cated special gifts and light to inquire into, to judge and command in all matters which pertain to faith. To them alone, He has intrusted the holy ark which bears the deposit of the Faith. To them He has given the privilege and the duty to watch over the flock and to direct its actions. Yet one who has never been called by God, who has never had hands imposed upon him, who has never been intrusted with the care of the Church, presumes to sit in judgment upon God's ministers, arguing against the expediency of this or that measure, criticising the wisdom of this or that command. This is, indeed, a spectacle, which, if it were not criminal and rash in the highest degree, would be almost ridiculous in its self-conceit. The harm that is done by such men is incalculable, and is more frequent than appears at first sight. In the children that breathe such an atmosphere it begets suspicion and distrust, and the child that grows up a listener to such conversations can never be anything but a lukewarm and half-hearted Christian, full of presumption, and indifferent to the voice of the Church. In those who differ with us it begets contempt for the Faith, if it does not already exist, and fosters it where it is already flourishing. No greater enemy does the Church know than he who thus scatters broadcast the seeds of scepticism and disobedience. From open enemies we expect hostility, but horrible is the crime of the child fostered and nurtured in the bosom of the Church who yet weakens her influence upon men by uncalled-for criticism and baneful disrespect. There remains the last and perhaps the most important duty of propagating respect and love for our Holy Faith by the example of a good life. Some may validly plead lack of ability to study the doctrines of the Church very deeply. To some God has given greater intelligence and mental ability than to others, and therefore some will be less capable of propagating the blessings of faith by means of conversation, argument, and discussion than others, yet each one is bound to do so according to the ability which God has given him. But no one can plead inability to sow the seed of religion in others by the influence of good example; and of the two there can be no doubt which is the more efficient. Indeed what consistency would there be in knowing the Faith, and professing it by word of mouth, and yet practically ignoring or denying its principles in the actions of daily life? In the early days of Christianity, the very lives of the little Christian band, so full of charity for one another, so self-devoted, so earnest and sincere in the practical application of the principles of their religion to daily life, made a profound impression on the pagan world. Unbelievers were at first struck by the singular holiness of their characters, and from that were led to inquire into the reason of it, and became Christians, even when they knew that for such an act martyrdom stared them in the face. A little act, one simple deed of charity or forbearance, will often produce a more lasting effect than a whole volume of learned arguments. It would be doubly criminal in us not to follow out in practice those principles of conduct which we know are taught us by our Holy Faith. For knowing the boundless love of God for our souls and having at hand all those holy means of strength which the Sacraments alone can give, it would be shameful if those who have neither our belief nor the fountains of help which we possess, excelled us in the charity of their deeds, in the holiness of their lives and the sincerity of their conduct. “Ye are the light of the world," said Christ to His Apostles, and to each Christian the same words must be addressed. In the religious life of each Christian God's face must be reflected, so that the observer may see imaged there the principles of the true Faith, and may understand what that Faith is. Thus by our deeds even more than by words shall we perform this great duty so earnestly impressed upon us by our Holy Father. To fulfill this obligation, however, we cannot rely upon ourselves. We know, alas, how utterly incapable we are of furthering by our own powers that knowledge and love of the true Faith. So far are we at times from doing the duty of apostles, that we often feel in ourselves the absence of that abiding spirit of faith that is necessary for our own salvation. Where then are we to obtain this increase of zeal, of knowledge, of piety, and devotion? First by prayer. Since we must spread the blessings of our faith to others, it is first necessary that we strengthen our own. We must then, kneeling humbly at the foot of the altar, beg God to enliven our Faith and increase our Love. Secondly, we must pay more earnest attention to the word of God, in sermons and instructions, and occupy ourselves more in studying and reading books which will make us more conversant with the principles of our Faith, and will furnish us with answers and arguments that will serve, in conversation or discussion, to convey to others the true motive of our religion, and thus break down the barriers of ignorance and bigotry. Lastly, we must frequent the Sacraments. Thence only can be derived the strength necessary to act the Christian while we profess the name; thence as from a divine fire of love must we borrow some small spark that will make us zealous in the cause of God and His Holy Church. Were each Christian to obey thus these solemn words of our great Pontiff, how soon would appear the good results that he anticipates and desires. Let each one here present carry away with him these weighty words of the Encyclical; ponder them in your hearts; beg of God the grace to practice them in your lives and conversation; and then will you prove yourselves worthy children of the Church. He who makes two blades of grass grow where before there grew but one, is a benefactor to humanity and has a right to man's gratitude. He who causes the light of Faith to illumine one soul is already a co-laborer with Christ, and deserves and shall obtain not simply poor human thanks, but shall hear one day from the lips of God Himself the words of approbation which bring Eternal Joy and Everlasting Happiness. THE EARLY CHURCH A SERIES OF FIVE CONFERENCES DELIVERED AT THE CATHOLIC SUMMER SCHOOL, PREFATORY NOTE THE following series of conferences were not intended originally for publication, at least in their present condition. They were written to serve rather as notes to aid the lecturer, than as lectures. The author had hoped later on to revise and rebuild much in them that is unfinished, lacking in order and composition, and thus present them to the reading public in more acceptable form. Their publication was hastened by the request of indulgent friends, and especially by the generosity of Mr. W. H. Moffitt, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who, believing that the students at the Summer School who had assisted at these lectures would value some memoranda of them, defrayed the entire expense of printing them. The haste of preparing them for press will explain whatever inaccuracies they contain. I hope in a later and fuller edition to give text of references and credit to sources which I have consulted. PLATTSBURGH, N. Y., July 13, 1895. W. H. O'CONNELL. |