The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-02-09
POPULAR APoLoGETlcs.
Adapted from the German of Rev.
Peter Mikes, S. j., by Rev.
James Watcher.
Al. In the Name Of Science.
(Concluded.)

(COncluded.B
81 How science" examines miracu-
( lous facts is shown in the conduct of
DIR. Ottollar Lorenz G 1000, while
professor of history at the University
of Jena, Germany, in his treatment Of
the miracles of ST. Bernard of Clair
vaux G 1889. Prof. Lorenz admits
that DR.. Georg Hueffer, Catholic pro-
fessor of history at the University of
Paderborn, has proved these miracles
to be historical. He writes: 'Hueffer
has given the proof, worthy of thanks,
that according to the universally
acknowledged criteria of historical
criticism it must be assumed that St,
Bernard has really worked many
miracles. And if the wisest of the
wise imagine that they could here
without further ado doubt and deny,
Prof. Hueffer shows plainly that the
school of history does not permit this,
that according to the rules of criticism
there is not the slightest ground to
reject what is here handed down. The
second part of Hueffer especially ap-
pears to me real model of the
strictest historico-critical proof"
And now the logical conclusion? DR..
Lorenz continues: ITO enjoy these
charming marvellous stories one must
be seated in Cistercian monastery
and ION the summer-like feast of st.
Bernard, after emptying a glass in
honor Of the Saint with the dear
al 10
on this liber miraculorum (book of
miracles). The Gothic windows ad-
nit the light through the colored glass,
from the church the ora pro nobis of
the pious congregation reaches our
GER =" in a word, the professor
laieves the miracles.
But" he says, eff the next morning
after. the feast of st. Bernard, | arise
carly, take a delightful walk into the
woods, Prof. Hueffer may not take it
amiss if I say plainly: / can't believe
u word of all the miracles Of St
Bernard. If yesterday | was edited
and touched-in the cloister, OF
course, l am today in a different
mood; in the cool morning, lightly
moved by the wind, the leaves rustic
the birds sing their songs as God has
given it to them, the streamlet flows
according to the constant laws of flow
ing water II. . surrounded by such
beauties Of nature / can not even
dream to believe in the miracles of St
Bernard"
+ According to This we41Bust assume
that there is a double science: the
one in the library and the other in the
woods the one that is studied il
books and the other denied in the
woods, the one derived from ,:storica
sources and the other acquired at the
banks of the forest stream. Or per
haps the woods and the morning
GOODNESS dispense one from the re
suits of the "stricteSt histOriO-critica
proofs"
This example is very instructive, be
cause it shows clearly the influence
of the will in the investigation of tht
truth. There must be no miracles
hence there are none! The approved
remedy against the belief in miracles
is: Look at the regular course of ma
ture, till you forget the proved excep
ton. (Cf Stimmen aus Maria-Laach
vol. Al, p. 1869
~. The Catholic and Miracles.
Objections: l am a Catholic, but
do not believe in any miracles eXcep
those contained in the Holy Scrip
lures. don't bother myself about thu
others, that's my stand.
Answer: 1t only takes a little an,
we will get along with you first rate
First OF all it is right that you believ
in the miracles of Holy Scripture
You therefore undoubtedly believe il
the divinity of Christ and in His word
But now Christ has said: These sign
shall follow them that believes: Il
my name they shall cast out devils
they shall speak with new tongues
they shall take UP serpents; and
they shall drink any deadly thing,
their hands upon the sick, and the
shall recover" Mark 1917, 49,. H
G!~o speaks of a faith that move
I1cuntains" (Matth. 1910. Hence
we must admit that miracles happe
in the Church of Christ. The canon
zation of saints is based on that
That is the theory AS far as tn
practical side Of miracles is concerned
as a Catholic you are not bound t
form an opinion or judgment on a
occurrence which is claimed to b
miraculous. You can say: l leave tn
investigation to the Church authoritie
and do not bother myself about it.
But the Church authorities wi
propose to your belief the non-biblica
miracles, e. g., those we read of in tn
lives of the Saints or those @
Lourdes. The Church demands onl
when canonizing. Saint that we be
i lieve her that certain Saint is i
heaven and worthy of our yeneration
about the reasons, hence also abou
the miracles, we need not form an
judgment That is the business of TIL
Church.
You do not sin against the faitl
of the Church by such reserve. Blu
it is another question whether you fai
against common sense, if you oppos