The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-06-21

peace and in Christianity war found a
modifying and restraining influence
which was destined to rid it of much of
its barbarity and bring more of hui
nanity into its methods. The soldier
was recognized as an agent of author
pagan army that Christ said: 81 have
not found such faith in Israel" ST.
Augustine calls him d minister of the
law and a defender of public safety
He points out how the soldier in ODE
dience to his commanders orders faces
the enemy in battle is like the true
Christian whose life is a continual
warfare. That if the knight of battles
is good Christian, he will be true
soldier.
Life in the revealed word is called
warfare. TO battle for Christ is the
expressing of mans duty to live. Self
denial, priyations, struggles mark the
way to virtue and the soldiers charac-
ter finds it's counterpart in obedience
to the laws of God which is the mar
row way which leads to eternal life.
Despite ideals, evils come in the sol
dier's life and abuses result from the
passions and ambitions of individuals
and of states. Let us hold TO the ideals
and Gods blessings will descend upon
US and good will prevail The good SOL
der should be found in the good
Christian obedience to God which is
INoe 1IxA
thority. Be brave and loyal officers,
but first of all and always be brave
and virtuous men. Love, honor and
duty manliness and truth, integrity
of life and honeNy of character. Do
not dare to do wrong, but always dare
TO do right. Love your God and your
church. and you cannot fail to love
your country and your vocation.
He directs attention to West Point
which sent forth as brave soldiers as
ever fought for their country. II
should have an inspiring influence on
all military students.
THE traditions which entwfne them
selves around this academy are noble
and Inspiring. They tell OF good, great
and brave men whose names are writ
ten honorablyon the roll of the worlds
heroes. They We're Christians, gentle
men, scholars and patriots; 1eade1R OF
men, captains of great armies; men
with humanity in their hearts, full OF
forgiveness toward the foe, full OF
sympathy for erring brethren. fearless
in battle and loyal to country, yet al
ways anxious for peace and brother
hood. Young men, you are called to
follow them. There are places on his
tory's scroll for you and great deeds
await your doing. Grant, Sherman
and Sheridan, yet live in spirit to dc
through you as great honor to our
country at our countrys call. You are
called to service and the devotion OF
your young lives is demanded. This
land of freedom, the noblest of all re-
publics, the blessed among nations. the
guardian of human liberty, our owr
beloved country looks to you for pro,
lection in the hour of dangre. Hel
lands are fertile, her people and hel
laws are one, her industries move the
world. her riches bring comfort and
happiness to her citizens; but hel
greatest political gift is that of citi.
zenship in a republic where the peopl,
rule and where mans rights of con
science are safeguarded by law Yot
are the defenders of law and order
against anarchy and disorder"
His conclusion was directed to the
Catholic youth whom he was specially
addressing. He gave them encourage.
ment and invoked on them and the
republic Gods blessing.
Your mission" he said, lis a noble
one. God grant that you may always
be true to it. Your Catholic hearts ar.
full of love for your country, which
safeguards your sanctuaries and guar.
antees your citizenship. Your church
blesses your lives sworn to obedienc,
to your country's call, and bids yot
realize that you should be model off
GERS, faithful and loyal Catholics. May
God bless this academy and it's in,
structors. May they continue to sent
out into the military life of this coun.
try men of high purpose, who value
honor and duty, who love God anC
their fellow men, noble types of Amer.
lean manhood. true to the instincts o
liberty. and devoted to Christian ideals
May God bless our republic and it's de
fenderS!'