The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-17


One body and one spirit, as you are called
In one hope of your calling; one Lord, one
faith. one baptism. one God and Father OF
ALL who Is above all and through all, and
in US ALL (Eph. Nv. 49, Wherefore because
Of the natural coordination of the COM
men people with the other ranks OF society,
which Is made more intimate By the law or
CHRISTIAN brotherhood, IL surely follows
that whatever diligence is bestowed upon
assisting the common people must extend
10 these other classes, the more because
1t is clearly proper and even necessary. II
the work is to be successful, shall
show below, that they should be invited to
take part in IT,
God forbid that UNDER the name of
Christian democracy should lie the sur
reptitiOus aim of throwing off all obedience
and turning away from those in Lawful au-
thority- The law OF nature, no less than
that or Christ. enjOins respect for all such
as in their several degree hold office in the
state, and further enjoins obedience TO
their lawful commands. This is the only
attitude worthy of man and Christian,
and ought to be taken up heartily and as
matter OF duty. for cOnscience's sake, as
the apostle himself has admonished, when
ne ordained. Let every soul be subject 10
the highest powers. (Rom. xiii, 1. D. 1t is
absolutely inconsistent with Christian pro-
fession that any one should refuse TO sub
NIT and be obedient to those of superior
office in the church. especially the bishops,
whom (without prejudice TO the authority
OF the Roman Pontiff over all and each)
the Holy Ghost hath placed TO rule the
Church Of God, which He hath purchased
with His own blood. (Acts Xxx, 2S) Any
one who thinks or acts differently is con-
victed OF forgetfulness of the same apOs-
ties most solemn injunction: obey your
prelates and be subject to them. For they
watch as being TO render an account OF
your souls. Qieb. xiii, H. 1t is most i'm
portant that the faithful should all and
each nave these words deeply implanted in
their minds and should study in their daily
life to put them in practice, and that those
who minister about sacred things should
also reflect upon them very diligently, and
not fail to teach them to others by their
words; yes, and still more, by their exam
pie.
I'VE have recalled these various topics
on Which We have before this found occa-
we tr1st that all dispute over the name OF
Christian democracy may now be laid
aside, as well as any suspicion of danger
Gus signification attaching TO it. This
trust we rightly cherish. For making ex-
ception of the ideas of certain persons
garding the force and virtue of this kind OF
Christian democracy. ideas which are not
Tree from extravaganza or error, surely
there will be no single person to find fault
with an endeavor. conformably TO the law
OF nature and of God, to do merely this, to
make the lives OF laborers and artisans
more tolerable. and gradually TO give them
the opportunity of self-culture, so that at
home and in the world they may freely
fulfill the obligations OF virtue and religion,
may feel themselves to be men, and not
mere animals; Christian men. not mere
pagans, and so strive with more felicity
peedful,' that final good, for which we
came into the world. This is the aim and
the task of those who would have the COM
mon people III Christian spirit on the one
hand suitably relieved and. on the other,
preserved against the contagion of social
ism.
RELIGION AND PROSPERITY.
I'VE spoke just now advisedly of virtue
and religion. For it is the opinion of some,
which is caught up by the masses, that the
social question, as they call it, is 'econom-
icai merely. The precise opposite is the
truth--that it is first of all moral and re-
ligious, and for that reason its solution is
to be expected mainly from the moral law
and the pronouncements of religion. For
suppose the productiveness of capital
doubled, the hours Of labor shortened, food
cheap: yet If the wage Garner listens to
teaching, as he commonly does, and acts
upon 1t, which tends TO destroy reverence
Tor the Deity, and to corrupt morals, mis-
labor, too, necessarily deterioriates and his
earnings fail. IL is found to-day by prac-
teal experience that many a workman lives
penuriously and miserably. in spite OF
shorter hours and higher wage, because OF
his character being bad and religion having
no hold upon him. Without the instincts
which Christian wisdom implantS and keeps
awe, without providence, self-control.
tnrilt, ehourahce ana other hatural quan-
ties, you may try your hardest, but pros
perity you cannot provide. That is the
reason why we have never encouraged
Catholics to form associations for the as
siStance of the poor, or introduce other
schemes of the kind. without at the same
time warning them that such things must
not be attempted without the sanction of
religion, without its inclusion and aid.
However, Catholic devotion to the pau
per class deserves the greatest commenda-
ton ms developing in the same field in
which active charity has always and hap
PLY labored, under the benignant influence
of the church in various ages. By the law
of mutual charity which, as 1t were, COM
pletes the law of justice, We are hidden not
only to give to all their due and interfere
with the rights of none, but also to do
kindness one to another. not in word. nor
in tongue. but in deed and i'm truth q
John Iii, 49,, remembering what Christ most
lovingly said TO His disciples: "A new
commandment / give unto you: That you
love one another; as have loved you, that
all men know that you are my disciples, if
you have love one for another. John Kill
1850
THE RULE OF CHARITY.
I'm addition to these marks of His ap-
prevail of charity in either direction,
whether regards the good OF the soul or
that Of the body, every one knows that
Christ gave the most signal exemplifca-
tions in His own person. The rule of char
ity delivered by Him the apostles first in
dustriousiy and with holy zeal observed;
after them those that embraced the Chris
tan faith inaugurated an abundance of in
stitutions, designed to alleviate miseries
that oppressed manhood. These institu-
tions grew and increased and became the
peculiar and glorious ornaments OF the
Christian name and of the civilization
thence derived, so that people of sound in
telligence cannot sufficiently admire them,
especially when ii is so natural for each to
look after his own interests and put other
pc ople second.
I'm the number of such benefactions
must not be left out the distribution of
which the saying of Christ applies: That
which remaineth, give aims luke xi, A.
No doubt, Socialists carp at this and would
have Ii altogether abolished as derogative
to the native ability of man. Yet ii is done
according to the precepts of the gospel and
in Christian manner; 1t neither feeds the
pride of the distributor nor infiicts any
Its being unbecoming to any enc. it rather
fosters the good fellowship of human as
ISOLATION by fostering the obligation of
mutual service. There is no enc so rich as
to have no need of any one else; none so
poor that he cannot do his neighbor some
good turn. 1t is human nature that we
should confidently ask for and charitably
afford assistance one with another. So
justice and charity mutually conjoin., ac-
ccrding to the equal and gentle law of
Christ, maintain in wonderful way the
bonds OF human society, and providently
lead every member to cater for his own
anG the common good.
1T Is O laudable charity not merely to re-
lleve the temporary needs OF the poor, but
TO have an organized system or relief; this
will be q more real and reliable assistance.
r,atsc f he cfi y Ia