The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1954-06-11

forgot too. what manner of men we're all about him
in the world. For it is by his view of himself that
is likely to form his view of all other
We of the true Church have no excuse for not
knowing what manner of person we are for we have
looked into the perfect law of liberty" Yet we
all too likely to picture ourselves by kind of dou-
BILE exposure and to behold ourselves and the world
Of men, not only and clearly in the light of
lasting truth but also in the distorting light and
figure of this world which passeth away
On the one hand, we are too apt to keep tha
true view of humanity and of ourselves for the
hours for rather, the feeting moments) of prayer,
and TO maintain the earthly estimate of humankind
for the other and much greater, part of time in
this valley of tears On the other hand, like
ly to suppose that the worldly view, which
occupies us almost exclusively involves human
which holds with us certain basic truths of
first importance. no matter how most people dis
regard the practical implications of these truths.
For instance, it does not easily occur to us that
anyone could seriously doubt the importance of the
existence of God and of purpose in human life Nor
does II at all likely that people could under
estimate the unique importance of Christ in human
history We take it for granted that at least all who
share what is called Christian civilization have
erence or al least respect for Our Lord and that
those who disregard deny His divinity are
like the non-Chrlstian H. G. Wes-compelled TO
acknowledge His paramount Importance in Himself,
HIS teaching, and His effect upon mankind
Now, 1t appears that in this supposition are
much mistaken. Our glance into the mirror of hui
manity has been hurried indeed, and We readi-
y forget what that inattentive glimpse has re-
veaed to us. The world live in even the
American part of that world is not in agreement
with upon the importance of the central fact of
human history.
Certainly sound scholarship and sustained res-
sonlng the established facts of history make
manifest the truths that God exists that Christ is
God-made-Man, that the death of Christ for is
the only hope we have for achieving the end and
goal of existence. But the world of man rs not
deeply concerned with scholarship and reasoning.
Even the leaders OF the people the historians edu-
Gators, and journalists" unmpressed with the
tremendous importance of mans ultimate end, and
with "the thing necessary"
In its issue of May "a 1854 the magazine Time
tells us in brief and inconspicuous paragraph that
To publcize history book. Publishers Grosset
Dunlap asked panel of 28 historians educators
and journalists TO rate the 100 most significant
events in history The first place according to this
poll of pedants, pundts, and paragraphers is given
to the discovery Of America by Columbus
Has our glimpse into the mirror revealed any
thing like this TO us? Or have we forgotten? Are we
therefore unaware by of inattenton and for
setfuiness of the fact that the modern world is old
in pagansm? Have failed to see that the dread
Figure of our Redeemer and our Judge is casually
ignored and generally despsed, as among the
Scribes and Pharsees of the days of His public min
istry? So feel the shock of the current learned
estimate OF historians educators and journalists"
that the poor efforts of Geneose navigator TO find
part of the earth of Importance than the
works of God Himself to save all the peoples of the
earth that the work of human discoverer out
ranks the work of the Divine Redeemer
The second place in the publishers' poll is given
10 the invention of movable type by Gutenberg
Printing like earthly discovery outranks the Atone
ment and Redemption. Moveabe type, first used
TO print the Word of God is of more significance
than the word ii prints. mechanical device is of
greater Importance than saving Truth means of
spreading knowledge is more notable than the only
knowledge worth spreading. This is the considered
Judgment of historians, educators, and journalists"
What then, must be the real character and value
'f modern history" education" and Journalism?
The third of the worlds most important events is
an elepenway tie. Eleven events all par and
not one of them is the Event OF all events most
notable. Fourth placewith thirteen events already
recorded more important than this,--is fve-way
tie. Here, all single level of Importance, are
us Constitution takes effect ether makes surgery
painless; ray discovered; Wright brothers plane
flies Jesus Christ is crucifed."
The death of Our Divine Redeemer which is the
a document establishing government. The painful
surgery of the Cross is made of even Importance
with untroubled appendectomy. means of
photographing bone-Structure is equal TO the spir-
itual rehabilitation of the whole human race Kitty
hawk is as important Calvary. These the iudg
ments of modern enlightenment" These are the
decisions Of men supposedly educated men sup
posedly sane, men accepted leaders and teachers
Of the people,
Well this Is the world we live in This is what
the mirror shows to the observer of the image of
modern man. Here we have Progress with capital
P. Here we have the Latest and Most Upto-Date
Opinion. The Central Fact of human history is now
relegated 10 the range of 14th to 18th place in
Things OF Importance To Man!
We must look agan,--look long and seriously
into the perfect law of liberty which is the truth of
our faith, the truth that really makes free We
must realize that the world live in needs the
Enlightenment of Christianity more desperately than
ever We must be Doors well Hearers of the
Word, # the world Is indeed To be saved for Christ
as IL has been saved by Christ