The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-24

tory; but they have in our eyes deep
meaning. They proclaim the doctrine OF
unity that is, clearer than the MONDAY
sun from the teachings of Jesus; they
make first stepIin the direction OF its
restoration; they keep alive tee spirit OF
charity in many hearts, and they stir up
countless prayers for the contamination
of an end that few believing Christians
any longer consitler unnecessary. AL
ready the canker-w worms of doubt and in
difference are gnawing at those last
foundations of the old inherited Christian
religious beliefs that still worked benefi-
Gently outside the pale of Catholic unity,
but are now disappearing from the pubic
consciousness because, too often, they are
no longer elements of private conviction.
In the realm of faith, as in that of ma
ture, there is an after-glow, when the
central sun has spent its force; but In
both that glow is the herald of GOODNESS
and darkness. To those who no longer al
low in their hearts any Christian belief,
Catholicism has strongly appealed in this
century by its teachings on the right use
of reason in matters of faith. the claims
OF religion on the mind and the heart OF
man, the benefits of Christianity and its
superiority over all other forms of re-
ligion-in word, by the constant expose
of all the motives of credibility which
could affect a sane and right mind that
had Invested itself of prejudice and pas
sion.
CONVERSIONS TO CATHOLICISM.
Not the least remarkable share of the
history of Catholicism is seen in the
stream of conversions that began in the
very stress of the French Revolution and
has not ceased to flow since then From
every land of the Old and New Worlds
hundreds of thousands have returned of
their own volition to the ancient fold
wherein we firmly believe is kept the
sacred deposit of saving truth. They
have come to us from the pulpits of OPP
posing religions and from the workshops
of an unbelieving science. Every condi-
ton of life, and both sexes have sent us
numerous souls. Very many of these con-
versions have been unsolicited and unex-
pected. Some of them meant an acces-
sion of wealth or social prestige or high
rank. Others brought with them the be-
loved tribute of uncommon intelligence,
experience of life and men, acquired cru
dition. the highest gifts of style and ora
tory. Very many have come from the
middle walks OF life, and signifed no
more than great WEAKNESS of pursuing
shadows for the reality of divine truth,
and the excessive goodness of the Holy
Spirit of God which bloweth where 1t
listeth. OF this army of converts some
have been drawn by the conviction that
the Bible alone, without an interpreter
and witness divinely guaranteed, could
not suffice as Illo Of faith. Others have
been moved by the incarnation in the
Church of the spirit and functions of au-
thority without which no society can ex-
list. Still others have come back to the
mother of all Churches, through deep
heart-veariness at the endless dilapida-
ton of divine truth outside the Roman
Church. Some have sought and found
through the study of history the open
door to the truth. Others again through
the study of art and its functions in the
Christian Church. In whatever way they
returned to the unity of the original
sheepfold, they are an eloquent witness
to the innate vigor and the immortal
charm of the Christian truth as preserved
in Catholicism. For they have come in
Internationally. Their return has worked
beneficially not only for themselves, but
for those of the Catholic faith, whom It
| has consoled and encouraged for their
| steadfastness, while the non-Catholic
world cannot but feel that that religion
| is worthy of respect, even of study,
| which can forever draw so many men and
women out of the ranks of its adver-
saries. even at the sacrifice of many
things which are usually held dear by
society.
THE RELATIONS WITH CIVIL AUTHORITY.
Being genuine and worldwide re-
| Hgion, Catholicism could not but come
into contact with the powers in which
rests the social authority.
| In many cases the fundan. entail rela-
tions of both have been settled by docu-
ments of a quasi-constitutional character
| known as Concordats. They are binding
on both parties. yet in more than one
! case the supreme authority of Cathol-
icism has had reason to complain of theil
violation either in letter or in spirit
IMPORTANT points like the freedom Of
episcopal elections, the management OF
ecclesiastical revenues. the freedom OF
| access to and communication with the
Holy See, have been tempered with Oh
openly abolished. In a general way Cath
olics are far from being content with thu
actual administration of these quasi
treaties between the civil and the &c
clesiastical powers in the Old World anC
in South America-yet they respect then
and desire to live up to their require
ments 1t is TO be hoped that in the com
Will hs. loo grin
of the truly beneficent intentions of TIL
Church and less hampering of the com
mon organs of her existence and work Il
century filed with revolutions as n,
other the Catholic Church has comporte,
herself with dignity and equity, and man
aged to find the correct via media in thi
great tangle OF opposing and mutual.
destructive forms and theories of govern
ment.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE UNITE
STATES.
Tn our own beloved country we hav
every reason to be thankful that the lib
erty to worship God according to tn
dictates of conscience is guaranteed b
the Constitution. and has entered deepl
into the convictions of our fellow-citi
i zens. The Catholic Church, by her ow
constitution, is deeply sympathetic wit
; our national life and all that 1t stand
. for She has tbrived in the atmospher
+ ~ liberty. and seeks only the protectio
of the common law, that equal justic
which is dealt out to all. She is the old
est historical and continuous governmer
on the earth, and it is no small indie
of the value of our institutions and the
c durability that they make provision fo