The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-05-02
REMARKABLE TRIBUTE.
a Los Angeles Minister'S Views on
CatholiCity.

"a Los Angeles Minister'S Views on
Catholicity.
The Catholic Church is the grand
est organization in the world" assert
ell Rev. j. S. Thompson in recent
sermon in the Independent Church Of
Christ, Of which he is pastor, at Los
Angeles, Cal. DIR. Thompson has been
preaching series of sermons on s"rhr
Providential Purpose of the Various
denominations" and this discussion
Was devoted to ''The Providental Pur-
pose of the Roman Catholic Denomina-
ton" He said in part:
The providential purpose of the
Roman denomination is unity and con-
tinuity. The Catholic Church is the
srahdest organization in the world.
1t has place of consecrated duty for
adj types or groups of mind. 1t is an
imperial&tic church. The pope is
real monarch On Il powerful throne.
holding in his hands scepter of WON
drous influence over the souls and
destinies of men. The present pope
glorlfies the papal crown; for he is
scholar, thinker, poet, Il genuine
philanthropist, true friend to every
wise measure for the benefit of the
race. skillful and practical manager
of vast and complicated affairs,
member of a noble family, Il gentle
man, and saint; and yet the Catholic
Church is thoroughly democratic in it's
aims policies and efforts.
= The poor, the common and the rich
people meet together in that church
as children of the common Father
The poor, Woodworking man and wom-
an are found in that church. 1t is an
ancient church. 1t was an ancient
church before the birth of Protest
antism. 1t has cohesion and unity and
continuity. The very fact Of it's great
age is a proof OF it's providential pur-
pose. 1t traces it's descent from the
founder Of our common Christianity.
The gates of hades have not been able
to destroy it. 1t stands To-Day a vic
tory over the opposition of centuries.
1t is the strongest religious force in
Christendom. Many reasons might be
given for the power and success of this
wonderful organization. That church
believes sincerely and profoundly in
the necessity for the salvation of men
and women in this world and the next.
1t breaches this necessity and it acts
accordingly. 1t does not neglect the
religious education of it's children, ex-
pecting them to grow up some way Or
other to be religious members of So
ciety. The keys of knowledge which
the church possesses are wisely used
to admit the worthy into the kingdom
Of heaven, and to prepare them to
seek that kingdom with consecrated
hearts. Religious knowledge frees
and strengthens the soul; but re-
ligion that cannot command loyalty
and conservation is worthless.
I'm the Dark Ages it was the monks
who kept the fires burning upon the
altar Of literature. Our divine and
glorious Bible was guarded and saved
by the Catholic Church for us. In
England and in many other places the
priest made the dying slave owner
emancipate his slaves. The priests are
consecrated workers. They sacrifice
many things in order in minister at
the altar. The Catholic Church has
always favored education. Before the
Reformation that church had estab-
lished colleges and other institutions
of learning. Was not Luther educated
in Catholic college? The Catholic
Church is the mother of all Protestant
denominations. Why should not these
children give gratitude, respect and
honor to that mother, who has done
and is doing so much good for the
world? 1t will not hurt our Protest
antism to be grateful