The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-29
BY HIS EMINENcE CARDINAL GIBBONS.

centive TO exact OF us a loyal obedience
to the laws Of the country? This in
centive is found only In religious prin-
ciples. Religion, l maintain, Is the only
sure and sold basis OF society. Con-
vince me OF the existence OF a Divine
Legislator, the Supreme Source OF all
law, by whom Kings reign, and law
givers decree just things" convince me
Of the truth of the Apostolic declara-
ton there Is no power but from God.
and that those that are are ordained
Of God, and that, therefore, he who re-
sisted the power resisted the ordinance
OF Cod; convince me hat there Is a
Providence who seeth my thoughts as
well as my actions, that there Is an
inCorruptible Judge. who Cannot be
bought with brides or blinded by deceit.
who has no respect of persons. who
will render to every man according to
his works, who will punish transgres-
sions and reward virtue in the life to
come, convince me that I am endowed
with free will and the power of obscrv-
ing or of violating the laws OF the
country; and hen you place before me
q monitor, who impels me to virtue
Ai' i'Sdlu ~ tdIlnlN tlnbluIflfIltS
or human applause, and who restraints
me from vice without regard to civil
penalties; you set before my con-
science a living witness. who pursues
me in darkness and in light, and in The
sanctuary of home, as well as in the
arena of public life.
Religion teaches me that we are all
children of the same Father, brothers
and sisters Of the same Redeemer, and
consequently members of the same
family. 1t teaches me the brotherhood
OF humanity .
Religion, therefore, is the fostering
mother of charity, and charity is the
guardian OF civility and good breeding,
and good breeding is one Of the essen
tial elements OF the well being of So
ciety. Worldly politeness, devoid OF
religion is cold, formal and heartless;
II soon degenerates INTO hollow cere-
mony. Good breeding, inspired by re-
ligion and charity. inculcates a con-
slant self-denial. 1t Is sincere and I'M
affected, il has the ring of the genuine
coin, it passes current everywhere, and
it is easily distinguished from the
counterfeit. A stranger who would
49, " Wv Isl iililllltI LSlll
which rules in the salons Of Paris
would he charmed by the quiet dignity
n genial warmth with which ne
would be received by the simple and
religious people OF the Tyrolese noun
tains.
The Christian religion is all pervad-
ing. 1t influences the master and the
servant, the rich and the poor. II adj
monishes the master To be kind and
humane to his servant by reminding
HIM that he also has a Master in
HEAVIER who has no respect of per-
sons. 1t admonishes the servant to
be docile and obedient to his master;
mot serving to the eye as il We're
pleasing To men, but as the servant
of Christ, doing the will Of God from
the heart"
II reminds him that true dignity is
compatible with the most mental
office and is forfeited only by the
bondage of sin.
II charges the rich not to be high
Minded nor to trust in uncertain
riches but in the living God, who
''giveth us abundantly all things To
enjoy" 1t cOunsels the poor to bear
privatlons with resignation, by set
ting before them the life of Him who,
in the words of the Apostle. being
rich, became poor for your sake that.
through His poverty, you might be
rich"
In a word religion is anterior to So
ciety and more enduring thar govern
ments; il is the focus of all social
virtues, the basis of public morals,
the most powerful instrument in the
hands OF the Legislator; it is stronger
than self-interest, more awe inspiring
than civil threats, more universal
than honor, more active than love
OF country-the surest guarantee that
rulers Fan have OF the fidelity of their
subjects and that subjects can have
Of the justice Of their rulers; il is the
curb OF the mighty, the defence OF
the weak, the consolation of the
afflicted, the covenant of God with
man; and in the language of Homer,
II ts "the golden chain that suspends
the earth from the throne of the
eternal"
N,or, -Al1