Evening star., 1909-07-11

1ect DAY In the Open-alr SdnClu-
ary in Cliff Haven, N Y, Car
dinal Gibbons, foremost prelate
of the Catholic Church in Amer
lea. during the past week opened the eel
ebrations incident to the tercentenary OF
tine discovery OF Lake Champlain by the
intrepid sea captain whose name it bears
In sermon the cardinal drew from the
stirring days OF the past certain lessons
which apply to American citizenship to-
day.
The ceremonies attracted foremost at
tention. Out amid the pines and beeches
an open-air sanctuary had been construct.
ed. About the framework of the affairs,
formed OF white birch. chains Of daisies
and other flowers had been draped in
blossoming profusion.
The cardinal began his address with q
review Of the marvellous development OF
the early church by the apostles.
1--WE are assembled" he continued. 'tc
pay honor to the memory of the illus
trious Samuel Champlain. who. three cen
turtles ago, discovered the lake which
bears his name. Champlain was filled
with an apostolic spirit and was burning
with zeal for the conversion of the aborig-
inal tribes Of North America. We may
Judge Of his spirit by the sentiment
ascribed to him that the conversion OF
one soul is Of more importance than the
founding Of an empire
For three centuries after the discovery
of the American continent French mis-
sionaries were Fastening across the At
lantic with the view of converting the
native tribes. They explored our lakes
t..t,, ias .,f
the risk aud often at the sacrifice of their
lives. They carried the torch of faith IL,
one hand ana the torch of science IN the
other. And, as evidence of their scientific
attainments. they sent to the mother
country charts of North America which
are still regarded as marvels Of topo-
graphical accuracy. AS result of their
labors there are few Indian tribes in
North America today which do not rev.
erence the black robe.
MY brethren, IL these men accom-
plished SO much In carrying the gospel to
the heathen, when they had no ships but
fran canoes, no roads but eternal SHOWS,
virgin forests and desert wastes, when
they had no compass hut the naked eye,
no guide but faith and hope In God-if
they effected so much In their day, how
much more should not we be able to ac-
complish in our times by the aid of steam
ships and railroads and other appliances
of modern civilization.
Yes, we bless you. oh, men of genius,
we bless you inventors and discoverers,
and we will press you into the service OF
religion and we will exclaim with the in
spired prophet: Sun and moon. bless the
Lord; lghtnings and clouds, bless the
Lord: fire and heat. bless the Lord: all We
works OF the Lord bless the Lord praise
and exalt Him above all forever
Cherish q deep and abiding love for
your country and her institutions" said
the cardinal, In conclusion. mo man
should be q drone In the social beehive
No citizen should be an Indifferent spec
tator of the moral, social, economical and
! political issues which affect the public
welfare. AS you are all protected In you,
life and property by the arm of strong
and enlightened government, so should
you all, according to the measure of your
ability. sustain the hands OF those who
are charged with steering the ship OF
| state.
"Above ALL take an active, Personal
vital interest in all that concerns the wei.
fare of religion. without which the re.
public cannot endure"