The San Francisco call., 1897-01-30
FATHER YORKE
CRACKING NUTS
Lectured to a Crowded
House in South San
Francisco.
His Purpose Was to Show That
Catholics Founded Religious
Liberty.
Y. M. I. Members Occupied the Stage
and There Was a Solo by
Mrs. Trey.

"Nuts to Crack" was the title of Rev.
Father Yorke's lecture last night in the
Opera-house in South San Francisco. 1t
was delivered to "standing-room only"
under the auspices of Young Mems In
stitute No. 3d. A solo was sung by Mrs.
Troy.
Past Grand President Frank Kierce
presided, and in his speech introducing
Father Yorke he reviewed the history OF
the Y. M. l. Prominent members OF In
stitute No. 80 were seated on the stage.
Father (Yorke reviewed the history of
the Roman Catholic church from Its in
ception almost down to Date. One object
of his lectures, be said, was education.
Many Protestants were sincere in their
belief and antipathy against the Catholic
church, and he desired to present facts
which would enlighten them. The
Catholic church was not opposed to edu-
cation. 1t did not want to keep the
people ignorant in order that it might
more effectually rule over them. The
Catholic church had taught the barbarisns
of early history and had 1T not been for
that church very little learning would
have been preserved to the world. The
word of God and works of art had been
saved by the monks.
ut has been said that the man who
lifts up his voice against che Roman
Catholic church owes it to that
church that he can speak at all. ;" he said.
1.-THE schools and universities of Eu-
rope" be continued, "were founded by
the Catholic church, among them Ok
ford and Cam bridge. The same was true
in France, Germany and Italy. While
nations and empires had passed away the
Catholic church has continued through
1000 years and was growing stronger. Still
there were people who claimed that 1t was
played out and could not exist in free
America. Before the reformation aud be-
fore the star of liberty had shown itself
in the Western world Catholic had pre-
vailed upon a Catholic Queen to pawn her
Jew els, and had planted Catholic cross,
with Catholic prayers, on the shore of
the New World. The Catholics had been, Z"
he said, foremost in learning-in religion,
in exploration, in daring deeds and
colonization for Christ, church and civil
ization. Catholics had discovered and ex-
pIored nearly all sections of America and
been first in California
How the enemies of the Catholic church
got it into their heads that the church is
opposed to liberty was a hard nut to
crack. The Catholics had been first in
this country for religious liberty. Jesuits
see med to be nightmare to Protestants,
who seemed to fear that If the Catholics
got in the majority they would start the
fires of the inquisition again.
England, up to the sixteenth cen tury, was
Catholic country. He said that during
the time Luther was stirring up Europe
Henry VIII, who had been called "a
md r.
enamoured of another woman and sought
to put away his wife. The Catholic church
does not recognize divorce. and the Pope
allowed the whole Kingdom of England
to go into schism and heresy rather than
do wrong even to the smallest of Christi
children. That was the beginning of
Protestantism in England. The peo-
and persons were burned who
did not agree with that church. Sects
m multiplied and fought each other for 200
years. Some tired of persecution got
away from England, sailed for America
and founded colonies. seeking in the
wilderness freedom of conscience for
themselves, but careful not to allow it to
anybody else. Though Puritans, Quakers
and other sects ouerreled with each
other, all agreed that the Paplst should
have no show. Catholic priests actually
laid down their lives for the crime of say
inc mass.
SIN 1888 Lord Calvert, afterward Lord
Baltimore, and others from England,
sailen up the Chesapeake, landed at a
place called St. Mary's, founded a colony
and what is now known as the State of
Maryland" continued Father Yorke.
''They were supreme in that colony; they
had charter from England. It was t!ls
colony of Maryland which made religion
free to Protestants alike, where the perse-
cuted Puritan or Quaker might seek safe
refuge, gathered in one brotherhood under
that freedom of worship which is the
highest star in our flag"
The speaker said that after Roger
Williams, who was a Baptist, returned
from England with charter that no man
should be interfered with in his religious
belief the first thing that was done was to
pass an act that Catholics be deprived OF
all rights, and all Catholics were disen-
franchised. The lecturer said the first
declaration of liberty in this country was
made by Catholics, and added: ~ would
like to have them crack that nut for me-"
Thomas DUNCAN, Catholic, made Gov
ward charter of religious liberty, but,
said the speaker, en- a Protestant was
appointed in Dungan's place the charter
was repealed.
Father Yorke drew from history to show
that Catholics had taken eading part in
the Revolution and the War of the Re-
bellion, and that Washington recognized
that fact in regard to the Revolution.
'Above all, thank God" he said, "Catho-
lies are tolerant"
Father YorKe promised to reply to Rev.
Mr.. Coyle of Oakland In a lecture he will
deliver soon in Oakland.