Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-05

the zeal Of faith is strong TO correct
error aud restrain vice. 81 Paul, speak
ing in his '&pisilc to the Hebrews
oChap Nn Of the trumphs of the
saints of the Old Testament simply
mentions the tlrmucSS and Nivacity Of
their faith; BY faith Abcl--By faith
tuoCh By faith Noah-By faith he
that ig called Abraham obcycd :" "aud
it was rcputcd to him unto justice"
by faith they conquered kingdoms.
wrought justice. obtained promises
stopped the mouths of lions quenChed
the violence Of fire, escaped the edge of
the sword, and recovered strength from
weakness
When the inspired writer would de-
~. be the soul of stephen, he calls him
f. of the spirit of God and of faith.
,ACts, vi 81 When he would set Bar
nabas before US, he says that he Is full
of the Spirit of God and Of faith, tActs,
Y. 20.
From the day Of PcntCcost to our own
time the sublime courage and heroic
acts Of apostles. COnfcsSOrS. martyrs
have been inspired by the picty and
ror1itudc Of faith, This spirit of faith
has sustained bishops and priests in
many dangerous crises in which weak
ness of soul or error of judgment would
have been disastrous to their flock.
This is the victory that overcomcth
the world, our faith Ia word, the
unwCaried patience, the strength and
honesty Of character the ready Sacri-
fees. the painful scf-denial and iron
conquest of flesh and blood. that emo
bled the life of him whose body We are
CousiGninG to the tomb, and won for
him the admiration and love OF thou
sands, were aCtuatCd hy the strong,
living faith that gave light to his in
t"llcct and warmth IL mis- heart, enabled
him 10 live in charity with all men and
Ill" with hope Of the peace and bliss Of
God beyond the grave.
LESSONS or ms LIFE
We are gathered in this Cathedral of
SS. Peter and PAU To Worship God.
whose supreme viii the Most Reverend
Edmond Francis prcndcrgast has
obeycd in death as IN life; to unite our
prayers with the GnblOody Sacrifice of
the Mass and the absoutions of the
Church for the soul that has left its
perishinG house of clay; and to nav the
tributes of our hearts 10 the memory of
great shepherd of his flock and n
great citizen of this republic. We have
come 10 pray for his soul Self-sacrl0c-
ing Jealous, sanity rs he was, he has
been Judged by Judge infinitely hoIv
Whose incNurablC justice demands free
dom from very blemiSh before man en-
tors heaven.
Ills l,ic WAS one Of grave Duties and
tremendous responsibilities. and. beiur
nuIlaH' u" may nave failed to reach at
an times the high perfection which God
demands Of those who have been son
aratcd from men to- offer sacrifice FOR
sin 10 rule in the Kingdom of christ !:
10 u" - others an example of good
gravity. u"
Let MS pray for his soul; his souI
longs for our prayers and cares not for
our praise. Let ~ pray for him. moi
ohIy today. but Tor many days. thanking
tune to have had his example and conn
sci to edify and help MS heavrnward
Let US find consolation in the though
that before the eternal throne of tLc
immaculate Lamb, in presence of thc
Virgin Mother Of God. in the compauy
of the angels and 0C the Just made nor
feet tho great priest who is dead -
this world viii live forever to mako in
terccssiOn unceasiug for this diocese
for this province. for this country, for
the Church in all the world. Amen.