The Irish standard., 1909-04-24

Johns Church at Altoona, Pa, Rev.
Morgan NJ. Shcedy delivered lee
ture on "Thc Catholic Church and the
Republic" He began by saying that
the gospel, considered only as a NOR
al CODE is the most perfect rulo that
mankind has ever received. II 1t
were only promulgated by a human
executive, it would produce Il state
of social peace, personal purity and
+, honesty, higher than any tho great
est statesman or the wisest political
philosopher had ever vcntured to con-
ceivc. 1t is, in truth. the basis Of our
modern civilization; it is the mightest
power of national development and
progress. Without 1t communities,
states. and nations, once Christian,
must lapse into paganism. Now 1t
would be. folly to deny that a great
change is taking place under our very
eyes with regard to Christianity by
multitudes of men and women Of these
latter days. Christian terms and forms
remain whilst Christian realities arc
fast passing away. There is spe-
cious outward Christianity on the sur
face OF nations and households and in
divduals but the spirit and substance
arc sadly lacking. Life and conduct
are untouched by tho saving Influence
of religion. This is tho peril of our
day. Deep working evils arc eating
out the heart Of such q Christianity.
Laxity, Indifference, false theories,
of life, material progress, q mad pur-
suit OF wealth. worldly greatness,
luxury and selfishness. unrest and dis
content among tho masses OF the pco
pie, the relaxing Of the bonds, domes-
tic and public, which bind society
these arc the dangerous omens that
arc only too visible in our modern
civilization.
No one, he went on to say, can
read the history Of Christianity with
deterioration prevailing. not over the
Church. as it is the work of divine
wisdom, but over the moral, intellec
tual and social condition Of individu-
ais and whole communities that
make profession Of the religion OF
Christ. Tho state of public morals,
the habits OF personal and social life,
popular amusement Of criminal Law.
the frequent defeat Of Justice In our
courts-thesc tell all too plainly how
far civil society has been departing
from the spirit and principles Of
Christianity. History has proven the
truth of the word Of God: The nation
and tho Kingdom that will not serve
Thee shall perish; and that, not by
judicial sentence. but by an intrinsic
law OF it's own being, which works
out it's own dissolution" Well will 1t
be for the American nation to heed
the dangers that threaten our civiliza-
ton.
Father Sheedy then proceeded 20
point out the great part the Catholic
Church can play in safeguarding
American institutions. He recalled
three propositions laid down in for
mer discourse:
"a That the growth and extension
Of the Catholic Church must always
serve to strengthen the loyalty Of
American citizenship.
(2) That the Catholic Church from
the very nature Of her work and mis-
sion must serve to make more secure
the foundations Of our American ir-
situations.
(s) That the Catholic Church is not
only force that must always tend
to support the State, but that. it is
the strongest force that can possibly
be enlisted in it's defense.
!. What, he asked, are the safeguards
Of the State? We all agree that they
are morality, intelligence and religion
; From these the republic must draw Its