The San Francisco call., 1903-01-26

than in the twilight of national poverty and
obscurity
Yes it is an age of philanthropy. but not of
charity. The natural man has initiated.
we'll well as he can, the supernatural and divine
ing the role of special providence, but the
work OF regenerating and uplifting the human
race has not made progress Philanthropy has
done Its utmost to raise higher
level but has done it without making appeal
TO the spiritual nature of NAH. leaguing itself
perhaps unconsciously, with the naturalism of
the day. which places the sum OF human hap
piness in the rational of our purely natural
OF revelation disregarding mans soul his
spiritual needs in this world and his eternal
destiny in the world to come.
Charity. which is 10 philanthropy what the
magnificent human efrort PbiIantbropW has has
been seeking mans happiness in mere exter-
mails, regardless of the warning OF Christ, ''the
kingdom of heaven is within you" Mere nat
should ao to IT'S LABOR dsX by is tge ff haf hat
it should be coupled with the spirit
ualizng love Of mankind which Christ
taught, and which. through the instrumentality
of ST. Vincent de Paul, in the sixteenth and
Christian world A CRYING need Of oup dag @
is the ChristlilIe spirit Of pity for the needs of
others coupled with zeal for the salvation of
their souls, which Is the essence of Christian
charity; a fusion of that philanthropy which
looks to the physical and mental weilbeing of
the human race with that supernatural eIe-
ment that not only gives that peace which the
world cannot give, and without which there
is no real happiness. but leads wisely
need is that which tortured France in the
sixteenth century and which the great saint
which we honor to-day In honoring his dauph-
ters so abundantly filled.
ST. VINCENT'S SACRIFICE.
Born Of very poor parents his studies for the
priesthood were made at a great sacrifice 10
himself and TO his family. Carefully did God
prepare Vincent for his great work-the work
of inaugurating a revolution of charity with
which the Merciful Father visited France be-
fore il was overwhelmed by the revolution OF
flaa 11zrf IL he -
the cross, a life, of poverty, life in which he
tasted of the bitterness of captivity, of scorn,
Of false accusation and of a thousand other
trials, that he might make him the saint of
the poor. the saint of the sufferer, the saint Of
all those who have to bear the miseries and
And how his work, which began with so
small and slender an outfit, has grown and
spread throughout the world In the East and
in the West, in Christian and in heather lands
the sisters of charity found ministering to
the sick in hospitals. or to the wounded
battlehelds; going forth to brave contagion and
death. not in the name of philanthropy, but
inspired from that charity glowing from the
thropy. ministers to the stricken body, but
only that il may reach and save the still more
stricken soul
LOOKS BACK FIFTY YEARS.
Fifty years ago. at the invitation of the Rev
Archbishop Alemany, seven Sisters OF Charity
started for this coast from the mother house III
MARYLAND. Two of the little band of heroines
err before reaching their destination, dying OF
Fever N Panama The remaining five, under
charge OF Sister Frances McEnns began work
in this parish Divine providence had especi-
ally blessed this mission in placing at it's head
so remarkable woman Sister Frances A
true daughter of St Vincent. her heart was
ever responsive to the needs of others and her
mind ever quick 10 see the best means of meet
ing that need. Her faith and her charity re-
moved many mountains Of difficulty that lay
IN the path OF the infant community; the gra-
cious urbanity, gentle courtesy and tender con-
sideration with which she met the jarring cir
cumstances and characters of life. as though
she rad even IN mind her divine model. en-.
deared her 10 all. but especially to the poo-
and 20 the children-the two great charges of
St. Vincent
But that the Sisters have requested that they
and their work be passed over in silence, much