Evening journal., 1902-06-18
pRoTrsrANr AND CATHOLIC


PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC
Al a meeting OF the Knights Of Co
mmbus in this city on Mondayeeyen-
ing. a certain publication of a we'll
known book firm came up for review.
Many of those present expressed them
selves in vigorous terms against what
they regard as an unfair treatment Of
certain ecclesiastical questions, and a
resolution OF protest was adopted. The
Knights of Columbus is a Catholic or
eanization. and its members resent
what they regard as improper refec-
tions upon their church and its leaders.
We frankly admit that we have had no
opportunity of examining the passages
TO which objections have been found,
but we do think that there are phases
OF the subject which may be consld-
cred with profit
It seems strange that the most yio-
lent controversies are aroused over re-
hgious questions. and yet the greatest
religions, those which are approved
and adopted by enlightened men, have
as their basis the principle of love TO-
wards God and love towards our fellow
man. and therefore one Is inclined to
gay that in such matters the proper
spirit obliges us TO hold our peace
and allow error OF untruth to die of it.
sell. Yet an obligation rests on every
man who has an opinion based on any
thing substantial, to utter his senu-
ments for the benefit of his fellow
men. For knowledge and intellectual
activity have within themselves a
spirit which seeks expression; truth
demands utterance and seeks to ex-
pand and blossom and bear fruit even
as does a plant
Il is natural then for men who have
conceived what they believe to be the
highest truth-the doctrines OF their
church or creed-to seek TO exalt that
truth. and to resent that which inter-
prets II unfairly. For this reason the
world has had many evangels bearing
new and sublime messages, and also
manv intolerable and bigoted zealots.
Yet the world progresses, and the es-
sentials of one generation are the
non-essentials of another. In one period
OF the worlds history Protestants and
Catholics could not live together in
the Same country. Consequently the
Huguenots were expelled from France
and the Catholics virtually from Eng
land. II remained for the new Repub.
lie to find some basis OF agreement
and this was in the separation oi
church and state. That it is possible
for men to agree to disagree is shown
in the peace and concord which hav
obtained between the great religious
bodies in this country. In our who'll
history there has been no substantial
injustice done TO either body, or Il
any OF its branches
1t may not be said that peace ha
been the result Of weakened tolera
tion. and that to obtain Il men hav
laid aside their principles. Rather
is the result of breadth OF intelligence
and experience which has taught me
to observe the rights OF their fellow
There is a tacit understanding OF th
sphere in which religious discussion
allowed to move. and the standard {
ethics thus set up is rarely violated
is this understanding which has mad
concord between our people pOssibl
which makes no distinction betwee
the loyalty and worth as citizens,
Catholics and Protestants, and viii,
Keeps US in substantial agreement {
practically all essential things, but e
cepts religious belief
Yet while we have done well, the
is chance for Improvement. The
arc too many idle charges by the ign
rant or preiudiced that have no fou
dation Of truth. These at times a
due TO the intemperate remarks
over-zealous clergymen. and are TAX
up and magnifed by the laity In Il
way preiudices are formed in yoI
which are never eradicated- The int
iigent Catholic no longer regal
Professionals as heathens and infde
neither does the Protestant charge
brother with being worshiper
Idols and an enemy OF his country.