Gilpin observer., 1914-10-08
PEACE SUNDAY AT ST. MARY's


son, was indeed fittingly celebrated
in St. Mary's Catholic church. Spec
ial singing for the occasion was fur
nished by the childrens choir and
Mass was offered by the Rev. Pastor.
Father Naughton preached a force
full sermon and most appropriate
one for the day. He remarked in
the beginning of his sermon that on
this day in our country all Christians
in unison, regardless of creed or ma
tionality, would send forth earnest
| supplications to the most high God
to restore peace to the warning ma
tions of Europe. He commended the
splendid Christian example of our
great president in asking all the
, citizens of our country in this man
ner to unite in prayer.
I'VE of America" he said, more
(, than all others can now more thor
oughly appreciate peace and can re-
aliZe in the midst of our progress
and happiness more than at any
other period, all the blessing as
nation today which we have to be
thankful for
He declared that his remarks were
in no way to be taken as a public
expression of the merits of either
side of the war issue, for such
splendid praiseworthy stand of nell
trality which the president himself
had taken and which, both in word
and deed. he had likewise asked the
American people to uphold After
describing the horrors of war as the
destroyer OF nations, the greatest
barrier to the progress of civiliza-
tion and all that means, causing such
terrible destruction of life and prop
erty and wanton disregard fer the
sanctity OF the home and fireside, he
declared that we could indeed well
learn many salutory lessons and the
world could, too, from this great con-
flict. He remarked that the war was
tribute to the human weakness of
men; to their greed for gain and
selfishness, with utter disregard for
consequences, in their desire of con-
quest The age was enlightened, yes
evidence of lack of Christian spir-
it in all this progress was only too
plain: wonderful along material lines
but sadly deficient in the charity and
justice and mercy OF Christ, which
should rule the hearts and lives of
men.
I'VE can well learn splendid les
son from this struggle and that is
that warfare against ourselves,
and against our own weakness,
against the world, the flesh and the
devil will fer every Christian soul
ever be the condition of victory.
Christ suffered intensely from His
birth to His death on the cross and
finally His glorious resurrection and
ascension was His victory and en-
trance into eternal Joy. The apostles
were prosecuted and yet their labors
in Gods church as evidenced by its
wonderful progress in face of the
most terrible opposition for centuries
and even today, indeed bore fruit.
And so likewise must the individual
soul suffer, for It is written in Gods
Lenter into the Kingdom Of Tod.
Suffering seems to be the common
lot of mankind, and suffering and
warfare will always be the pathway
to final peace and rest and victory.
What was true Of Christ will ever
be true of His followers"
He remarked also that 1t was es-
pecially pleasing for Catholic people
to pray for peace during October as
this month was known as the month
of the Most Holy Rosary. He spoke
quite at length on this devotion, its
origin and application to cur pres
ent needs.
Finally he concluded with a stir.
ring appeal to everyone to live as
real Christian soldiers, and -deplored
the sad spectacle of men and women
so often by their lives and conduct
disloyal to the Banner of Christ. He
said that whilst the true soldier OF
Christ was not compelled to conquer
the mailed ornaments of this earth
and force the shot and shell of a
foreign foe. he was compelled to dc
what was much more difficult and
much more enduring, namely to con
quer for himself and his evil dnclin
ations In the midst of various temp
tations. Only such unseen heroes
were real loyal, courageous soldier.
In the army of the Prince Of Peace
and the fruit Of reward of such con