The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-07-10

the Fundamentals Of The Philosophy
Of History" was delivered by Brother
Bernadine before the Catholic Educa.
tionai Association In st. Paul.
The necessity of keeping within the
narrow time limit set by the occasion
obliges me to veer away from the in
tensive analytical mode of treatment
which the subject demands, and to
keep closely to its broader synthetic
implications. From this latter point
of view I believe the actual mode of
treatment accords fairly we'll with the
title chosen.
Accordingly, the following PROPOSE
lions are assumed to be true and that,
for the reasons subjoined: First, there
is philosophy of history; asserted as
true because derived from, end in
cluded in the priori judgment there
is nothing without reason for it."
Second. there is IL personal Supreme
Being who is the Creator and Preserv-
er of the Universe, and whose attrib-
utes as such Creator and Preserver
are manifested to mankind under the
special aspect of providential guidance.
In conconance with this truth, every
creature in this world has its assigned
final end and is actually directed
thereto in accordance with the all
regulating plan set by the Supreme
Ruler of the Universe; asserted as
true, because the proofs thereof are
established in, and by. the science of
natural theology, and are further con-
firmed by the truths of supernatural
theology.
Accepting these postulates as fun
damental principles in the philosophy
of history, the immediate object of this
exposition is to enunciate, as clearly
as may be, the law of divine provi-
dence, especially as related 10 man.
kind, and to apply it to the solution Of
the Observation-Disclosures problem
connected with the rise and develop.
ment of the Romano eutonic empire
of Charlemagne.
Holding therefore by the truth that
this world in which we live is the work
of an all-wise personal being, and that
all men are endowed with powers of
body and mind suitable to the attain.
ment of the high destiny intended for
them by this same being, 1t is reason
able to infer that real and definite re-
lations exist between the casual pow
ers of man regarded as an intelligent,
self-determining agent, and the effects
he produces under the conjoint condi-
tiOns of his personal freedom and the
concurrence of the all-perfect efficient
cause. God, through and by whom all
creatures live and move and have their
being.
Combining then. in thought, human
personality with the conditions which
govern human activity as the latter is
related to the primary course of all
activities, and then posting the de-
pendent nature of all contingent
causes, we can discern in the general
plan of the universe of which our
world is a part, clear evidences OF
adaptation and design.
These evidences connote the opera.
ton of a law, which, from the nature
of the case must govern not only the
particular isolated events and occur
rences that affect the lives and con
duct OF individual men, but extends
likewise to the vast accumulated ex
periences which constitute the back
ground of all the great historical move
ments, and mark the achievements o.
men and nations at every stage OF theil
progress on the road to social prosper
ity. freedom and true civilization.
Looking at the manifestations of de
sign as coincident with the manifold
actions and events recorded in history
and regarding the effects themselve,
as dependent upon the cooperation o
the Creator with human beings re
garded as secondary causes in tn,
scheme Of intelligent action and there
fore as capable of being rightly inter
preted in terms of an actually exist
ing Providence, the law which express
es the rationale of a divine, and hu
man agency in history may be formu
lated thus:
Historical events constitute col
lection Of effects which have for thei
mediate causes the volitions of human
beings primarily actuated by God, tn
first efficient cause of all that exist
and acts. Every action that conform
: to right reason is positively willed b
the Creator and contributes to the tru
welfare Of him who ELECTS it, and t
the external glory Of his Creator
, BY inference, all such actions promot
the true progress of individuals, of n.
} lions. and of all mankind towards th
} final end ordained Of God.
3 In this view, what is called civiliz,
> ton has as its-no of perfection
certain adapatability to aid men alon