The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-22
HIS HOLINESS, POPE LEO XIII.

Without this the freedom of our will
would be our ruin. First OF all. there
must be law-that is. a fixed rule OF
teaching what is TO be done and what is
/ to be left UndCHe- In man S
I free will. therefore. or in the moral
necessity OF our voluntary acts, being in
, accordance with reason, lies the very
root Of the necessity OF law" Thus 1t
is that he enfOrces the necessity or liv-
ing according to the highest moral code.
according to the dictates OF religion.
conscience. and justice.
The world still rings with the en-
cyclical on labor. This production.
sometimes called 1.-The Magma Charta OF
the oppressed" was translated into
every civilized language and has in GER
tain countries produced admirable re-
suits.
Opened Vatican to Students.
The opening Of the Vatican library
and archives to students of history from
the civilized nations OF the world was a
grand encouragement given TO learning.
Above all things" he said, quoting
from Cicero. "let writer's bear in mind
that the first law Of history is never to
dare to say that which is not true. and
the second never to fear TO say that
which is true. lest the suspicion OF hate
or favor fall upon their statements"
The highest learning was brought into
prominence by his encyclical on the
philosophical system OF ST. Thomas
Aquinas. This was followed by the pub
LEGATION OF the whole works OF this great
doctor In an deliberately studied edition.
which, after twenty years. is still in
course OF publication. and which will
probably require twenty years more be-
fore il is completed.
Promoter Of the Fine Arts.
The promotion OF the fine arts has also
been a matter OF his deep soIicitude. He
has completed the idea conceived by Plus
X by rebuilding the apse OF the BasiIica
of St John Lateran-a work that cost
Q 900 900 francs (about 81 500 .O0O) and oc-
cupied over seven years in doing. Now
il CLOVIS with gilded mosaics and the
raIest marbles and bright frescoes-a
worthy adornment for the Cathedral OF
the PontifT. the mother OF all the
churches OF the Catholic world
The gallery Of the candelabra in tho
Vatican was rendered beautiful under his
direction. and it's rude brick pavement
has been replaced by one OF choice mar
bles. and its ceiling has been adorned
with the choicest works OF modern mas
tiers II would be impossible in brief
space even TO mention the varied fields
In which Leo XIII patronized and en-
couraged the arts. The late master OF
Christian archaeology, C. B. De Rossi
has left on record the increase that has
been made during the early years Of
Leo Kills reign to the museum Of
Christian antiquities in the Vatican. Sub
sides have been granted by him for the
prosecution of excavations and for the
spread Of information concerning them
Encouragement to Science.
The establishment OF two observatories
a the Vatican in which astronomical
and meteorological studies are pursued
is one OF the costliest tributes which
the Pope has paid to science. In we'll
nigh every department Of human thought
the imrcllinE and sustaining hand of Leo
XIII is visible.
The latest outcome OF his cver-active
mind is visible in the formation of a
great. responsible and worthy commits
sior for Biblical studies. OF which five
cardinals form part. and these are as