The Irish standard., 1908-05-23

day she is recognized us Il bulwark of
order, Il rampant uf liberty, and IL
light of progress. An expression of
opinion by one of her prelates on mat
tcrs OF public interest no longer pro-
vokeS instructive diStrust. but compes
! respectful attention. Twenty years
ago to mention tho attitude Of the
Church on education was not to raise
discussion but to provoke profanity.
1t was not IL subject of argument but
an occasion for screams. Now, men
and this means Justice will soon be
done. For truth is SO excellent that
she reveals herself inevitably to whom
socver seeks her honestly.
"God Bless Our Land"
The cordial sympathy will, which
our nom Catholic fellow citizcns have
greeted this celebration is then one
OF the most inspiring results Of tho
centenary, and IL strong assurance
that republican institutions arc secure
The Christian sccts no longer quar-.
rel violently over every point OF diff
ference between them. They are more
disposed to rejoice over every feature
of the faith they hold in common.
Well may wc rejoice THAT every man
to whatever sect llc may belong joins
i,, /x,1
editicc dedicated to- religious Worship
and at every f1rcsido where u family
gathers for devotion. 1t is uttered in
tho Hebrew synagogue, and in the
Baptist meeting house as we'll as in
the Catholic Church. 1t is a feature
of the Episcopalian ritual and of the
extemporaneous cxhortation OF the
Methodist minister; it, rises To Heaven
with the incense burnt before tho
sung by Presbyterian congregations.
1t is said with fcrvor by tho mother
over her babe at dawn. 1t has u place
in the Holy Sacrifice OF the Mass. ID
mingles with the petition which the
Catholic maiden breathes to the
Blessed Virgin at nfghtfall, and that
prayer is God bless. prosper and pro-
tect this land Of ours"
The 11niversality of that prayer at
testing the patriotism of our citizens
and the virtues on which IL rests JUS
tify confidence in republican nstitu-
tions. We Catholics know our gov
ernment cannot perish because We
/ have the promise Of Almighty God
that against the word on which it is
built the gates of hell shall never pre-
vail.
The Republic Will Prosper With the
Church.
Who, then, looking over this, and
recalling the events Of the last few
days, and the marvellous progress Of
Catholicism they review, can doubt
for moment the future of this rcpub.
lie, built on Gods word. sustained and
supported by an ever growing tide Of
Catholicism?
What If the skies over our heads
be coluded by doubts and fears! What
If unrest makes itself manifest or
every side in strikes, disturbances,
riots and exploding bombs! The
heavens are not as dark now as they
were when the Word in which VIC be-
lievc was finally spoken. And its di-
vine Author, hanging on the cross,
while the tender skies blackencd at
midday, said: ut is contaminated; !"
while tho mocking rabblc shrank ar"
frightcd away, and the walls of the
rocking temple were rent asundcr, and
the shuddcring earth gave up the dead
bodies Of men who had cultivated it,
before receiving into it's bosom tho
dead body OF the God who had created
it, We know that dreadful darkness
was dispcllcd forever when ON the
third day afterwards the empty scpul-
chrc was found by the disciples and
holy women, rcsplendcnt With dazzling
light, the stone rolled away from it's
opening, and the risen triumphant
Lord standing near il, recognized by
Mary Magdalenc at the sound of His
voice was hailed with the word "Rab-
moni,'' Master" That light has en-
circled the world. Before it dcspot-
ism has fallen, slavery disappeared,
liberty has been quickcncd to life.
Here it shines in fullest radiance and
| here the freedom it has created can
never perish. In this republic Jesus is
indeed Master, and He is the only
Master its citizens can acknowledge.
Where His sovereignty is recognized,
it is necessarily exclusive. There JUS
ticc rcigns impartially, liberty is as
sured, prosperity measureless and
ever growing.
This Centenary and the immense