VII.—THE FREE-RELIGIONISTS AND CHRISTIANITY, OR THE FINAL ISSUE.
It is time to draw these remarks to a close, and that, too, without even casting a glance at the speeches that followed the essay which has been under review.
We did not offer, as our readers will have remarked, a refutation of the misconceptions, misinterpretations, and errors which have been pointed out in the essay of Mr. Alger. We intentionally abstained from doing so until its author brings forth his authorities and proves his assertions, in obedience to a commonly-received maxim rightly followed in discussion, which says, Quod gratis affirmatur, gratis negatur. Besides, the Catholic Church is in possession, and therefore the burden of proof rests not on her defenders, but on the part of her assailants. Our refutations will come soon enough when we have learned that there is something to refute. But, that our purpose might not be ambiguous, we have italicized, in most instances, the words which contain the special errors to which we wished to call attention.
The opponents of the church have not changed their mode of attack, but only their weapons. They no longer charge her with atheism, as the early pagans did, or of worshipping the head of an ass, or drinking the blood of an infant, but absurdities and idle tales of the “dark ages” are trumped up and laid at her door.
Just now, as if by a general conspiracy, an attempt is made to place the church in a false position, as hostile to reason, science, education, civilization, liberty, and the state. These are the popular charges of the day, and these show at least that the “gall” of her enemies is active and “coins slanders as a mint.” Counterfeits, however, may pass current for a limited period, but in the long run they are detected and bring upon their authors’ heads grief and shame. Only truth and justice are enduring and immortal.
The true position of the Catholic Church is now, as it ever has been, not against but for reason and God, science and revelation, for education and Christianity, for civilization and progress, for liberty and law, for the state and the church; as against atheism, naturalism, infidelity, barbarism, license, and anarchy.
Let us have in this free country, where all religions to an uncommon degree are placed on an equal footing, a fair and honest discussion, avoiding unsupported assertions, refuted charges, and all bigotry. Whichever religion is worsted in such an encounter by fair and honest blows, why, let it die. If the free-religionists can clear the whole field from Christianity, as they appear to think, and invent instead a better religion, as some fancy, let them do so and come on with their new religion. Give it a fair chance, and, if their new religion proves to be a better one, let it have a joyful greeting.
Until then the Catholic Church is in possession of the field, and in the congress of intelligent men holds its high place; for all thoroughly-instructed minds see clearly the impossibility of entertaining honorable ideas of God without being Christians, and of being Christians and not becoming Catholics. The real issue, if the free-religionists can be induced to look at it, is between Catholicity and nihilism.
SMOKE-BOUND.
O cool east wind! so moist of breath,
With strength blow from the sea,
Loosen the smoky chains that curb
Our proud hills’ sovereignty;
Wake in the silent mountain glens,
Where streams grow dumb with drought,
The clamor of your lowland home—
The sea-waves’ battle-shout.
Sweep onward with your pennon clouds,
Marshal your spears of rain,
Sound in the pines your bugle-call—
Set free our hills again!
Hide them for days, if so you will,
In cloudy depths of storm;
Wrestle, as human soul should win
Its strong, immortal form.
We shall not grieve in such dark veil
To lose our valley’s crown,
That gaineth so from your pure breath
But mightier renown.
Our hearts shall greet the slanting rain,
Like blessèd water flung;
Your voice shall the Asperges sing
The cross-boughed firs among.
Like sin unshriven these earth-fires
Hold heart and mountain fast,
Each day a stronger link is forged,
A drearier light is cast.
All day the smoky shadow flings
Its dream of heaven’s blue,
Its mockery of summer’s smile,
Its vision all untrue,—
Winning, at eve, the sun to spin
Dull shadow into gold—
Bright meshes of enchanter’s web
O’er hill and valley rolled;
Hiding our far-off sunset peaks
That longest keep day’s light—
The temple’s porch called Beautiful,
Steps to a holier height.
Broad steps whose strength our valley lacks
To lift our thoughts on high.
Blow, eastern wind! give our dim eyes
Our peaks that mount the sky.
O moist of breath! with cloudy lips,
Quench these dread earthly fires
That turn our mountain altars all
To beauty’s funeral pyres.
Upon this stifling chain drop dew,
Its glamour exorcise,
That, pure as pardoned soul, our hills
In Heaven-sent strength may rise.
Give us anew their morning grace,
Their midday depths of blue;
Open the sunset gates where light
Of Paradise shines through.