Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-06-11

ielnu GU tIO OHltcO |ot6IcS WOulu
be splendid thing for both countries
CARDINAL GIBBONS ON THE
BIBLE.
Cardinal Gibbons, in his address at
the Catholic University, in Washington,
on Wednesday, spoke as follows of the
Bible:
Among the many advantages you
enjoy in this young but fourishing in
stitution of learning may mention this
one in particular, that You are taught
by your able and discriminating profes
sors what books you are 10 study, what
authors you are to consult in your &C.
clesAstical or civil career. And 1 re-
gard the selection of books as decided
|, element of success. Your progress in
life will largely depend on the spiritual
and intellectual weapons you will use,
just as Admiral Dewey's great victory
in Manila was due not only to the
. acknowledged bravery of his men, but
also to the superior armament of his
ships over that of the Spanish feet.
"While I must disclam the ability
which would enable me to recommend
to you the authors you should study.
there is one book which commend to
you first and last and at all times, and
that book is the Holy Scripture. The
Word Of God is justly styled by st. Am
brose the Libre Sscerdotalis, or the
priests book par excellence. You might
be familiar with the whole range of an
| Gent and modern literature, and yet il
you we're but impertectly acquainted
with the sacred volume your sermons
would be dry and cold and lamentably
| defective. On the other hand, if you
are we'll versed in the Eacred Scriptures,
though comparative stranger to hui
man science, you will preach with a
force and grace and JUNCTION that will
not fail to make a salutary impression
on your hearers and produce abundant
fruit in their souls.
| ut is q remarkable fact that our Sa-
viour was never known to have read or
quoted any book except the sacred
Scriptures. He makes no allusion 10
the classic literature of Greece anu
Rome which aourished in His day.
The fathers of the third, fourth and
fifth centuries have seldom been equal
ed and never excelled as sacred ora
tors. The only theology which they
read was the Word Of God. There is q
strength and force and viriity in their
discourses which clearly reveal the
heavenly food Of the Word of God on
which they fed.
"But in order to make the perusal
and study of the sacred Scriptures prof
! liable to your Coul, You must never lose
sight of the truth that the sacred vol
uEe is message to US from our Father
in heaven. 1t is related that st. An
thony once received 8 letter written
conioin.," by the Emperor Constantine
the Great and his so1 Id con'1an'ia sa ana no
Constans. When his brethren A'u
that the emperor had sent letter to
their father, they were very much
elated and grati6ed. But Anthony,
witnessing their joy, remarked to them:
"You are pleased that the Emperor
wrote to me. But should you not be
tA'AOo WAp1 tbuiOL GAhO Oul AC6tOn-
~ Father himself should have written
and spoken to US by His Son ?"
Alexander the Great was accustom
ed to have copy of Homer and dag
ger under his pillow wherever he slept.
You who are to be captains in the army
of the Lord should have more rever-
ence for the Word of God than Alexen-
der had for the Greek poet. Protect
yourselves against the assaults of the
enemy with the sword of the spirit,
which is the Word of God In the
words of Jerome, 'let sleep overtake
you while holding the sacred volume,
and let the inspired page sustain your
dropping head"
"Allow me, gentlemen, TO congratu-
late you On the ability which you have
10 the course OF your studies
in this institution of learning. I wish
you from my heart every success in the
career of life which awaits you, and I
earnestly Nors that Won will manifest
your pl actical gratitude towards your
professors oy the deep interest which
you will always take al the welfare and
prosperity of the Catholic University of
America"