Year: 1871

Father Preston on the Uaiou Between Church


and state.


The announcement made In yesterdays HERALD
that the pastor OF st, Ann's would preach on the
subject above mentioned drew to the church a
large congregation. comprising many opponents OF
the Catholic belief concerning that question. High
mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Poole and at
the usual time Father Preston ascended the altar and
found in the Gospel Of the day-Matthew XIII 10
21-the theme for his discourse. The Gospe. OF the
day. ne observed, brings before us one of the most
important subjects which can concern commu.
nity and If ever there was time especially appro.
pirate for the consideration Of this great question.
now is the day and the hour; for in that which ia
called the march OF


PROGRESS AND CIVILIZATION


the principles Of morality and the higher truths NJ
religion are lost sight or and even Catholics are led
away by the dazzling but fatal tenets which have
obtained extensive credcnce In our times The ad.
vocaes OF these principles not only threaten TO de-
stroy the foundations OF religion, bus they venture
10 lay hands on the foundations on which rests
society itself. 1t Is now quite common for men 10
talk loudly or things which they know nothing
about--to cavl with the religious truths-Lo lay
down the law through the public press and in every
other way; and they dictate to their fellow men the
course they ought to pursue without ever having
Investigated the topics OF which they treat On us It
is incumbent to listen to that simple enunciatlon or
truth IN to-days Gospel, and then TO see what are
our duties as Catholics. The Pnarisees accused
Christ OF being an enemy or Casar for they knew
that lie mad come 10 establish new order OF things
IN the spiritual world; and they thought TO entrap
Him and get Him to say something which could rem
der Him liable 10 lie brought before public tribunal.
Christ answered their question without gong INTO
Its merits. but while


CESAR HAD RIGHTS,


and the community owed him things, II was true
tnat God had rights, and tie community should pay
HIM certain things. Here our Lord teaches us the
temporal order Is likewise independent In Its aim and
sphere. And while neither can invade the domain
OF the other. the spiritual order the guide OF the
other TO It's true destiny. Tie temporal authority Is
Is the right OF government Society demands for It's
protection and man demands government In the
temporal order. IL Is pcrpctuated throughout the
ages. But alfn0ugh the essence OF the government
whatever be the form tne authority OF God is with
II, and Is with every government rightly established
There IL no authority but God for, IN the natural
orders, no man IS greater than |: and unless God
and princes decree justice,n am not bound to rem
der them obedience. Hence could


RESORT TO REVOLUTION


at pleasure; and II such principle OF revolution
be admitted there Is no more society. st. Paul
says, There Is no power but that which Is or
daned OF G0d;" and the powers tnat be are en-
titled to obedience. The spiritual power stands on
higher plain, ana has nothing to DO with the tenn
pofal sphere, unless TO guide men through It to the
destined land OF beatitude. IL nolds its credentials
from God, and every man owes obedience to God,
Need proofs be gwen OF this fact2 DID not God
himself hold communication with man through the
prophets IN the olden times2 DID lie not sustain
the Jewish theocracy and prove such BY many
miraclesY And In latter days who IL there 40 bold
as 10 deny the truths OF Christianity-to deny the
existcnce Of the Catholic Churcl-the greatest OF