Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-11-02

III M circles OF LeWlStOWn, IOT
IT was the occasion of the visit Of the
Right Rev. Bishop Matthias C. Leni'
han of Great Falls, to this city. This
visit was an honor to the church here
for it was the first Of the bishops
visits in his new diocese. Father
Nermaat had made elaborate arrange
ments for his reception here and ev.
erything was as it should be. The
weather was perfect and the large au-
diences which greeted the bishop
when he spoke showed In what high
esteem he is held by the Catholic peo-
pie. However, the people of his own
church were not the only ones who
were anxious to hear and see him, for
many prominent people of the town,
who were not Catholics, attended the
meetings.
Bishop Lehman is a scholarly and
broad-minded mar. In his addresses
here he made an excellent impression
On all who heard him, and the Cath
Ollie church in Montana is TO be con
graduated on his coming to this state.
The Rev. Father Victor Day, admins.
traitor of the diocese oil Helena, was
also in this city last week. He is
n Of the most beloved men In the
church, which fact was shown by the
reception given him here.
A public reception was held for the
new bishop in Culver's hall Thursday
evening and a large number gathered
to meet and hear him. A program
had been arranged by Father Yer
maat, which was of unusual excel
lence. Music was furnished by Cul
ver's orchestra and speeches made by
the city, and DR.. John Foley, in behalf
of the Catholic church of Lewistown.
Bishop Lenihan responded in a short
address. The speeches of Judge
Cheadle and Bishop Lehman are CIV
en- below. Judge Cheadle spoke as
follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen: | need hard
ly say that | am fully sensible OF the
honor conferred upon me by Father
Vermaat in asking me to make a few
remarks of welcome to the Right Rev,
Bishop Lehman, who, | am informed
makes his first pontifical visit in this
state to ~ town. This is an honor
of which we may well be proud, and
which, | beg to assure all concerned
we highly appreciate, the Protestants
as well as the Catholics. | shall speak
but briefly tonight, but | want to ex
press to this audience and to ouI
guests the appreciation we have oil
their presence here, and the reasons
we have for feeling that this Is an oc
casion for congratulation to ourselves
II is a subject with which | am moi
familiar. | am not a theologian by
any means, and | feel some hesitation
in speaking upon subjects of this char
acter, inasmuch as | realize my in
ability to do them justice. Two nights
ago this hall was occupied by a politi
cal meeting, where we had the pleas
ure of listening to the governor OF this
state. At this present time political
subjects engross almost our entire a.,
tention. Ii the occasion we're Ii oil
that nature, | feel that probably
could do myself better justice than
can on an occasion of this kind. But
since | am debarred from politics this
fall for reasons obvious 10 You all,
shall do as well as | a with a sub
ject of this nature.
AS | have been thinking ove the
nature of the visit of this disnitary
OF the church to us, it has natural.
occurred TO me to search for reasons
Why this visit is Of Importance and
of interest to us. And they occur to
HE something in this manner: The
Jurisdiction of the bishop is over some
of the most important subjects which
interest us, and which pertain to our
welfare. The most important inter
ests of this community. or of any com
munity are not the material ones
What makes America great and what
makes Montana great Is not our Lila
terial possessions, ii Is not the ex'
tent OF u territory, the fertility oi
our fields, or the wealth of our mines
The republic of America is great not
because we have a vast and rich
country, not because Of u great
ac~hievn-'"~t- in peace and war, bui
il is great because Americans are
great. The real greatness of Amer.
lea lies in the minds and the hearts
of her citizens; the real strength OF
Montana and her real greatness lies
IN the same foundation and rises from
the same source. The highest part
OF man and his noblest faculties are
within the jurisdiction of our churcli
authorities. II is for that reason, |
think, that We feel that this occasion
is a most important one. Man is not
his material body, II Is not his ply
steal environment; man is a spirit
This mortal body is but the habitatlon
or the yestment of the man himself
And the spiritual jurisdiction which
cares for the highest interests oil man
kind, for mans soul and heart, Is Of
the highest importance to us all. The
part that the church takes in u life
9th individual and nationally, is oI
the most important. We are apt tC
be too much ~engrosseu with the ma
terial aspects OF our civilization, We
are interested in the policies oil gov
eminent. in the development of on
resources, in our relations with foreisI
nations, in the state of affairs a
home; and we are apt to pass by a.
oil comparatively slight import Tn,
spiritual affairs of the community Of
of the individual. And yet these al.
the most important things. Ali els,
is trsnsitory; II will one day pas!
away like a dream. But we bellev,
that mans spirit is immortal. and w
ought TO be. far more than we arc
interested in the spiritual affairs o
mankind. because they are eternal
while everything else around us II
but temporal. II We needed NOR
these hiahly imbortant matters. II w