Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-23

terbury by Archbishop Landfranc II
 the year 1070, as also that by Arch
 hishop Spottiswood Tn Scotland abou
 the same time.
 Not to dwell at greater length or
 the historical aspect of this subject
 l would here call your attention tc
 this notable fact, that this whole
 hospital system which had grown III
 in the east and the west t,and to which
 the modern world owes-uncon. sciously, perhaps-its conception oi systematic and organized work oi
 mercy, was the result of the zeal o1
 the Catholic church in following the commands of her Divine aster In al most every instance the hospitals were erected by her alone, and they were always under the direct super vision of her bishops and clergy. By her laws they were made sacred places, so that in those stirring times which followed the partition of the Roman empire, when war was the order of the day, there were two places where refuge might be had, two places which the invading con- queror was bound, as he hoped for heaven, to spare and respect-the house of God and the hospital.
 "To those of you who would pursue these reflections further I re- commend the perusal of the decrees of Chalcedon, AiX la Chapelle, Vienne and latter on those of Trent; all of which will show you how zealously the church cared for, and how strin- gently she protected by her legisla- tion the rights and privileges of suf- fering humanity.
 'The founding and the care of hospital by the Catholic church, therefore, such as we are here this day inaugurating, is no new or un- heard of thing. It has been going on from the beginning. It is the normal and legitimate outgrowth of the spirit which we have inherited from our forefathers in the faith. It is the monument which we erect to the memory of our Lord stretching forth his arms to heal and to help. With us, as with the immediate followers of Christ, fraternal love is the condi- tion and the measure of our disciple ship, and if we have the faith of Christ in our hearts, we must also have the work of Christ in our hands.
 Far be it from me, however, to set at naught the work of the se- cular state in this matter of caring for the sick and suffering or to un- dervalue the philanthrophy of sol many great and good men, who though they be not of our commun- though like Nathanael they knew not the Master-are near to His spirit by their deeds, and who have done, and are doing so much | for the ameioration of their fellows
 While I think their spirit comes rom Christian traditions, Christian ideals and the Christian atmosphere in which they live-no matter what he source-they are effecting a | great natural good, which not only invites but challenges as a right the of all noble souls.
 And who shall dare to say that he who told us the story of the Good Samaritan and who commended alone he deed of that stranger in Israel, of mother race and creed, will not from he sheltering walls which they have cared for their fellows, call them llso for their reward?
 "Of course, it goes without saying hat the church aims at something higher than mere humanitarian mo- ives in her charities.
 Tt is related that when some one pointed out in wonder the Pantheon, he shrine of the pagan Gods, the pride of ancient Rome, Michael An ;elo rejoined, Yes 1t is wonderful but
 will lift it up and plant it in the leavens,' and now We see St Peters lome hanging in the skies. So also when men point out with admiration