The Irish standard., 1899-07-22


and intact. Providence in preserving
there the faith gave Ireland sublime
mission of preserving it in other ma
tons, and of providing for the great
mission of England throughout the
world. To-day, despite the schism Of
the sixteenth century, owing to the
strong, steadfast faith of ireland, where
ever the English flag is lifted up, there
is beneath it a representation OF the
Catholic Church, and thus Ireland con-
tributes to make the great influence OF
the British Empire an influence for the
holy Catholic Church. Even as Cath
olics, as we look forward to the future
of the English-speaking peoples, and
the influence Of England we are hopeful
for the future OF the Catholic Church.
Not only as sons OF England, but even
as sons OF holy Church, you can rejoice
at the extent OF British influence, for
that influence carries with it liberty for
religion. America thanks England for
that. The Church to-day is allowed full
permission to develop all the strength
within her. 1t is free battle between
the Church and inhdelity and error, and
we who have faith in the divine sap
coursing through the veins of Holy
Church are not afraid OF the result. Gap
plause.) God is with His Church; His
arm is not shortened to-day The power
that brought England into the fold
1,5oo years ago is able to bring into the
fold OF the Catholic Church to-day Eng
land herself, and all the great countries
subject to her influence. But gentle
men, your mission as English Catholics
brings home to you new responsibilities.
l do not know that anywhere in the
world to-day | could address body OF
Catholics upon whose shoulders | see
resting such wide responsibilities as are
laid upon yours. 1t is your mission,
few as you may be, and weak in many
regards as you may have to admit your
selves to bet is your mission to CO.
operate with Gods Providence to bring
back the Holy Faith throughout these
islands, and to make English influence
Holy Church. The mission OF English
throughout the world serve the cause OF
speaking Catholics is immense. God
has provided you even with many OF the
natural dispositions required for this
mission. AS Catholics you must put
into the service of religion those noble,
manly qualities Of your race which have
made it conquer and triumph in the
world. You must put into the service
OF religion that great personal initiative
peculiar to your race, which tells each
man to do his very best, which tells
each man to seek out the way wherein
he may best achieve. his great purpose.
You must put into the service OF re-
l1glon that aggressiveness which is char
acterlstic of the English people, and that
perseverance Which never stops before
obstacles, and to which so much OF your
prosperity is due. 1t is we'll that the
future OF the Church in many countries
depends upon the exercise by the Cath
olics in England, in the service of re-
ligion, of many OF those qualities which
have made their country so glorious and
triumphant (Applause)
l ami speaking to the Catholic laity of
England. I love to speak in any coun-
try to the laity, and l do so with particu-
lar pleasure here I am Bishop. OF
Holy Church, and it is my duty to sus-
tain the dignity OF my office and to
maintain all its rights; but as Bishop
who is at the same time something OF
man OF the world say that the Church
must not be in practice and on the field
OF battle too ministerial In former
days, and in countries Catholic, the
Church moved along, as it were, of it.
self All that was necessary for the off
Gals of the Church was to give drec-
tons. This is day OF war, OF contest,
and the Bishops and priests of the
Church, without the laty, are as so
many captains on the field OF battle with
out the soldiers. (Applause.) The
great sermon to be preached to Cath
olics nowadays is the sermon of lay &C
ton. There are thousands OF things to
be done which priests and Bishops alone
cannot do. You are out in the world
You see what has to be done, and YOU
must do it at once, without waiting to
report back to headquarters that here
ard there some service to religion NAV
be done Do it first, and report it after
you have done it. (Applause) By
your example you preach hundred
times better to the country at large than
we can from the pulpit. Your fellow
citizens will not come to hear us. They
will see you; and if they find in you the
true Christian faith, find in you the hon
orable man, find in you the true citizen
and the devoted patriot they will say that
the Catholic Church serves some great
purpose. If they see exemplifed in the
laity the principles which priests and
Bishops preach from the pulpit in alb
stract form, then they will believe in the
truth OF the preaching OF the Bishops
and priests, and from what they see they
will take step forward. Let the Cath
Ole laity be vigilant and Jealous for