The American. (Omaha, Nebraska) 1891-1899, April 17, 1896, Page 3, Image 3

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    THE AMERICAN
A CATHOLIC FATHER
Preaches From a Protestant
Pulpit In East Aurora,
New York.
lie Talk on "The Catholic ( hurth and
Americanism" in a I'nhf rsllt
Sanctuary.
Early last month East Aurora was
treated to a novel scene that of
Roman Catholic priest preaching1 from
a Protestant pulpit. The Universalist
church, where he preached, wa not
large enough to contain the crow
that turned out to hear him, says the
Luffalo'tCourier. The Incident is hav
incr a most wholesome effect on the
mind of the people. Father Zurcher'i
statement of the attitude of the Roman
church toward American Institutions
was well received, and no doubt cor
rects many erroneous Impressions,
After reading passages from the Bible
in regard to Christ washing- the feel of
his disciples, and the new command
ment of Charity, Father Zurcher said
In part:
"la ancient times the authority of
rulers waxed great, to the detriment of
individual rights. The Greeks were
famous for great men, but later on the
Romans were famous for great things,
and when the Roman Empire had
reached the pinnacle of its glory, iadl
vldual character was at its lowest dis
count. To distinguish themselves from
the common herd, the Roman emperors
ranked with their gods. With the ad
vent of those imperial idols and their
worshippers, the rights of man were
compressed within their narrowest
possible limit. Even the synagogue
brought forth hardly more than the
Pharisee, who was a mere shell of a
man, a semblance of character without
conscience, rotten Inside like a sepul
chre. Christ brought a new germ of
life for the expansion of the individual
charity the only requisite for eter
nal salvation. Those in authority are
to be the servants of the inferiors.
Thus did Christ lay the foundation of
true equality, of the rights of man, of
the American citizen. The individual
has been expanding ever since, until
it looks now as though he might as
sume his full proportions under the be'
nign rays of American freedom."
The priest then described how his
church had fought for human rights
and the abolishment of slavery during
the centuries and added: ''In the
Middle ages she fought for the rights
of property, of persons and of nations
Most of the learning in those times
was in priests and monks, and it was
necessary for a whllejthat they should
fill the civil positions. But the church
made the mistake to allow many eccle
siastics in politics after laymen were
able to run stats affairs. Political
honors are not conducive to the virtue
of churchmen sometimes not even of
laymen and the occasion was given
for what is called the Reformation
The Catholic church today and in
America! Our age, so pregnant with
prosperity and charity, promising the
fullness of the rights of man, can have
no truer or more congenial friend than
the Catholic church. Yes, it needs
her aid. It needs more charity. Many
rich individuals and corporations are
said to be withoutj'feellng. Many in
high office are not servants, but Phari
sees. Many unfortunates give up the
fight for life because they imagine that
charity has fled from the earth. Where
suffering is greatest the charity of the
Catholic church is most profuse. Where
a leper settlement is shunned by the
rest of mankind, priests will go there
and live unto death. In times of peace
and war many of her best young
women take the placesof dead and ab
sent friends around the bedsides of
dying strangers. Without children of
their own, they care for the motherless.
In the ideal republic authority is un-
felt, modest and retiring, while obe
dlence is cheerful and pleasing. The
Catholic church is essentially a repub
lic. Her ecclesiastics having no faml
lies, cannot establish dynasties in high
places. Talent and virtue are the lev
ers of promotion. There Is no olass of
men so ready to serve their inferiors,
and to go, day .and night, at the beck
of charity, as priests. Note, however,
their equality and Independence. In
this diocese the salary of pastors is
$800 a year, except the ten parishes
where it is $1,000. The pope is as
much obliged to confess his sins as the
humblest layman.
"In modern life and occupation Cath
olics cannot be under the continual su
pervision .of the church. The only
way to make safe Christians out of
them is to drill them into an interior
strength, and a certain amount of self
reliance, and to aid the growth of their
character. The combination of the
strong American character with the
Cathollo faith will, In time, give the
Catholic church the most loyal body of
men she ever had on earth.
"It may be asked whether the Cath
ollo church would use her full author
ity as a rampsrt against the waves of
sin and upheavals of lawlessness which
may endanger at times the ship of
state. Let us suppose that drunken
ness is becoming the besetting national
sin. Let ui compare the highway of
moral progress to a trolley line tin
snowdrift. The Cathollo church can
fit out her kind of snowplows and steel
sweepers. But a brewer in Catholic
uniform may sit on a beer-keg near
the track; and, if the steel sweeper
came along it might bury the poor fel
low out of sight, without damajlng him
seriously. There is a lingering im
pression among some that the Catholic
church cannot roll up her sleeve for
hard work until ber church structure!
are built. But moral character is
worth more than stately buildings; the
cathedral of Milan is of less value than
the temple of one bumble but pure soul,
Very often, too, the church was too
saving of her steel sweepers, because
she was afraid that her aid was not
wanted, on account of a lack of confi
dence between Catholics and non
Citbolics.
"Sometimes it is objected that the
Catholic church is opposed to the pub
lic school. She knows too well that
popular education is even more neces
sary In a republic than any whera else
We scarcely ever loose an educated and
virtuous member, but we loss thou
sands among- the uneducated. The
false report wasicaused largely by ec
cleslasticswho were educated In Eu
ropa, and who mistook the geniui
of America for a spirit of revolu
t on and unbelief. They held that no
Cathollo child could attend public
schools. This was condemned by Car
dinal Satolll land the pope within the
last four years. The great principle to
which the Catholic church addresses
is the safe-guarding of the moral con
duct of the children. But in this the
people In general seem to agree.
"Equality.simpliclty and frugality are
charming virtues In any republic. Our
fasting laws produce frugality and
health of body and mind. The absti
nence from meat on Friday is not only
an act of self-denial, a reminder of the
death of Christ on a cross on a Friday,
a slight penance for our sins, but a rest
for the stomach from strong food one
day out of seven. Lent is one of the
best blood purifiers and a cheap spring
medicine. Lincoln and most all great
Americans were noted for frugality
and modesty. Let us hope that the
vicious importations from foreign snobs
concerning stylish idlers, feasting glut
tons and dress-parading struts will
never be popular in America.
'Republics are fond of teaching by
example the lives of their bestclti
zens. As an artist takes the best works
of art for models, the Cathollo church
holds up the lives of her saints as pat
terns of virtue. She gives divine wor
ship to no saint not even to the great
est one, the mother of Christ. She
honors them as benefactors of the race,
and invokes their Intercession as
friends of God.
"The Catholic church adapts her
self to the particular needs of America
Eternal law cannot be modified. It is
always wrong to steal; (two and two
never make five. That alone la perfect,
infallible and unchangeable truth
which is part of the divine or moral
law, as perfect art is perfect nature
But in all laws which are human, or
made by popes and bishops, there may
consistent change. A notable instance
of this was the recent permission of the
pope to American Cathollo working-
men to use meat on Wednesdays in
Lent, with the approval of the bishops.
Archbishop Katzer of Mllwaukkee, and
Bishop Messmer, of Green Bay, in
publishing the above permission to
their people, recommended abstinence
from alcoholic beverages Instead of
meat on those days.
"In conclusion, I thank1 you and your
pastor for your kind reception at this
splendid meeting. May Godi bless,
may He bless and guard the noble des
tinies and aspirations of America."
If the pope is infallible, what-has he
to confess?
The Law Overruled.
The Washington (D. C.) Star, In Its
report of the proce3dlngs of a trial of a
woman arrested for bigamy, publishes
the following evidence offered by a
priest who had been summoned as a
witness. After several witnesses had
testified, Father McAfee, now of Wood
stock, Md., but formerly of St. Aloyslus
church, this city, was called and stated
that he performed the marriage cere
mony which united the defendant aud
Robert M.Frost at St. Aloysius church,
August 3, 1892.
Attorney Cook asked: "How was the
marriage ceremony performed, Father
McAfee?"
"According to a dispensation from
the cardinal," answered the priest.
Where is that dispensation?" asked
the attorney.
"Among my papers. It is of a pri
vate ecclesiastical nature," replied the
the priest.
"Do you mean to say that there were
any circumstances connected with the
marriage that cannot be made public?"
queried the attorney.
"There are certain enactments of the
church that overrule the law!" de
clared the priest.
There It is. "Certain enactments of
the church that overrule the law," and
the law of our land can be overruled
right at our seat of gevernment by the
pope, through a cardinal.
We advise all un-American cringers
to read that last answer again. Inde-
pencttnt Leader.
iuiv iviiuvii m m v 1 i u u u
U10 IIUIUJI UUUH llil 1UH HUM!
BISHOF J. V. MCNftMftRft,
The Converted Priest, has brought through
Press nis New Book, entitled
"Rev. Mother Rose
A Bishop and
Two Priests'
It Is a startling, instructive and reliable volume a1 damaging exposure of
Romish clerical and political Intrigue,
Impurity.
The opening pages show that "Mother Rose" is a real Nun, and Is now
Superioress of a leading convent. That Bishop's name, station and character
are fearlessly given, also the names oMhose "Two Priests," who are prominent
Romish "Fathers."
This book introduces to you penonally this "Mother," this Bishop and
those "Fathers," for all played prominent parts in what the volume exposes
The book excites indignation at the deccitfulness and rapacity of Rome,
It arouses positive detestation of Jesuitism, and will prove a magazine of
power in coming political struggles.
It Is a book of 214 pages, and will be
the United States and Canada on receipt
Single Codu-
Special terms to dealers ordering in
your friends, and send yout orders in at once to
American Publishing Co.,
THE PROMISED LASD.
Why the Tourist, Traveler and Student
Should Ylslt Utah.
There are two reasons, either one of
which ought to be conclusive with
every American citizen.
First: The trip from Denver to Utah
via Rio Grande Western, "Great Salt
Like Route," is the grandest to be
f Mind anywhere on the continent. No
European trip of equal length can com
pare with it In variety and grandeur of
scenery and wealth of novel Interest.
Second: You should go because, when
you have made this wonderful trip, you
will find Utah at the end of It Utah,
one of the world's famous spots, and a
land of gold, silver, copper, Iron and
coal; of lofty mountains and fertile val
leys; of vineyards, fruits and flowers.
Salt Lake City, the capital, Is of great
interest on account of its historical and
religious associations. Here are Hot
Thermal Springs, Warm Springs, Sul
phur Springs, Sanitarium, Parks,
Drives, Canyons and the most health-
ul climate on earth. Great Salt Lake,
with the new and beautiful Saltair
Beach Resort, of Moorish design, has
no equal In America. Write to F. A.
Wadietgb, salt LAkeuny, tor copies or
pamphlets, etc.
American Patriotic Papers
The following is but a partial list
and does not give the particulars,
which the editor had hoped to give,
but will be more representative in the
future:
American. Kansas City, Missouri.
Weekly, $2.00 a year.
American. Omaha, Neb. Weekly,
$2.00 a year.
American. Chicago, 111. Weekly,
$2.00 a year.
Blade, Aurora, 111., weekly; $1.00.
American. Memphis, Tenn. Weekly,
$1.00 a year.
American, The. 1146 D Street, San
Diego, Cal. Weekly, $2.00 a year.
American Citizen. Boston, Mass.
Weekly, $2.00 a year.
American Eagle. Kansas City, Kas
Weekly, $1.00 a year.
American Patriot. 819 Market, San
Francisco, Cal. Weekly, $2.00 a year.
A. P. A. Magazine. Box 2607, San
Francisco, Cal. Monthly, $3.00 a year.
Banner of Liberty. Cleburn, Texas.
Weekly, $1.50 a year.
Boston Dally Standard. Boston,
Mass. 6 days a week, $6.00 a year.
Denver (Col.) American. Weekly,
$2.00 a year.
Freedom's Banner. Louisville, Ky.
Weekly, $1.00 a year.
Independent. Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Weekly,$1.00ayear.
Independent Leader. Bridgeport,
Conn. Weekly, $1.50 a year.
Justice. Louisville, Ky. Weekly,
$2.00 a year.
Liberty. Galesburg, 111. Weekly,
$1.50 a year.
Nation, The. Omaha, Neb. Monthly,
$1.00 a year.
Patriotic American. Detroit, Mich.
Weekly, $2.00 a year.
Portlander. Portland, Ore. Weekly,
.00 a year.
Protestant Standard. Philadelphia
Penn. Weekly, $2.00 a year.
San Francisco (California) American.
Weekly, $1.00 a year.
pint or seventy-bix. Seattle, wasn.
Weekly, $1.00 a year.
Tocsin. Los Angeles, Cal. Weekly,
1.00 a year.
Toledo American. Toledo, Ohio.
Weekly, $1.50 a year.
True American. St. Louis, Missouri
Weekly, $1.00 a year.
United American. Washington, D.
C. Weekly, $1.00 a year.
W. A. P. A. Rock Island, Illinois.
Monthly, 50c a year.
and pulls the veil off confession-box
mailed free of postage to any part of
of price.
25c.
quantity. Piesse shew this circular to
Examiner, Butte, Mont. Weekly.
America, or Rome, Pine Bluff, Ark
American Opinion, Rock Island, 111.
American Protestant, Cincinnati,
Ohio.
American Citizen, Tuscumbla, Wash
ington. Chicago Sentinel, Chicago, 111.
Erie Advertiser, Erie, Pegn.
Loyal American, Altoona, Penn.
Leader, Bridgeport, Conn.
Lowell Herald, Lowell, Mass.
Primitive Cathollo, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Progressive American, Lebanon, Pa.
Southern Eagle, Augusta, Georgia.
Triumph of Thought, San Francisco,
Cal.
Wisconsin Patriot, Milwaukee, Wis.
American, Cripple Creek, Col.
Weekly, $2.00 a year.
UTAIl-TIIE 45TH STATE.
The Homesockor's Promised Land.
The territory of Utah entered the
Union of States on January 4th, 1896,
with a population of about 200,000 peo
ple and a climate unsurpassed in the
wide world. It is richer in agricul
tural resources than any other state.
It has within its borders nearly all of
the known minerals and metals gold,
silver, copper, iron, tin, etc., in abun
dant quantities. It has, best of all, a
health-giving climate, always temper
ate in summer and in winter. It has
hot sulphur springs, and is in fact one
large sanitarium. Utah is the ideal
place to build a home in which to
spend the balance of your days, sur
rounded by farm and orchard which
guarantee all the necessities and most
of the comforts of life. There are mil
lions of such homes now awaiting set
tlement. Send to F. A. Wadlelgh,
Salt Lake City, for copies of Utah
pamphlets. It will pay you to post
yourself on the merits of the new state,
which has been amply termed "The
Promised Land."
9200.00 IN WOLD GIVEN
For Selling a Book of Great Interest and
Popularity "Story of Turkey and
Armenia," With a Fall and Graphic
Account of the Massacres.
R. H. Woodward Company, Balti
more, Md., are offering $200.00 to any
one selling 200 copies of their new
book, "Story of Turkey and Armenia."
This is a work of great Interest and
popularity. Many agents sell 15 copies
a day. A graphic and thrilling ac
count Is given of the massacres of the
Armenians which have aroused the
civilized world. Agents are offered
the most liberal terms and premiums,
Freight paid and credit given. Write
them Immediately. tf
Mexican Veterans, Attention.
Should this notice be read by any of
the surviving comrades of the Mexican
war of 1846, serving under General
Kearney, In Colonel Doniphan's division,
who knew a comrade by the name of
Joseph D. N. Thompson, of Missouri,
who was of medium height, light com
plexion, brown hair, blue eyes and 35
years of age, and was born in White,
Clay county, Tenn., of Irish parents,
they will confer a favor on his heirs
by writing and will be reimbursed for
expense of postage. Address all let
ters to Mrs. Rachel T. Zook,
4339 Lake St., Omaha, Neb.
Won't each reader of this paper in
duce one friend to subscribe during the
coming week? Friends, please put
your shoulder to the wheel! Who can
not afford The American at the pres
ent price?
Patronize those who advertise in the
American papers. By doing this you
will greatly assist the cause.
Fifty Years Tv?E
Church of Rome
if .i
y
1 yc&m) i: 4
By Rev. Charles Chinjqtjy.
TPIIIS is, without exception, the best work extant on the
subect of the corrupt practices of the Roman Catholic
Church ami its priesthood.
It tells of the abominable and licentious practices of'prieeta
and nuns in the RoruLsh nunneries and monasteries in language
convincing and entertaining. In short, it is a book that is wor
thy of a place in any Library.
The usual price of this book is 12.25, in cloth, but by a
special arrangement with the publisher, wewill send it postpaid
to any address in the United States for
$2.00,
It reveals the Jesuitical plot to assassinate PRESIDENT
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, giving a brief history of thegreat
crime, which shocked the whole
AMERICAN
Americanism
or KoirnanDSinr.,
Which?
"The book la of great value." Wcafojan MJJiodisL
This book is excellently bound in cloth and printed in good,
clear type. If sent by mail, 10
postage. Address all orders to
The Greatest Book Ever Written
On Romanism and Jesuitism
IS REV. O. E. MURRAY'S
Black Pope,
Contains SOO Pages,
Profusely Illustrated,
Printed Prom Now Type,
Price in Paper, 60 Cents.
ADDRESS:
AMERICAN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
4 Bk II sV
civilized world.
PUBLISHING CO.
-13 V-
JOHN T.CHRISTIAN, D,D,
Cloth,
280 Pages.
PRICE $1.00
AGENTS WANTED
"Picturesque and able."
Tin CongregationaUsU
1t ought to be put In our publlo
schools as a text-book."
Xorth Curolina iSaptut,
Cents Extra should be added for
AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO.