The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-07-16
CHRISTIAN APOLOGIES.
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[ fanced I had become learned in a short time,
and flattered myself that [ should soon arrive at
the contemplation of God, which is the aim and
end of Plato'sphilosophy.
But Plato like his master, Socrates, who
sound philosophers, laid down no principles that
would lead to the knowledge of the one true God
Justin did not perceive that at the time he
devotng all the energies of his mind to the study
of Plato's philosophy. The light of Christianity
yet hidden from him. He knew that Chris
tians existed, but as they despised and perse
cuted he too in all probability, shared in the
feelings of disdain. He heard of the terrible
crimes imputed to them-arson, hatred, murder,
etc. In his Dialogue with Trypho he says II
also, when | attached to Platonlsm, had heard
of the crimes imputed to Christians but when
them face DEATH and all that wont
most to dread, without fear, [ could not conceive
it possible that they passed their lives In disor-
der and righteousness. How was it possible to
suppose that man who a lover of pleasure and
intemperance, slave to the flesh and worldly de-
lights should court death which would deprive him
of all these goods9 Far from running to meet GER
tain condemnation, would he not, on the contrary,
conceal himself from the vigilance of the magis-
trates in order to enjoy the pleasures of life as
long possibleW
How forcible and cogent this argument To
give any creed or form of religion fair test,
must divest himself of all prejudice.
JUSTIN'S CONVERSION.
profound philosopher and an ardent follower
of Plato to contemplate in silence Platos philos-
ophy, he retired to the seashore where he wished
to be alone. He tells in his dialogue with Try
pho what happened when he met venerable strang-
in his solitude. II did not expect to meet any
one here" The stranger responded: II am in
trouble, about some of my friends who are travel
ing, and [ came to see if by chance they might be
visible in point of the horizon. But what
brings you to this solitude!" Justin answered:
"As for me, l take delight in these rambles be-
cause, free from all distraction, l can here com
mune with myself at my ease; for solitude is emf
nently favorable to philosophy" The stranger re-
piled: "Ah you are one of those who love words
without troubling yourself about actions truth,
and who neglect what is practical for the sake of
vain speculations" Justin, honest sincere in quest
of truth, sought the solution of the problem only
in philosophy. The stranger asked "Does phil
osophy necessarily confer happiness" To this
query Justin replied: Certainly; and philosophy
alone do So" Again came the rejoinder of
nothing forbids it, explain to what philosophy
is, and what is the happiness of which it is the
source" Justins answer was: PHILOSOPHY is the
science of being, and the knowledge of truth; hap
piness is the reward of this science and of this wis
DOM"
Born In paganism, and knowing nothing of the
true God, Justin's philosophy was without founda-
ton and could not solve the problem of life. This
fact his companion clearly pointed out, saying: "At
a distant period of our history, long before the
time of those who pass for philosophers, there lived
men who blessed just, beloved of God; they
were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and foretold fu-
ture events, which have been fulfilled in days.
They were called prophets. These men alone had
of the truth and they announced it to
men without weakness fear; they were strangers
to any thought of valngory, and onl taught what
the Holy Spirit had given them to see and hear
Their writings still exist; whoever reads them with
faith will derive from them great profit, and will
be enabled to understand the beginning and end of
things, and all that philosopher ought to know.
They do not proceed by way of demonstration they
are sincere witnesses of the truth and, above all,
the accomplishment of what they
announce compels us to believe their words Be
Sides the miracles they performed placed their tes-
timony above suspicion. They glorified God the
Father, Creator of the universe, and announced
to men His Son Jesus Christ, sent by Him. As for
YOU before all things pray that the gates of light
may be opened before you; for no one can see and
understand these things unless God and His Christ
give him understanding
In the same Dialogue he tells the effect of the
words of the unknown man on him. "When the old