The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-07-23

could address himself-the noblest
prize that could be won by the church
in this century which is dawning.
just conceive, gentlemen, what the
conversion of the United States TO the
| Catholic faith would imply. Conceive
the Importance of such a conversion to
the welfare and prosperity of the peo-
pie. Consider what a security it would
afford to the permanence of republican
! government on this continent. AT the
conclusion of the sermon some persons
who stood near me suggested that this
conception, noble and sublime though
it was, was rather the airy creation of
an ardent imagination than a prac-
teal enterprise to be considered by
sensible men.
Il do not know how l can spend this
evening better than by explaining to
you, gentlemen OF the graduating class,
my reason for believing that the con-
an eNtravagant conception, but a prac-
teal enterprise, we'll within the
bounds of accomplishment. and the
part that | expect you and other grad
yates Of Catholic colleges TO play i'll
iustifying this faith Which l profess.
Now. we have heard explained With
the utmost plainness in the addresses
! tonight that the Catholic church from
the beginning was the friend OF free,
dom, OF progress, WAS the agency that
addressed itself to the settlement OF
social problems and was, above ali, the
support of republicanism.
Gentlemen, everything that you
said was strictly true. Ii it We're open
to criticism at all it was ON the side
OF moderation. You might have gone
further and said With perfect truth
that the Catholic church is not merely
the friend of freedom, but she is the
fountain of freedom (applause). that
she is not only the friend of progress,
but she is the light Of progress: that
she is not only the natural support of
in these United States, but thar the
origin of the constitution which we
prize is not to be found in any pro-
ccedngs in Philadelphia Of r'.c y,.se
OF the last century; it is not 10 be
found in the declaration of indepen-
dence. in the bill of rights or in the
Magma Clarta, nor in any monument
to human wisdom or OF human free
dom. 1t is to be found on the shores
of Lake Galilee when the gospel OF
Christ was preached to all men. and
its fundamental feature was that all
men wore born equal in the sight of
God. (Appiause.)
Nov to Work the conversion OF the
United States to the Catholic faith. it
is we'll that we should first of all ex-
plain what we mean by the expression.
We do not mean any change i'll the
form of government. 1t is the most
perfect form Of government that the
hands of Christian men ever struck off
at one time. (-Applause.) But it was all
preached from Catholic pulpitS and
illustrated in the discipline Of the
Catholic church. before America was
discovered.
But how are we to bring the peo-
pie of the United States to that Catho.
lie faith from which their government
is Il logical deduction?' asked Mr..
Cochran. THE priests alone cannot
do it. The laymen must be impressed
into service, with the scope and zeal
which marked their apostolate in the
days of the primitive church.
Then he specifically bespoke for this
apostolate the % young graduates be-
fore him. What must they do: Give
up the business or professions which
they had planned as their life careers.
and devote themselves formally to
work? Not at all. Follow
your careers in the world. don't ask
you to give up any legitimate plan or
hope. l don't propose to you VOW
of poverty l want you to have sue
SeSS III llle cuffelll, human 1cceDta~
ton of that word. Be the best posi-
ble lawyers doctors, or business men.
Get rich, too, by any and every honest
method.
81 ask nothing of you but that. mind
full and worthy of the philosophical and
training you have received in
Boston College, you will work for the
same things as other men of the
world. but with a different motive.
Christ Himself has indicated the short
cut to lawful success, even for this
world. Seek first the Kingdom Of
God and His justice, and all things else
shall be added unto YOU
"By your example as honest, intelli-
gent, religious minded men in the
courts. in politics, in medicine in bust
ness, by your dominant motive to hon.
or your church and serve your coun-
try, you will secure the supreme end,
and success for this world as well.
'But the opportunity? If you make
yourself fit for the work you want to
do, the opportunity will come to you. It
must. If word goes forth of gold
rniro al ho Nor%l, Do1o ~, IL.