Evening star., 1902-01-16
DIR. CONATY IN PHILADELPHIA.
Address at Banquet in His Honor b
KNIGHTS of Columbus

,
knights of Columbus.
banquet was tendered by the knights
Of Columbus of Philadelphia to Rev.
Thomas J. Conaty, rector Of the Catholic
University, last night in celebration of DR..
Conaty's recent elevation to the bishopric
Of Samos. The dinner was marked by ad-
dresses by the guest Of honor, Rev. Father
Cornelius J. Gillespie of the Society of
Jesus. former pastor Of st. Aloysius Church
in this city, on "Our GUEST Mr.. Michael
J. Ryan on "Our Country" Rev. Joseph
V. Sweeney on 1.-The Order of the knights
of Columbus" and Archbishop Ryan. The
state deputy of the order, James A. Fla
herty, presided. ~ 7 3
DR.. Conaty's address provoked unstinted
applause. ''The work Of our university is
giants work." he said at its close. More
than once since I have been called to its
administration I have been appalled, at the
difficulties which presented themselves to
those who undertook its establishment, be
cause, after all, 1t seemed to many an un-
dertaking beyond our day and our efforts.
Yet the providence Of God seems to have
directed it's establishment and it will care
for it's success. We are trusting children of
that divine Providence and we built our
faith or that great strength of the church
In every land. on the people, on the intelli-
gent recognition of the needs of the church
in the age in which we live. Why should
not we Catholics of America stand in the
front rank as educators? There is but one
guide in true education and that is Christ,
and without Him there is nothing but dark
ness and with Him there Is light. 1t is an
honor to US in this country to have made
this step In advance, and we need not be
ashamed of what our Catholic University
has accomplished in the eleven years of it's
existence
What can the future do for us? It de-
pendS on you and NEON all of us. Every
one Of us is a force that can be used for
the general good. The great church of God
stands represented in that university, and 1t
Is our duty to add honor and glory to it in
proportion as God gives us power.
I'VE are today in the swim of national
prosperity; we are witnessing the apotheo-
sis Of commercialism. We are drifting away
from the lofty ideals of the knights Of old
We are inclined to be groveling after the
things of earth losing sight of the great
sun shining in the heavens over us. Let US
feel your sympathy as an encouragement to
us In the work Of preparing our young men
for the strenuous battle with these down.
ward tendencies"
Archbishop Ryan spoke very briefly, and
took his text from the last thought of DR..
Conaty's address. Rome had great
many conservative elements" he said,
which modern infidelity would sweep
away. Ii we were to be left without the
sustaining force of true religion, then We
would be worse Off than the pagans them
selves were. Therefore, it is well to face
these dangers, but with q great hope of
overcoming them. We have wnat Rome had
not, religious liberty. Therefore, it is to the
divine mission of the church that we may
look for the future; that the country may
be preserved in its greatness, for by being
loyal to its God It shall be loyal to its
magnificent destiny.