The Irish standard., 1898-04-16

with his bare feet to the ground, the up
per leather of his shoes only remaining
decent, while the soles were worn away.
In 1926. at the suggestion OF some
members OF congress from the South, he
was invited to preach in the hall of
Representatives in Washington, the sec
ond Catholic clergyman that ever oc-
cupied that place. \ single passage
from this noble production will show
how winningly he handled the Catholic
question before his non-Catholic fellow
citizens:
Judgment. nor my faith. would dictate
to me anything calculated to embitter
the feelings Of those who differ from
me. merely for that difference. My kind
est friends. my most intimate acquaint-
ance. those whom I do, and ought 10,
esteem and respect, are at variance with
my creed, yet 1t does not and shall no;
destroy our affections. In most. it would
DO ingrattude; for must avow. and I
do 1t most willingly, that in my jour-
ncys through our states. I have been
frequently humbed and abashed at the
kindness with which have been
treated
II came among you a stranger. and
went through your land with many and
most serious and unfortunate mistakes,
tor which YOU were not to blame. oper
atinG to my disadvantage. II q Catholic
bishop was in truth what he is even
now generally supposed to be in various
parts of this Union. he should not lie
permitted to reside among you: yet was
received into your houses, enrolled in
your families. and profted by your kind
ness. have frequently put the question
to myself whether ii had similar i'm
pressions regarding you. 1 could haze
acted with the like kindness, and must
own | frequently doubted II l could
1T is true you labored under serious
mistakes as to what was my religion,
and what were my duties and obliga-
tions But you were not yourselves the
cause OF those mistakes, nor had you
ing them. feel grateful to my friends.
who have afforded me this opportunity
OF perhaps aiding to do away with those
impressions, for our affections will he
the more strong as those mistakes will
be corrected; but 1t must crafty those
who. loving the country. behold us
spread through 1t. to DO assured that we
are not those vile things that have been
painted to their lmaginations, and which
ought not to be allowed existence in
any civilized community"
The address then goes on to give q
clear and lucid exposition of what
Catholics do In truth hold and practice
i'll religion to those matters which have
been the chief subjects of the delusions
and prejudtces of Protestants against
tho church and her followers, and closed
with beautiful appeal to his hearers
to cultivate, first, the love OF God and
second, the love Of their neighbor, and
u prayer that our union and harmony
here may be the foundation OF an ever
lasting peace hereafter.
The great struggle of Bishop Eng
lands life in this country seems to have
been to present tho Catholic church her
doctrines and practices, in their true
light before the American people. In his
efforts to do this his labors were indie
latlsable His means of accomplish
ing this were various and we'll
studied. He endeavored. from his ar
rival in the country, to identify himself
thoroughly with its people. It's institu-
lions, Its hopes. and its future He was
vigllant and spirited in defending the
honor and integrity of the country, as he
was in ,lpholding the doctrines and prac-
ticcs OF the church.
In his writings and public sermons and
addresses ho Travelled over the wide
range Of history, theology and the arts,
In order to vindicate the spotless spouse
or Christ against tho calumnies of her
enemies. If Catholic citizens and voters
wcra attacted on tho score of their fldel-
ity to their country and its institutions,
Bishop England's ready pen defended,
them from the calllmny and silcnced
their accuscrs. He found the church in
tho United States comparatively defense
less. but ho soon rendered It a dangerous
task in her enemies to attack or yIlify
hcr; and many who ventured on this
mode OF warfare were glad to retreat
from the field bcfore"the crushing weap-
ons OF logic. erudition and elouuencn
with which he battlcd for his church, his
creed and his people.
Bishop Englands controversial writ
ings and sermons are masterpieces of
learning. logic and eloquence. Their
style has been lillcned to ono who often
heard him Ito straight bar Of polished
steel. connecting his conclusions with
his promises. with the lightning of heav-
en- blazing and flashing about it." When
ever he went from home he was invited
to preach on tho questions of controversy
between Catholics and Professionals. Yet
controversy was not his best element.
1t was as Catholic pastor among Cath
olics that he was most sublime, most
powerful over the human heart and pas-
SiOns