We are assem- bled today. For the Cath
a specially blessed day-one of brightness
| and of hope. They have struggled aud
suffered as few congregations have. Back
In the ffties they built q little church
| overlooking the river youder, and for
years grouped around Its humble altar,
until their numbers and faith so inoreas-
| cd that they went forth and built a gor-
geous schurch-the largest and most costly
! then In western Missouri.
Scarcely had this new church been
| erected, when owing to its faulty con-
struction ana perhaps other causes, 1t
collapsed, bringing down with its wall
the hopes and aspirations of the people.
With bowed heads and broken spirit they
went back to the old church overlooking
the river, and for the last twenty years
have been compelled to crowd together 10
the frail old building. But It Is hard to
conquer the spirit OF Catholicity. 1t has
undergone persecution in every century
OF its existence, but the blood OF its mar
tyrs has nourished il for grander sacrifices
and greater victories. Even the powers
OF nature cannot conquer 1t. Its churches
as here. may fall to the dust, but loving
hands rebuild them; its temples may be
burned to the ground, but Phoenix like
they arise from their own ashes.
Today then must be glorious day, I'LL
ed with faith and hope for the Catholic
people-their calvary Is passed, they are
now at their resurrection morning. The
cross they bore will now be FURNISHED
with gold, and set in honor high up,
where 1t shall remain emhlematic of q
peoples sorrow and their fidelity.
And for the non Catholic people too,
this Is an apspictops day. Every church
that ls built adds to the oityis wealth.
You may bald bridges, factories, rail-
roads things good in their way, But
It's me rails and their development are the
churches that evidence its trust in God
and its obedience to bis law.
Nor need 1t be feared, because this Ia q
Catholic church that therefore prejudice
or i'll Will may result. The Catholic
church has never been an exponent of
prejudice or sectarian hatred. She be-
lieves In charity, In peace, In good will to
all. She stands for the gospel of peace
the gospel of Christ, devoted to the teach
ings of her founder-anxious to observe
all just laws and to teach their observance
to her children.
The Bishop, here noticing that "Old
Glory" had been placed on the platform,
where its glorious folds we're kissed by
the warm breeIes, with q gesture drew
the attention OF all to the old Gag and
said:
az am glad to see here the flag of our
country. Its setting here by Catholic
hands today Is proof enough of their
devotion to their country. It is set here
by no civic enactment, by the order OF no
comma nder, bnt voluntarily, by a people
who love and honor 1t. Once in the his
tory of Lexington they told you that you
must hang that flag above the cross. You
said no. Did they want you to do so as
test OF devotion, IL was not necessary;
for yonder hill was even at that time
being empurpled with Catholic blood.
The men who fought under Mulligan
answered with their lives for their Cath
Ollie fellow couPtrymen. The flag did not
go above the cross; its being placed there
then would only have added TO war's desp-
iation. But now, with Q country one and
undivided. that nag takee its place beside
the cross, and God aud country remain
our watchword."
The Bishop dwelt on the spirit OF
charity that ought to reign among all the
citizens-helpIng one another, rejoicing
10 one another's success, working for the
common interest OF all.
At the conclusion of his address Bishop
Glonnon, Father Francis and Father
O'Reiily retired to the parochial residence.
In short lime they appeared and walked
to the place where the eoFnar- stone was
to be laid. Bishop dlennop was attired
in cape and mitre and carried the erosieV
In his hand. Father o'Reilly was dressed
In cassack and surplice; Father Francis
wore the habit of his order and the sur