The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-17

a living organism with a divine per- sonality. so to speak, quite distinct from its component parts, just as a mans character and personality, has real self, is not identified absolutely with the weak and corruptible parts of his body taken in the aggregate.
 Catholicism. however, is more than a spirit, while it is not to be identified with the organization called the church yet 1t needs the church for its express slon-yes, for it's preservation. It seems to necessitate some kind of wis., ible tangible manifestation.
 There is indeed an invisible church. composed of those whom God knows to be fit, but of that fitness we are no judges. and there must be for prac- tlcal purpose & visible church-whose members are not all fit, who do not correspond to their exalted calling.
 The church is not a mutual admira- ton society of mature saints, or re- spectacle citizens who have organized on the basis of their personal holiness or moral uprightness.
 "Puritanism Is responsible for this theory, and 1t is at the bottom of a great deal of difficulty that people have to-day about the church.
 1T you are going to have anything more than unity of spirit, if there is 10 be any visible unity at all, then It must be on the basis of the Apos- tolic ministry. Historically and phil osophically I can see no other basis. Personal holiness will not do, uni formity of worship will not do, abso- lute theological agreement will not do. The Holy Scriptures will not do. None or these will dc alone--for one Is a matter of spiritual judgment, another a matter of taste. another of tenn perament and training. another of scholarship-all depends upon human Judgment and opinion. Whereas, the Apostolic ministry is a matter of fact, 1t Is composed of men, The church was built upon human life and for the purpose of reaching human life, not on book or a theology but upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ Himself be- ing the chief corner stone.
 "Protestantism lacks the guarantee of continuity based upon that most depised and much maligned 'tactual succession Three hundred and fifty years of experience has proved the apostolic succession to be one of the | 11 tu 40 ro A1{ Tt is evident that no corporate of | ficial action can be taken at the pres ent time in the direction of reunion. | But we can all do our little part in | the cause of Christianity and the real ization of new and larger Catho- licism. We can maintain Loyalty and strongly the Catholic character of our own church, not to surrender the title or the idea to Rome. We can study sympathetically all efforts after a more complete and apprehension and effective application of Christian principles.
 | I've must get into at least sym pathetic touch with the genus of the Latin people.
 "We must not be afraid of the term catholic" A name is useful in in- educating an ideal.
 There is great deal in a name Think of accomplishing the reunion Of Christendom under the title of Bap- tist, Methodist. Congregationalist or Presbyterian or Protestant Episcopal We can lay more emphasis on the sac ramental system and the sacramento life. It will hold the church and churchmen together better than any thing else. A devoted and intelligent love and use of the sacraments will l tide over many weak and difficult spots and many vacancies in parish life and life of the individual.
 gro be catholic we must be prac. tical; be in touch with human life as it is. The church must not be aris. tocratic. The great glory of the Ro' man Catholic church Is that 1t reache: the masses
 "The movement may be, and prob ably will be so gradual and so gen eral that no distinct crisis will come Every age is an age of transition.
 "I have heard 1t said of New York It will be a fine place when it i. finished So it is with the Catholi, church. The city of God is always il process of construction, old building: are being torn down to make room fol larger and better pnes. and yet it i' the same city. New elements of popu lation are constantly entering in. Tn, work of assimilation and education goes on. each element bringing 1t contribution. making for universalit, and progress They without us coulc not be made perfect, or we withou