The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-24
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

In the Catholic cnurch women are
employed in all the various works
which occupy them in other organiza-
tons, with several differences, which
shall endeavor to note.
In the first place. the spirit of the
Catholic church. whilst looking upon
women and men as having equal
rights, is to engage women in those
pursuits which by nature are in con-
formity with her physical condition,
and moral duties. Hence she is not
employed in lecturing, preaching, etc,
but in those more modest works, which
best befit her delicacy.
In the next place, it is through
woman's work that the Catholic
church carries out so effectualy, her
doctrine on the indissolubility of the
marriage tie, and the sacrednesS of
home. Amongst Catholics, women
treat with horror, and avoid as pollu-
ton, those who are guilty of divorce.
an evil which is today so fearfully
on the increase; thus, family life is
protected
Again: the noblest work of women
in the Catholic church, is considered
the rearing of children for Gods
glory. Hence the instruction and
training of children in Christian
knowledge. which Catholic mothers
regard as the most important work OF
their life, and in which they are in
many places banded together in So
cietieS.
Owing to the vastness of the Cath
Ollie church, there being between 250,-
10000 and 00000,000 members of
all classes and conditions, hardly is
there a phase of religious, charity or
educational work, suitable for women
that is not covered by them. These
works take in the human race from
the cradle to the grave. Hence In
FAINT and Founding Asylums, Orphan
ages Sunday Schools, Parochial
Schools, Academies, Universities,
works for visiting and relieving the
poor and those in affiiction we en-
courage. Mission works of various
kinds, works for building churches and
school houses, works for supporting
seminaries and other religious insti-
tutionS, and a thousand others to such
a degree. that there is hardly a hui
man need in which Catholic women
are not employed for its relief or
furtherance.
The lay women cooperate in all
these works to greater or less extent,
and with the most marked devotion.
A particular point to be noted is
that whilst others give money, these
often times give both all their money
and property, and sacrifice life itself
Miss Catherine Drexel, who has not
only devoted her immense fortune OF
several millions, to educational and
charity work amongst Negroes and In
dams but has also devoted her whole
life to their betterment. and has raised
up society of Catholic women to
initiate her example.
1t will again be noted that the I'M
DERIVING principle of these works is
the ennobling principle of the love OF
God, and not earthly reward. In these
works they often-times receive no pay
whatever; nor are they moved to them
by merely philanthropic notions. but
because they see in these works, the
manifestation Of the love of God. they
undertake them and carry them
through heroicaIly.
Again will be noted that these
works are carried ON very hiddenly--
| that is without human applause, sc
that the individual is very often un-
known. Hence it is, that the Sister
in becoming a religious, takes another
name, and however heroic her deeds
or successful her work. she is sell
! dom known to the world
| How many Sisters of Charity have
sacrificed their lives to the dying Oh
afflicted and done deeds, with which
! such as these of Clara Barton cannot
compare. and yet will never be known
| to the world.
/ Again. note that these efforts of wo-
| men in the Catholic church, extend &c
work entailing the most heroic, har-
| rowing details Take for example the
| work of Catholic Sisters among thu
| leperS. TO devote ones self to thi.