The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-07-17

fundamental pillars of mutual conn |
dence and trust; you render The security
arising from laws in a great measure
void and inca ectual. Law would be
but a feeble ms rument for the preser-
walton OF order, harmony and peace, il
Il sense OF moral Obligation and the
force cl superior duty to God did no.
exercise then inliuenc" upon man.
Wherever Christian principles are dis
aemimatci among the people their imllu
encn upon thu it"arts ana lives of mon
will BE- manifest, and society mast flour
ish in lis highest degree. And the mis-
sion of Christs priesthood is to plant
in youthful minds The seeds OF virtue,
ideas Of patriotism and incolluplible
citizenship. To lnculcate honesty ami
truth. industry and subriely. Justice and
charity. the basis of prosperity and vne
preservation of society,"
e. mould the minds and hearts of
men according lJ The laws OF heaven
and humanity. CAyist's anointed ones
com" with Gods holy gospel To teach
those Interchangeable canons OF conduct,
that code q morals that alone can de-
veop The highest charac;e! of citizen
ship and Christian manhood. In their
God-given mission they labor To curb
The passions of men. to cheek social
disorders thl, ailliol society, :, captivute
TIL" heart Gf the savage as well as ,he
mind OF the philosopher, to teach men
h'yt rt.,l,, ,,.I,;
unto salvation,' and that the true end
OF life is to know that life that never
ends. They who cherish and spread
such principles must ever sustain So
ccty. form its strength and achieve Tor
it an undying glory.
| The priest by his office must be
leader. AS a star in the night he goes
before his people to lead them from the
homes of sins, heavy bondage into the
! promised land of Gospel liberty.
Carlyle beautifully expressed this
thought, when he said The priest is
the spiritual captain of the people: he
guides them heaVenward by wise gull
anre through this earth and it's work.
we call Il voice from the unseen helv-
en-. The priest is Il leader who knows
the way and fears not to gain souls Tor
COD. tie comes not as the herald of
ncWfangl"d doctrines, nor as the leader
or month-picc" of any political party.
He must he a leader in the science OF
salvation and the spiritual welfare of
mankind He voices not the sentiments
of man. nor the wishes of any parry but
, the sacred teachings which fell from
the hAIuwrd lips Of JESUS Christ lie
carries his credentials from the very
hand Of God. and unveils to the vision
OF men the goodness. the beauty and the
truth OF the kingdom OF God No pow
or. earthhorn or hell-brgotten, can cause
him TO change the course of his heaven
commanded mission as the guide, tho
teacher and the saver of souls He is
the comforter OF the afflicted "thc guide
philosopher and friend" of the poor. He
is true to them in tolls and strifes; in
sunshine and in storm. in adversely and
prosperity; in life and death he has no
thought but to serve and save them
The poor have always a place in the
priests heart and are welcomed and
sheltered in the bosom of the Catholic
church. There alone the poor are free:
there alone they are certain of their
rights; and there alone they possess the
only ground that has never sunk be-
meath their feet"
Travel through cities and countries:
ask who was the founder of those insti-
tutions useful to suffering humanity.
Enter the hut OF the poor and ask who
gave them bread Go to the abandoned
sick and asa who is the consoling angel
that pours over the sad heart the oil of
comfort and the balm of hope. Make
your way into the dungeon of the prls-
oncr and ask who lightcns the burdens
of his chains. TO every question comes
the answer: The priest Investigate all
the spiritual and corporal miscrics of
poor. fallen humanity. and you will not
find ono That the priest does not daii--
visit and cndravur to relieve. He never
rclinquishcs nor abanhons the soul until
he sees ii safe in the bosom of God the
only home worthy of the children of
God. Christ. while on earth. was known
as Jesus of Nazareth. who went about
doing good" Behold the summary &C
the office of q priest. This is his duty;
this is his mission that will reflect the
beauty tho goodness and the truth of
the Divine Master.
Such is the office of the priesthood
of which You. Rev. Father Cleary, are
II worthy example, an ornament and a
light. We know but too we'll. You:
aversion to praise; that you have little
regard for the judgments of men. TO:
. you know that this worlds standard o!
| merit is not the divine standard. And
yet. on this happy anniversary, the Path
of your entrance into the royal ranks OF
Chrst's priesthood. we feel bound tc
give emphatic voice to tDe pleasure VIC
feel in extending to you our glad con-
CALCULATIONS and the heartfelt wish fol
tho prolongaton of your priesthood
Your life has been active and busy III