Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1903-07-23

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that great company OF immortal ar.
lists. In that era when the Poutif
was a secular prince came the Re
formation also, that rent the church
in twain: and long after come Plus
with his decree of infallibilify, and
last of all came Leo the Good, ~he
accomplished the impossible. even
in Luther's own country.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE coxrAnED.
IF any man doubts let him ask
this question: Which churches are
the nsore crowded--the Jntherau
churches In Berlin or sIle Catholic
Icllarchss7 2 And, IN New York eity
itself, what more shall we say than
that under Leo's direction the
churches where the faith he holds
is taught are full to the doors 2''
Wonderful, indeed, this great or
ganization with its Is centuries OF
history
What cathedrals il has built
What Madonnas and Transfgura-
tions it has painted What solemn
TIE Deums it has written What
saints named Fenelon and Thomas q
Kempis What philanthropists like
Francis of Assissil What heroes
like Bernard Little wonder that
it has ruled princes and peasants
alike That it has controlled politi-
cal institutions and shaped the des-
tiny of states
Take it all in all, the Catholic
Church has been the most marvel
Gus political force OF the last 1900
years, has survived empires, states
and civilizations. And the new DO
sition and influence that the church
now holds is largely due to the wis
dom and noble character of Leo the
Pontiff.
He was not a great theologian
like Augustine, giving US vast
body of divinity. He was not a
great orator, like Chrysostom, sway
ing the thousands of weeping in the
Cathedral of st. Sophia. He did
not have the military instinct and
iron will of Hildebrand,
"a GREAT BISHOP"
But he was a great bishop, like
Ambrose, who ruled by love. He
was great propagandist, like Gre
CORY, sending his missionaries into
the uttermost parts of the earth.
He was q great statesman, who prov
ed himself a match for the most as
tute diplomats. He held himself to
be a sovereign and spoke of himself
as a prisoner in the Vatican, and he
was the equal of princes and am
bassadors whom he met.
But, great as he was, we forget
his greatness when we remem-
ber his goodness. The English car
dinal who wrote for the world his
Lead, Kindly Light, was not more
venerated for the purity and sim
plicity of his character.
In the noblest sense OF the term
Leo was a man whose interests were
worldwide. In reading his letters
and addresses We are impressed
with the universally OF his themes.
He writes and speaks not from the
| viewpoint OF an Italian, butfrom the
citizen of all countries. Always he
strikes the universal note that ap-
peals to all people. The most inn
portant OF his encyclicals deal with
the condition of the working classes,
the chief duties of Christians as
citizens, marriage and divorce, so.
cialism and anarchy, workingmen s
clubs and trade unions. In these
noble papers he speaks not from the
viewpoint of the prelate, but from
the viewpoint OF the Christian.
PLEAS FOR THE POOR.
He always pleads the cause OF
the poor; his heart was knitted in
with the interests of his kind. He
has tried TO make his influence q
bulwark for their defense.
In condemning the oppressor he
spoke no soft words; be descended
upon the strong,man 'ssins and crimes
with the might of an avalanche.
His words burn like a flame against
every form of iniquity. He came
forth, and loi the scOurge was in his
hand.
What a mine of wisdom is found
in these addresses to the working
classes! He points out for the peo-
pie the paths that lead to prosperity
and peace. 1t has often been said
that the strength and wisdom of
these letters were treceable 70 the
College OF Cardinals and TO the re-
representatives. OF foreign countries
who stood around about the Pope
for counsel and direction. But if
Lincoln read his state papers to
his Cabinet, does il mean that his
save the genius of abraham Lin