MASTER NEGA TIVE NO. 93-81610- MICROFILMED 1 993 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES/NEW YORK / as part of the "Foundations of Western Civilization Preservation Project" / Funded by the WMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES Reproductions may not be made without permission from Columbia University Library • # • COPYRIGHT STATEMENT The copyright law of the United States - Title 17, United States Code - concerns the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions Is that the photocopy or other reproduction Is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright Infringement. This Institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copy order if, In its judgement, fulfillment of the order would Involve violation of the copyright law. A UTHOR: BUSINGER, L C. TITLE: A CHURCH HISTORY PLACE: NEW YORK DATE: 1881 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT BIBLIOGRAPHIC MTri?nFORMTAT?r:i7T Master Negative # Original Material as Filmed - Existing Bibliographic Record BKS/SAVE Books FUL/BIB NyCG93-B4979 Record 1 of - SAVE record ^ Acquisitions I0:NYCG93-B4979 CC:9668 BLT:am CP:nyu P€:s MMD: 040 100 1 245 12 Lreng P0:1881/ RFYP.-a OCF:? CSC:? INT:? aPC:? REP:? DM: ST:s MOO: BIO:? CPI:? RR: FRN SNR FIC FSI COL M'- ^: EL: Arc CON' ILC EHL ?7? « • « ???? NYCG-LNF A0:06~08--93 U0:06-08~93 II:? GEN: BSE 260 300 LOG QD Restrict _^^ OR: POL: NNCt:cNNC Businger, L. C chard Brennan. LL.O. ^a^naj or Kev. L.C. Businger, by Rev. Ri New York.JrbBenziger Brothers, JiclSSl ^512 p. ORIG 06-08-93 TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE: 3 ^X^-.^SIP^ r>CrMT^.r.r^., IMAGE PLACEMENtTiA-I^IB IIB "^""'^"ON RATI0:_. DATE FILMED: 7-^?$::i tmittato ^ y' ?"-'^^'' ^' RESErR>-H-i?^7-.-froi^,^^'S^„^g-~-y---- //•^>^ C Association for information and image iManagement 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1100 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 301/587-8202 Centimeter 12 3 4 5 mi 'H''ii'Tl'TlT!Tl7iT'i'l''l ill 6 7 8 9 10 iilMiiliiiiliinliiiiliii i[mi|i[||[|||iliiii Inches T^ 1.0 LI 11 12 13 14 15 mm i%A mil 3.2 I A3 I I— 1^ BtUU 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 MflNUFfiCTURED TO RUM STRNOnRDS BY fiPPLIED IMAGE, INC. iF '• ■ LIBRARY « ;i; ,.5. HI ? i f "In the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth."— Phil. ii. 10. ■n M% •It' " In the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth."— Phil. ii. 10. I ■•x>^- ^MT-pl: ,A - i. 'P^ 1 '0'»'l>~ Tor tf)t '^st of ttt ea«)oIu Sci)ooIs. . Adapted from the Original of Rev. L. C. BUSINGER, bv RICHARD BRENNAN, LL.D. New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis s BENZIGER BROTHERS, Printers to the Holy Apostolic See. aiSi ^r^ I I y . / A ^ ./ J 1 f 'I #11." : i^ Ai Ij %i,.# jFor t^c 3Jsf of ttf eati)oIic .Scfjools. ^/' Adapted from the Original of ^^ Rev. L. C. BUSINGER, bv " ^' Rey. RICHARD BRENNAN, LL.D. New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis i BENZIGER BROTHERS, Printers to th« Holy Apostolic See. 1/^ ! » imprimattir. JoHi^, Cardinal McCloskey, Archbishof> of A'eTt/ York. Copyright, t88i, by Bb?:«g^r Brot„pi«. LETTER OF The Right Rev, Bishop Lachat TO THE REV. AUTHOR OF "^fl/t^bt 141. e||i;> c 1/M/^ d^.^ -^a^-ga^- Your book, " Christ in His Church," is to me a new evidence that you have taken earnestly and deeply to heart the advice of Holy jj Scripture: " The lips of the priest shall keep knowledge." Like the discerning and untiring bee, you select the fairest and most fragrant flowers in God's garden, and from them extract the sweet and wholesome honey of instruction and edification, to heal many infirmi- ties in the souls of men. Your sermons and writings, but more especially your " Illustrated Bible History," and your elegant and eloquent "Life of Christ," are brilliant proofs that you, ''quasi apis arsumentosa Domino deservisii ! " The honorable impulses of your kind heart lead you towards the youth in God's Church, to prepare for their minds and hearts, such in- tellectual food as will serve to build them up in vigorous and manly virtue. Hence, all your literary efforts point towards that divine Mas- ter who loved to bestow His tenderest care upon the young. Jesus Christ, the Origin and Completion of our faith, the Foundation of our Christian Church, is the Sun of inspiration, whence emanate the power of your acute intellect and your glowing, opulent fancy. In your description of His sacred character, in your profound conception and animated presentation of His divine economy, this peculiar talent of yours has reached a high development — I may say, complete perfection. Am I not right in telling you this? Should not the bishop, who is the father of his clergym^, be proud and rejoice at the talent and success nen, be proud and re II of his priests? Should he withhold well-merited praise, for fear that the person thus praised might be injured in his own vain and idle self- complacency? Certainly not. for whatever ability we may possess is the free gift of God, and only the fool wonders at his own success "Christ ,n His Church" is the outward expression of a pro- found and brilliant conception, a historical commentary on those sub- hme words of St. Paul: "J*sb» Chrot yesterday, and today; and the same forever." Is not the divine person of Jesus Christ what Bossuet so elegantly describes, the central focus in which centre and unite all the grand epochs of the world's history, on both sides of Calvary ? Was not all that holiness which shone so brightly in the towering characters of the Patriarchs and Prophets, the bright dawning of the light of the Saviour. who is the source of all spiritual light and beauty ? Did not Christ live, through faith and love and hope, in those en- lightened men presented to us in the Old Testament, from Noe Abra- ham and Moses, down to St. John the Baptist ? If, then. Jesus Christ lived in the Church of the Old Law, which Church, according to the saymg of St. Epiphanius. " is the beginning of all things, the Catholic Church," how much more striking and abundant must His life present Itself in the Church of the New Dispensation ? " I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly." in that Church which .s illuminated by the light of the Eucharistic Sun. and enlight- ened and vivified by the Holy Spirit of truth and wisdom ! Hence It IS that St. Paul points out this Church as the "Body of Christ " of which, by virtue of Baptism, we are living members, " flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone ;" so that he exclaims in an ecstacy of holy joy' "I hve. now not I, but Christ in me." With far better right than that of the Apostle Paul, may the Church as such, as the Bride of Christ, purchased by the precious blood of her bridegroom, apply those words to herself, and" exclaim: Christ lives in me by the miraculous power of his love and wisdom. Guided by the light of this fundamental truth, you have studied the annals of Church history, and asked yourself, if Christ, the Risen and Immortal One, continues to live for all ages in his Church how does He manifest his divine life ? This question you answer in a man- ner as eloquent as it is simple, or rather, eloquent because it is simple by giving us a series of striking pictures— a series of stations, so to speak, not merely Biblical stations, but a series of Church historical stations, inseparably joined to the Biblical, such as Bethlehem, Naza- reth, Egypt, the Land of Judea and Galilee, Mount Tabor, the Supper Room, Mount Olivet, Calvary, and even the glorious Sepulchre. You have led us in spirit to all these stations, and showed us how the mys- teries of all these stations still flow from the continued life of Christ, and continue ever to be renewed in the life of His Church. Thus, you have succeeded in bringing back to its principle of Unity the boundless scope of Church history, and in reducing to an order satisfactory to the understandings and the hearts of all, all that the Church has done for the enlightenment of minds, for the purifying and elevation of souls, for the happiness of families, and for the blessing and prosperity of nations. Dogma, Moral, Liturgy, hierarchy, Church law, monasticism, the arts and sciences, the history of the saints, and then the gigantic con- tests which the Church maintained triumphantly against the onslaught of falsehood, of brute force, of pride and of all the human and diaboli- cal passions arrayed against her. All this you have set forth in ten striking tableaux, in each and every one of which Jesus Christ is the bright central figure. Solid in its contents, original in its plan, and, according to the judgement of those who understand such things, dignified and com- prehensive in its style, your book will prove of invaluable service not only "for families and schools," to whom you very appropriately dedicate it, but also to all earnest Catholics, and most probably too, to individuals who are without the fold, and still in search of the Way, the Truth and the Life. That its readers will be countless, I am quite certain, and in anti cipation, I rejoice thereat, both for their sake and for yours. It may be that some readers would prefer that you had followed a strictly chronological order, in a work so pre-eminently historical. But these will soon admit that your plan of grouping together facts which bear to each other close relations, is far better for preserving a true and striking picture, especially for children, than the chronological method, usually followed in our large compendiums of history. More- over, I was glad to discover that in your appendix you have made a successful effort to comply with the wishes of such critics, by adding to the book a "Chronological Review" whose comparative fulness and scope, in a limited space, furnish another forcible proof of your extra- ordinary management of such diversified and widely-scattered material. Again, I may congratulate you on havmg secured for the publication of your work such intelligent and skillful publishers. For assuredly, it is not enough for an author to have written a master piece of literature. How grieved and disgusted he must become, when his book appears, and form, paper, type, illustrations and binding disappoint his expec- tations. Fortunately, you are spared such disappointment. In the Benziger Brothers of Einsiedeln you have found worthy and spirited cooperators, whose high merit indeed consists not only in their art of setting forth a book with taste and splendor, but far more in the tendency of their work to faith and the true culture of the heart and soul. May the Almighty God preserve and strengthen in your heart tlie love of Jesus Christ and of his Church Such is the real reward of your labors, which I wish you, for in that are contained all the other blessings of heaven. Please accept this wish as z pledge of my affec- tionate esteem and fatherly regard. ^h EUGENE, Bishop of Basel. ' Lucerne, on the /east of the Apparition o/ St. Michael the Archangel^ 1879. Baltimore June 6, 1881. This book in my judgment is well adapted for the use of Schools, and is calculated to impress upon youthful minds a knowledge of the salient points of Ecclesiastical History, and a profound reverence for the championsof the faith, who in every age have illustrated the Church by their heroism, their learning, and their Apostolic lives + JAMES GIBBONS, Archbishop of Baltimore. «♦* St. Paul, June 22, 1881. This book is a compendium of most useful information for Catho- lics in general, comprising as it does in brief compass and admirable plan the variform life of the Church in history, in dogma, and moral teachings, in sacraments, in liturgy, in hierarchy and religious orders, in saints and holy doctors, in arts and science, in persecutions and trials and in triumphs, showing in all these the presence and workings of Christ and the Holy Spirit in and with the Church. The work is a valuable addition to our English Catholic literature. •i- THOMAS L. GRACE, Bishop of St. Paul. Marysville, June 5, 1881. Accept my sincere thanks for the last woric which you had the kind- ness to send me, your Church History translated by the gifted Dr. Brennan from the original of the Rev. L C. Businger, author of the exquisite "Life of Christ." It is only the Divine Founder of the Church that lives in her. Unlike the founders of the empires of this world ; unlike the Alexanders and Csesars, and Napoleons, whose dynasties expired with themselves, the Heavenly Founder of the Catholic Church, still lives and reigns in Her. In vain have the rulers of this darksome world, assailed and persecuted the Church of Christ for upwards of 1800 years. The blood of the eleven millions of her mar- tyred children, has been the fruitful seed which propagated the faith of Christ. In a word the perusal of your History is sufficient to con- vince any impartial reader that the Catholic Church is a Divine institu- tion, and the only one which fulfils and verifies the words of Christ. •' The gates of hell shall not prevail against it." + E. O'CONNELL, Bishop of Grass Valley. An admirable compendium of Ecclesiastical history. ^ T. MULLEN. Bishop of Erie. London, Ont., June 3, 1881. • * * I find it an excellent work of its kind, presenting the facts of Church history in a clear, concise, and yet comprehensive, manner. It is an interesting, edifying, and instructive book, admir- ably adapted for the use of Catholic families and as a prize-book for our Colleges and Convents. I wish it an extensive circulation. + JOHN WALSH, Bishop of London. « ♦ > Buffalo, June 13, i88i. I am pleased to see the work of Fr. Businger in an English dress. It is a valuable addition to our English Catholic literature. + S. V. RYAN, Bishop of Buffalo. New York, June 9, i88i. I hare received exemplar of the work, a Catholic Church history, edited by you, with the imprimatur of His Em. Cardinal McCloskey! This highly instructive and interesting work I consider very useful for family use, and therefore I heartily recommend it to the faithful of my Diocese. + FRANCIS MORA, Bishop of Montery and Los Angeles, Cal. «» » P» Cloud, Minn., June 9, 1881. You liad the kindness to send me a copy of Fr. Brennan's transla- tion of Father Businger's "Church History," for which accept my thanks. Fr. Businger's name as the author, and Fr. Brennan's as the translator, are in itself a great recommendation, and still more so is Bishop Lachat's letter. - I must say that I wish it may have a large circulation in this country. It is short but contains all the essen- tials and is as instructive as it is edifying. 4- RUPERT SEIDENBUSH, O. S. B. Bishop. •■ » » ' Natchez, June 3, 1881. Whatever comes from the pen of Father Businger is well written. The reading of this book makes a Catholic feci proud to belong to a Church, which in time of persecution and peace is evidently the work of God. F. JANSSEN, Bishop of A atcehz. OONTEI^TS. PACIE Preface : Chapter I.— The Church and Her History. 1. What the Church is H 2. Why the Church is the Pillar and Ground of Truth 16 3. What is Church History ? 21 4. Whence are derived the Truthful and Genuine Itecitals of Church History ? 23 5. False Church History T 25 Cil\pter II.— History of the Christian Missions. 6. The First Congregation at Jerusalem 27 7. The Life and Mission of St. Peter 29 8. The Couversion of St. Paul 32 9. The Missionary Labors of St. Paul 34 10. Iniprisonmeut and Execution of St. Paul 38 11. The Missionary Labors of the Other Apostles 41 12. The Growth of the Church in Europe 45 13. The History of the Church in Asia 55 14 The History of the Church in Africa 60 15. What America owes to the Catholic Church 62 16. The Church planted in America— Its Growth 67 17. The History of the Church in Australia 73 18. The Catholic World 74 Chapter III.— The History op Catholic Worship. 19. What is Catholic Worship ? 78 20. Places of Worship 79 21. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 83 22. The History of Baptism 87 23. The History of Confirmation 89 Vlll CONTENTS. I > I PAGE 24. The History of the Holy Eucharist 90 25. The History of the Sacranieut of Peiianc:' 92 26. The History of Extreme Unction 94 27. The History of Matrimony 95 28. The History of Holy Orders 98 29. The History of Sunday 99 30. The History of the Festivals of Our Lord 101 31. The Festivals of the Blessed Virgin 106 32. The Festivals of the Saints 109 CmvpTER rV.— The History op the Teaching-Office in the Church. 88. The Church Fathers 114 34. The Four Great Fathers of the Western Church 119 35. The Four Great Fathers of the Eastern Chui-ch 121 36. The History of the Church Councils 123 37. History of the Twenty'^eneral Councils 125 38. The Infallibility of the Pope 128 Chapter V.— The History of the Hierarchy, of Church Rights, and of Church Penalties. 39. The Kingly Office in the Church 132 40. The Hierarchy 133 41. The History of Church Rights 137 42. Selection and Appointment of the Clergy— Their Main- tenance 142 43. The History of Church Temporalities 145 44. The Temporal Power of the Popes 147 Chapter VI.— The History of Religious Orders. 45. Holiness in the Catholic Church 154 46. History of Monastic Life in General 156 47. History of the Benedictines 160 48. History of the Crusades 162 49. History of the Franciscans 168 50. History of the Dominicans 171 51. TheJesuits 172 52. The Redemptorists 175 CONTENTS. IX PA0B 53. History of the Religious Bodies dedicated to Schools, or to the Care of the Sick and Destitute 176 54. Concluding Remarks on the History of Monastic Life. . 184 Chapter VII.— The History of the Saints. 55. The Martyr Saints 187 56. History of the Bishops 191 57. History of the Priesthood 194 58. The Saintly Hermits 195 59. The Royal Saints 198 60. The Saintly Workmen. *. 202 61. The Saintly Farmers and Shepherds 204 62. The Saintly Matrons. 207 63. The Virgin Saints 210 Chapter VIII.— The History of Heresy and its Aggres- sions. 64. Nature and Origin of Heresy 214 65. Heresies concerning Creation 216 66. Heresies against the Blessed Trinity 218 67. Heresies against the Divine Person of Jesus Christ. ... 220 68. Heresies concerning Grace 221 69. Iconoclasm 222 70. The Greek Schism 223 71. The Albigenses and Gatherers 224 72. The Hussites 226 73. The So-called Reformation 228 74. Catholic and Protestant Teachings 231 75. Martin Luther 234 76. Ulrich Zwingli 236 77. John Calvin 237 78. The Effects of the Reformation 238 79. The False Liberalism of our Day 241 Chapter IX.— The History of the Persecutions. 80. Persecutions from the Jews 245 81. The Ten Roman Persecutions 249 82. Persecutions by the Emperors of the East 251 83. Persecutions in the Middle Ages 252 84. Modern Persecutions 255 85. The Church and the Governments in Modern Times. . . 257 ii X CONTENTS. Chapter X.-The Triumph and Glory op the Catholic Church. PAOB 86. The Triumphant Existence of nearly Nineteen Hundred Years 262 87. The Triumph of the Church in her Martyrs 265 88. The Triumph of the Church over Heathen Powers 267 89. Triumph of the Church over the Barbarians in the Days of the Northern Invasions 270 90. Triumph of the Church in the Persons of her great Pon- tiffs 271 91. Triumphs of the Church over the Heresies 274 92. Triumph of the Church in her Conversions — The Con- veris ...•••* « « , ,, litv 93. Triumph of the Church in the Arts and Sciences 278 v/onciusion. . . • • . •••••. a ««««■••••«. •(*■,«. « ^% •. 4- • n, ■ . . . aoI 94. Retrospect of Church History, according to Ages and Centuries.. •••••••• ^. 285 i CHAPTER L THE CHURCH AND HER HISTORY. I. What the Church is. "Behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." — Matthew xxviii. 20. WHEN we read in the Now Testament how our be- loved Lord Jesus Christ " went about doing good " in the land of Judea, preaching heavenly truths, imparting saving grace to men of good will, and infusing peace into the hearts of all, Ave are apt to indulge in feelings of regret that we too did not live in those happy days, that we were not permitted to enjoy his sacred presence and to hearken to his voice. Although, under tlie guidance of the holy Evangelists, we may in spirit accompany the Kedeemer all through his earthly life from Bethlehem to Calvary; although we may see him attesting and sealing his words of truth and his works of power and mercy by his atoning death on the cross, we are apt to ask ourselves: AVhat is Christ to us, or to all the generations who have lived and died during the long lapse of time since he dwelt upon earth? No one of our generation has looked upon him Avith corpo- real eyes. No one of us has heard the words of wisdom uttered by his sacred tongue, or felt the touch of his blessed, grace-imi)arting hand. We have not been per- mitted to stand with Mary and John and Magdalen under the cross, nor to be sprinkled like them with his saving blood. He has ascended into heaven, and now sits in fiif 12 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. WHAT THE CHURCH IS. 13 tinapproacliable majesty at the right hand of his Father, whilst we are living in exile upon earth. How then can we have any share in the truth, blessings, and graces of this Christ? Our question is a vain and foolish one. If we but look with the eye of faith, we shall soon and easily discover that this same Christ, with all the fulness of his wisdom, power, and mercy, is still living in our midst, as he promised to do. "Behold, I am with you all days, even Our Saviour appoints St. Peter the head of the Church. to the consummation of the world," is the consoling assurance that falls from his own divine lips. Let us therefore examine and study carefully the plan adopted by our Saviour whereby he continues still to dwell on earth, forwarding the work of salvation in all lands and during all time. What method has Christ followed in order to effect this object? He delegated his threefold office and character — namely, his teaching office, his priesthood, and his kingly authority — to a number of chosen men, in union with whom he con- tinues to act as Teacher, Priest, and King to the end of time. It was in this threefold character, that Christ effected our salvation. He redeemed us as Teacher, as Priest, and as King: as Teacher, by preaching heavenly wisdom; as Priest, by the atoning sacrifice offered upon the cross; and as King, by enacting and inculcating 'laws or com- mandments. As Teacher, he rescued us from spiritual blindness by giving us the truth of heaven; as divine- human Priest, he redeemed us from the guilt of sin by offering himself in sacrifice on Mount Calvary; as God- man-king, he saved us, by his maxima and commandments, from the folly and wickedness of life. This triple office he committed solemnly to a body of chosen men, a short time before his departure from earth. This truth can be plainly proven from holy Scripture. The divine Teacher sent forth his Apostles to preach to all nations, to teach all truth as he had imparted it to them, and to teach it with the same authority and infal- lible certainty as he himself taught it : ** He who hears you hears me." Our divine High-priest, on the eve of his Passion, in- stituted and offered up, in a mysterious manner and by anticipation, the saving sacrifice of the cross, saying: ** This is my body which shall be delivered for you, this is my blood which shall be shed for you." He committed to the hands of the Apostles for all time to come this holy sacrifice of his body and blood, saying: " Do this," as I have just done, "in commemoration of me." He gave to the Apostles power to baptize, to forgive sins, to bless; in a word, to so dispense gi-aces in his name, that these same Apostles were able to say later of themselves with truth, and with a consciousness of their power and dignity: " Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ; 12 CllKlST IN HIS CHUKCH. iinapproacliable majesty at the right hand of his Father, whilst we are living in exile u])on earth. How then can we have any share in tlie truth, blessings, and graces of this Christ? Our question is a vain and foolish one. If we but look with the eye of faith, we shall soon and easily discover that this same Christ, with all the fulness of his wisdom, |iower, and mercy, is still living in our midst, as he promised to do. *' Behold, 1 am with you all days, even Our Saviour appoints St. Peter the head of the Church. to the consummation of the world," is the consoling assurance that falls from his own divine lips. Let us therefore examine and study carefully the plan adoi)ted l)y our Saviour wliereby lie continues still to dwell on earth, forwarding the work of salvation in all lands and during all time. What method has Christ followed in order to effect this object? Hedelegiitedhis threefold office and character — namely, WHAT THE CHURCH IS. 13 his teaching office, his priesthood, and his kingly authority — to a number of chosen men, in union with whom he con- tinues to act as Teacher, Priest, and King to the end of time. It was in this threefold character, that Christ effected our salvation. He redeemed us as Teacher, as Priest, and as King: as Teacher, by preaching heavenly wisdom; as Priest, by the atoning sacrifice offered upon the cross; and as King, by enacting and inculcating laws or com- mandments. As Teacher, he rescued us from spiritual blindness by giving us the truth of heaven; as divine- human Priest, he redeemed us from the guilt of sin by offering himself in sacrifice on Mount Calvary; as God- man-king, he saved us, by his maxims and commandments, from the follv and wickedness of life. This triple office he committed solemnly to a body of chosen men, a short time before his dei)arture from earth. This truth can be i)lainly proven from holy Scripture. The divine Teacher sent forth his Apostles to preach to all nations, to teach all truth as he had imparted it to them, and to teach it with the same authority and infal- lible certainty as he himself taught it: '^ He who hears you hears me." Our divine Iligh-priest, on the eve of his Passion, in- stituted and offered up, in a mysterious manner and by anticipation, the saving sacrifice of the cross, saying : "This is my body which shall be delivered for you, this is mv blood which shall be shed for vou." He committed to the hands of the Apostles for all time to come this holy sacrifice of his body and ])lood, saying: ''Do this," as I have just done, "in commemoration of me." He gave to the Apostles power to baptize, to forgive sins, to bless; in a word, to so dispense graces in his name, that these same Apostles were able to say later of themselves with truth, aiul with a consciousness of their power and dignity: " Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ; 14 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. WHAT THE CHURCH IS. 15 and the dispensers of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. iv. 1). Finally, our divine King transmitted his spiritual prerogatives of royalty to the Apostles, with the words: ** All power is given to me in heaven and on earth. As the Father sent me, so I send you." It was by virtue of this charge that the Apostles prescribed for all the nations to whom they preached all those laws and regulations, and established all those institutions, which they deemed . The Apostles are appointed Shepherds of the Flock. necessary for the spiritual welfare,* or conducive to the eternal salvation, of men. Hence we see clearly that although Christ has retiirned to heaven, he has not left us orphans, but has been * These laws and ordinances of tlie Apostles and their successors appertain to spiritual things, and not to civil affairs nor civic regula- tions. If, therefore, the management of political affairs has been in the hands of ecclesiastics from time to time, it was in conse- quence of divirve providence, or on account of the confidence which Catholic princes and peoples reposed in their clergy. pleased to remain mystically with us, carrying on, through his Apostles as his chosen instruments, his threefold office of Redeemer till the end of time. In union with St. Peter, their visible Head, the Apostles were to trav- erse the earth, preaching, dispensing graces, ordaining, and becoming fishers of men, in order to bring all men to a share in the benefits of truth, grace, and salvation through Christ. They were to unite them to Jesus him- self in oneness of life, and to join them together in one large and glorious mystical body, of which Christ was to be the invisible Head. Such was the duty imposed by Christ on his Apostles. But the Apostles were mortal, and died, one after the other, during the first century of Christianity, whilst the three- fold office of teacher, priest, and ruler committed to them by Christ should endure till the end of time. Hence it is clear that when the divine Founder of our Church im- parted this threefold power to his Apostles in order to perpetuate his Church, he meant not only the twelve men standing there and then in his presence. His divine gaze extended to all their lawful successors, the Popes, bishops, and priests to the end of the world, as if they all stood in his presence when he spoke. In this sense it was that he said to them all: *' Lo, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." The Apostles, therefore, and their legitimate successors are the persons to whom Christ entrusted the duty of forming in his name, among all nations and in all ages, a holy community or spiritual society; or, rather, of ex- tending and strengthening the original society established by himself. This spiritual society, consisting originally of the Apostles, disciples, and a few devout believers, became like the mustard-seed of the ]mrable, a great tree whose branches were spread over all the earth. And this is the universal or Catholic Church, in 'which Christ, by the ii 14 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. and the dispensers of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. Finally, our divine King transmitted his spiritual prerogatives of royalty to the Apostles, with the words: "All power is given to me in heaven and on earth. As the Futher sent me, so I send you." It was by virtue of this charge that the Apostles prescribed for all the nations to whom they preached all those laws and regulations, and established all those institutions, which they deemed . The Apostles are appointed Shepherds of the Flock. necessary for the spiritual welfare,* or conducive to the ©ternal salvation, of men. Hence we see clearly that although Christ has returned to heaven, he has not left us orphans, but has been * These laws and ordinances of the Apostles and their successors appertain to spiritual thini^s. and not to civil affairs nor civic reirula- tions. If. therefore, the raanafl^ement of political affairs has been in the hands of ecclesiastics from time to time, it was in conse- quence of divine providence, or on account of the confidence which Catholic princes and peoples reposed in their clergy. WHAT THE CHURCH IS. 15 pleased to remain mystically with us, carrying on, through his Apostles as his chosen instruments, his threefold office of Redeemer till the end of time. In uiuon with St. Peter, their visible Head, the Apostles were to trav- erse the earth, preaching, dispensing graces, ordaining, and becoming fishers of men, in order to bring all men to a share in the benefits of truth, grace, and salvation through Christ. They were to unite them to Jesus him- self in oneness of life, and to join them together in one large and glorious mystical body, of which Christ was to be the invisible Head. Such was the duty imposed by Christ on his Apostles. But the Apostles were mortal, and died, one after the other, during the first century of Christianity, whilst the three- fold office of teacher, priest, and ruler committed to them by Christ should endure till the end of time. Hence it is clear that when the divine Founder of our Church im- parted this threefold power to his Apostles in order to perpetuate his Church, he meant not only the twelve men standing there and then in his presence. His divine gaze extended to a!! their lawful successors, the Popes, bishops, and priests to the end of the world, as if they all stood in his presence when he spoke. In this sense it was that he said to them jiU: *' Lo, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world." The Apostles, therefore, and their legitimate successors are the persons to whom Christ entrusted the duty of forming in his name, among all nations and in all ages, a holy community or spiritual society; or, rather, of ex- tending and strengthening the original society established by himself. This spiritual society, consisting originally of the Apostles, disciples, and a few devout believers, became like the mustard-seed of the i^arable, a great tree whose branches wTre spread over all the earth. And this is the universal or Catholic Church, in which Christ, by the in N I I:i 16 CHRIST IN lilS CHURCH. instrumentality of liis Apostles and their successors, per- petuates forever his work of salvation and applies it to each individual soul. His truth, his saving grace, his redeeming sacrifice, all his merits as God-man from his birth to his death — these are the glorious treasures of this society, the riches of that grand corporation in which each member, who has been duly admitted by baptism, has a right to participate. Therefore, when we speak of the Church we understand that holy society in which Jesus Christ exercises throughout all ages, by the instrumental- ity of the Apostles and their successors, the bishops and priests, his threefold office of Teacher, Priest, and King. If the Church were a mere association of persons holding the same tenets, differing in no way from any other human society, It would not be the '* mysterium fidei," or the mystical body of Christians united to Christ. But the Church embraces, besides the visible — that is to say, the laity of all nations and their ecclesiastical authorities — also the Invisible ; namely, the inheritance of Christ's merits and the merits of his Saints, the treasures of truth and goodness, as well as supernatural guidance. It thus becomes a sublime mystery of faith, and hence the Chris- tian can truthfully say, and with meaning, **I believe in one Holy Catholic Church." J. 2. Why the Church is the Pillar and Ground of Truth. Why she shall always continue such. •* The bouse of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." — 1 Timothy iii. 15. It is beyond all doubt that our divine Founder en- trusted to the Apostles and their successors the duty and the power of directing his holy Church in sanctity and truth, and of leading all men into her fold. They had a very difficult and onerous duty to perform. The work ■^' THE CHURCH THE PILLAR OF TRUTH. 17 was far above human strength and sagacity, while the Apostles themselves, as well as their successors, the bishops and priests of the Church, were mere men, liable to death and sin, and exposed to error and changes. How could such incapable men accomplish this superhuman task? And granting that the Apostles had been confirmed in their faith, in sanctity of life, in zeal for God's king- dom upon earth, by Jesus Christ himself, and hence succeeded in preservmg pure and unchanged his saSred legacy of truth and holiness among the nations of their times, how could their successors in the course of cen- turies be expected to enjoy similar strength and holiness ? Whence were they to draw it ? Alas ! poor human nature is sadly prone to whims, to passion, to instability and change. And will not this corruption of human nature 80 affect the leaders in God's Church that in a few years after the death of the Apostles the work of Christ will languish, die, and be forgotten ? How many societies have been established within the lapse of eighteen hundred years, many with the very best and most laudable ends in view; founded, too, in the wisdom and experience of wise men, and carried on with prudence and sagacity ! Yet in the course of time evil crept in, they changed, became corrupt, fell to pieces, and have long since been forgotten even in history. Will not the society of the Church encounter a similar fate? Certainly not; for, glory, honor, and praise be to God! this society has not only been founded by Christ, but he has moreover infused into it for all time a divine vital power. He has sent truly his own Holy Spirit, as is related in the Acts of the Apostles in the following words of the Evangelist St. Luke: "And when the days of the Pentecost were accom- plished, they were all together in one place. And sud- denly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they fn' J 18 CHKIST IN HIS CHURCH. were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. Now there were dwell- ing at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind. The Descent of the Holy Ghost. 'because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were all amazed, and wondered, say- ing : Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans, and how have we heard every man our own tongue wherein we were born ? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Jude.i, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphilia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Gyrene, and strangers . of Kome, Jews also, and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians; THE CHURCH THE PILLAR OF TRUTH. 19 we have heard them speak in our own tongues the won- derful works of God. And they were all astonished, and wondered, saying one to another, What meaneth this? But others mocking, said: These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleverf, liftea up his voice and spoke to them; Ye men of Judea, and all jou that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and with your ears receive my words; for these are not drunk, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass, in the last days (saith the Lord), I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And upon my servants indeed, and upofl my handmaids, will I pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you also know; this same, being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and fore- knowledge of God, you, by the hands of wicked men, have crucified and slain. This Jesus hath God raised again, whereof all we are witnesses. Being exalted there- fore by the right hand of God, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath poured forth this which you see and hear.'X From all this, we cau understand why the Catholic Church is the only one among all the institutions upon the earth that remains unchanged and unchangeable; why, with her, truth has never been adulterated or ob- scured, even in the ages of darkest ignorance in the world; why her saving graces, amid all the corruptions of men, have never been weakened nor diminished. She was made immortal for all time by the infusion of God's breath, the Holy Ghost, on the day of Pentecost. Yes, k nrr \\ I 18 CHKIST IN HIS CIIUECII. were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak. Now there were dwell- ing at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind. The Descent of the Holy Ghost. because lliat every man heard them speak in his own tongue. And they were all amazed, and wondered, say- ing : Beliold, are not all these that speak Galileans, and how have we heard every man our own tongue wherein we were born ? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Oappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphilia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Eome, .Tews also, and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians; wr ^^' THE CHURCH THE PILLAR OF TRUTH. 19 we have heard them speak in our own tongues the won- derful works of God. And they were all astonished, and wondered, saying one to another. What meaneth this? But others mocking, said: These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke to them: Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and with your ears receive my words; for these are not drunk, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass, in the last days (saitli the Lord), I will pour out of my Sj)irit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And upon my servants indeed, and upon my handmaids, will I pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you also know; this same, being delivered up, by the determinate counsel and fore- knowledge of God, you, by the hands of wicked men, have crucified and slain. This Jesus hath God raised again, whereof all we are witnesses. Being exalted there- fore by the right hand of God, and having received of the Father the i)romise of the Holy Ghost, he hath poured forth this which you see and hear.'X From all this, we can understand why the Catholic Church is the only one among all the institutions upon the earth that remains unchanged and unchangeable; why, with her, truth has never been adulterated or ob- scured, even in the ages of darkest ignorance in the world; why her saving graces, amid all the corruptions of men, have never been weakened nor diminished. She was made immortal for all time by the infusion of God's breath, the Holy Ghost, on the day of Pentecost. Yes, u > 20 ;» CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. the Holy Ghost dwells really and truly within her; that Spirit which renews the face of the earth as the Psalmist sings; that good and comforting Spirit mentioned in the book 01 Wisdom; that Spirit of wisdom and under- standing,*of counsel and fortitude, of knowledge and piety, foretold by Isaias; that Spirit which comes to aid us in our weakness, as St. Paul writes to the Romans; that Spirit promised by Christ to his Apostles, who was to teach them all things and to lead them to all truth. Since the Catholic Church has really received this Holy Spirit as her own peculiar life and soul and strength, the personal faults and failures of her visible rulers and leaders can do her no real harm. Although some few weak, unhappy priests may have gone astray, although even in remote ages of the Church bishops themselves may have fallen into error and false opinions, although a few Popes have made lamentable mistakes individually, nevertheless no general Council of the Churcli has ever erred, never has any Pope when speak- ing officially contradicted any Council or any previous decision of his predecessors in the chair of Peter. Never has any Pope uttered heresy. The divine power, which dwells and acts in the Church with mysterious and miraculous force and wisdom, is able and knows how to overcome, at all times, decay, error, and vice.* No! Christ did not wish by any means to extinguish and annihilate the human in the bosom of his Church. * That such corruption may taint not only laymen, but even ec- clesiastics, has never been denied. Thus, in the year 1521, at the assembly, in Worms, of the German princes, Aleandri. the papal nuncio, exclaimed plainly: "In Rome itself there have been abuses, even among prelates. Some of the earlier Popes made mistakes, some were culpable, some were even wicked. All this is admitted, not with pride, but with sentiments of humiliation." Then he adds: •• And yet this Rome it was which a few centuries ago declared the great St. Bernard to be a saint, although in his writings he had rebuked and reproved these same vices." w • \raAT IS CHURCH HISTORY? '^I As by the sending of the Holy Ghost he did not intend ^o dispense and free the Heads of the Church from the duty of employing the human means of prudence and re- flection, of study and of worldly cleverness, in order to settle and fix and decide truth, and guide the Cfliurch; so, too, he did not see fit to make it impossible for any one individual person to fall into sin and error. But the Church herself is always intact, pure, blameless, and immortal, even if some few individual members perish of error and wicked- ness. She remains the. pillar and ground of truth, as St. Paul styles her; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against her. n^ 3. What is Church History? "In the world you shall have distress- but have confidence, I have overcome the world."— John xvi. 33. As the holy Evangelists relate the life and actions of Jesus Christ, so does Church history describe the life and works of his spouse, who is the Catholic Church. Now as Jesus Christ continues to live in his Church, it follows that the history or description of that Church is certainly the mir- rored reflection of the holy Evangelists. The history of our divine Redeemer's life is one of continued struggle and suffering. The same is true of the history of his Church, and herein lies a powerful and undeniable evidence of the truth of our beloved Church. But as Christ, in the midst of this opposition, suffering, and contest, constantly manifested his glorious divinity, completed his work, and triumphed over death and hell, so does Church history exhibit to us, in the midst of per- secution, conflict, and martyrdom, the triumph of truth ^.^ and grace over the dark powers of this world. '^ 1. It shows us how Christ manifested himself to all >- nations by the preaching of his representatives and messengers, and how his Church spread throughout all !'! ■T"^' 22 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. nations. This forms the history of the Christian missions, or the growth of the Church. 2. It sliows how Christ continues to live in his Church as the Redeemer and High-priest in the holy sacrifice of the mass, in the sacraments and other means of grace, which by a believing people are surrounded with ever- increasing solemnity, heightened beauty, and significant ceremonies. This forms the history of divine worship in the broad sense of the word. 3. It shows how Christ has ever lived in his Church as Teacher of truth and heavenly wisdom, by leading the fathers and teachers of that Church into a miraculous knowledge of the mysteries of his kingdom, by guiding the Councils through the Holy Ghost, and by saving the Popes from error in their definitions of faith. This forms the history of the Fathers of the Church, or of tlie Councils. 4. It shows how Christ has ever reigned in his Church as King, by clothing his representatives, the priests, ac- cording to their various ranks with divine authority, and by maintaining through their instrumentality God's king- dom on earth in discipline, peace, and tranquillity. This forms the history of the Hierarchy, of Church rights and of Church penalties. 5. It shows how Christ has alwavs dwelt in his Church as the Holy One, by leading individuals to extraordinary holi- ness, and creating, especially in the monastic life and other religious associations, schools of the highest virtue and evan- gelical perfection for those whom he calls to holiness of life. This forms the history of the saints, and of religious life. 6. It shows how Christ has lived in his Church as the Despised One, inasmuch as his doctrines have been mis- represented, denied, and rejected by misguided and wicked men in all ages as in his own lifetime. This forms the history of heresy. 7. It shows how Christ has suffered in his Church as the Crucified, inasmuch as his faithful followers individually, TRUTHFUL RECITALS OF CHURCH HISTORY. 23 and his holy Church in general, have been, in private and in public, violently attacked and persecuted, wronged and misrepresented by declared enemies and treacherous friends. This forms the history of the persecutions. 8. It shows how, finally, Christ has triumphed in his Church as the glorious Conqueror. For the Church, even in the midst of her greatest trials and under severest op- pression, has won victory after victory, triumph after triumph; and the miraculous promise of heaven shall be fulfilled for all time as it has been in the past: "In this sign of the cross thou shalt conquer." This constitutes the history of the triumph and glory of the Church. Such are the contents of Church history. As the Bible history of the Old Testament describes to us how the human race was prepared for the Redemption, and as the Bible history of the New Testament shows us how the work of that Redemption was actually accomplished, so does Church history describe that Redemption still going forward and being accomplished in the Church. It shows how Christ, even after the lapse of centuries of time, is still mysteriously going about among men, as their invisible King and Saviour, and, in spite of the efforts of the powers of hell and of wicked men, is drawing the elect to himself, and sanctifying and saving them by the interposi- tion of the Holy Ghost. r 4. Whence are derived the Truthful and Genuine Recitals of Church History? "Many liave taken in hand to set forth in order a narration of the things tliat have been accomplished among us: according as they have delivered them unto us. who from the beginning were eye-wit- nesses and ministers of the word."— Luke i. 1, 3, The most ancient of Church historians is St. Luke. In the Acts of the Apostles he describes, though briefly, -**■* •_ T 24 CHRIST IK HIS CHURCH. FALSE CHURCH HISTORY. 35 the lives of the first Christians, the most important events in the primitive Church, as well as the doings of some of the Apostles and of their disciples. But the real father of Church history is Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea, who died about the year 340. His '* Ten Books of Church History" are of most incalculable value; for in them he gives us a quantity of ancient decrees, of lengthy narrations, and of decisions of Councils from the first three centuries of the Church; all of which but for his care and industry would have been irretrievably lost. The works of the great Church fathers, who for the most part have put into writing the oral traditions coming down from the first ages of the Church, contain numerous well-attested narrations of Church history. Next to these come the chronicles of pious and learned bishops and priests who, at the time of the great invasion of the Dorthern tribes, from the year 350 to 500, and also - in the middle ages, from the time of Charlemagne, about the year 800, to the sham reformation in 1518, have set forth the ecclesiastical events of their respective ages in a creditable and credible manner. Besides these we must count the well-preserved decisions of the ancient Councils of the Church, the Briefs of Popes, and the antique inscriptions which have been discovered and deciphered on ecclesiastical and archi- tectural monuments, especially those discovered in the Roman catacombs. From all these one may understand how, even at this late day, we possess positive knowledge of the early condition of the Church and of events occur- ring in the earliest ages. In modern times many able and learned Catholic writ- ers, from Baronius down to Stolberg, Mohler, Hefele, Alzog, Rohrbacher, and others, have undertaken, for the most part in very comprehensive works, to compile Church histories chiefly based on and drawn from these ancient decrees. They have thereby merited the gratitude of the Catholic world. For by their researches they have proved that many things written, by enemies, against the Popes and other prominent persons in the Church were misrepre- sentations and calumnies. They have thus successfully vindicated the honor and good name of the Church against these malicious falsifiers. 5. False Church History. "There shall be a time when they will heap to themselves teach- ers, having itching ears. These will turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned to fables. But avoid foolish and old wives'* fables."—! and 3 Timothy 4 In the ninth book of his Church history, Eusebius relates: ** Under Maximinus the fury of the persecution against us" — that is to say, the Christians — *' was renewed. And although he had full power to do as he pleased, hav- ing lately assumed the dignity and authority of emperor, yet he wished to keep up an appearance of acting upon just grounds. For this purpose he caused to be prepared certain ' Acts ' such as might have been used by Pilate in his treatment of the Saviour. Into these ' Acts ' were em- bodied all that could be conceived blasphemous against Christ. Into all the provinces of his kingdom he sent these ' Acts,' with the command that they should be dis- tributed through all the cities, villages, and hamlets. The School-teachers were ordered to dictate them to the chil- dren in school, who had to learn them by heart as exercises for the memory. " What was here done by Maximinus, the persecutor of the Christians, has been practised against the Church in all ages by his imitators. Even in very early times here- tics have endeavored, with cunning and insolence, to falsify not only the teachings but also the history of the Church. They have fabricated false ** Acts," and attri- buted to the authorities of the Church follies and crimes '^i^ """^S 26 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. well calculated, if true, to render the clergy both ridicu- lous and hateful in the eyes of the world. This contemptible mode of acting was practised to a great extent, more especially in the latter part of the mid- dle ages, by certain chroniclers in the pay of governments or kings who were at variance with the Popes. In this manner there accumulated in course of time an immense amount of spurious, unreliable, and disgraceful chron- icles which, then and during the so-called reformation, and in the wars which followed, were still further in- creased and more widely diffused. Superficial or evil-minded writers seized upon^these fables and, without questioning their historical value, repro- duced them in their books. Althougli in our day these falsifiers of Church history have been unmasked by learned Catholics and by honorable and truth-loving Pro- testant writers, yet thousands of unscrupulous novelists continue to reproduce these fabulous stories about the Church, merely changing the mode of expression, and serving up the same unwholesome diet in a later style of preparation. But the same treatment must be bestowed by the enemy on the Church as was bestowed of old on her divine Founder: ** For many bore false witness against him, and their evidence ifsm not agreeing" (Mark xiv. 56). CHAPTER II. IT THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN MISSIONS. CHRIST IS MADE MANIFEST TO ALL NATIONS BY THE PREACHING OF HIS MESSENGERS. HIS CHURCH IS EX- TENDED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. 6. The First Congregation at Jerusalem. *• Now, therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law. Call to remembrance the works of the fathers."— 1 Machabees ii. 50. CHRIST chose St. Peter to be liis Representative and the Visible Head of his Church on earth, and formally appointed him with the words, ''Thou art Peter" (which means rock), ''and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell" (that is to say, the evil powers of error and vice) " shall not prevail against it. To thee I give the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep." In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, addressed to the multitude assembled in Jerusalem, St. Peter spoke with such supernaturally effective powers of persuasion that many accepted baptism, and the first Christian con- gregation in a short time numbered five thousand mem- bers. In the beginning, the early Christians continued to observe the Jewish rites, and used to go at stated intervals to the temple to pray. Soon, however, they began to hold separate assemblages for worship, at which the Apostles 28 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. used to conduct divine service according to the ordinance of Christ, and to dispense the sacred mysteries of salva- The Acts of the Apostles thus describe the mode of life followed by the members of this first Christian congre- gation: . • ^v A ^1 ** They were persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread" (that is, the holy mass and Communion), 'Sand in prayers. " Many wonders also and signs were done by the Apos- tles in Jerusalem. -, i -, n *' And all they that believed were together, and had all things commoB. t -j j " Their possessions and goods they sold and divided them to all, according as every one had need. " And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they took their meat with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord increased daily together such as should be saved." Thus, during the first years after Christ's ascension into heaven, the Apostles remained together in Jerusalem, partly to fortify the new Christians in their faith and in a Christian life, and to organize them as a model for future congregations; partly, also, in order to comfort and protect the faithful in the persecutions which soon broke forth, and partly, too, in order to encourage and fortify each other by the most confidential mutual intercourse, ' and also to prepare each other for the great work of the mission. -.1.1 For the Church of Christ was not to be confined to the country of the Jews. The day was approaching when the Apostles, in obedience to the charge given them by their divine Master, were to preach the Gospel to all nations, and to cai-ry the kingdom of Christ to all parts of the world. LIFE AND MISSION OF ST. PETER. 29 7. The Life and Mission of St. Peter. *' The first: Simon who is called Peter. The twelve Jesus sent, saying: 'Behold, I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves.'" — Matthew x. What a glorious army of brave and self-sacrificing spirits rise before our vision as we enter upon the con- templation and study of the stupendous growth of the Church of Christ! At their head march Peter and Paul, with their immediate followers, the Apostles and Evan- gelists, to be succeeded century after century by hosts of holy bishops, zealous priests, and devoted monks, all chosen by God to carry the light of his Gospel into every quarter of the globe. On the very day of Pentecost this rapid diffusion of the truth began. For those God-fearing Jews who had come from many countries, and were then sojourning in Jerusalem carried the news about Christ and his Church back to their own homes, and prepared thousands of eager souls for the reception of the Christian doctrine, which the Apostles, in pursuance of their high vocation, would soon carry into every city, town, and hamlet. The most glorious of all was the missionary life of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, at whose first sermon, on the day of Pentecost, about three thousand persons were converted and enrolled under the banner of the cross. And this number was increased soon after to five thou- sand, on the occasion of the healing of the lame man at the gate of the temple of Jerusalem. But the Prince of the Apostles, besides being the first to establish the Christian Church amid the Jews, had also the privilege of founding the first Christian congregation among the Gentiles. Being directed by Heaven to seek Cornelius, a certain heathen centurion, at Caesarea, Peter went and preached before him and his household concern. 30 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. LIFE AND MISSION OF ST. PETER. SI ing the death and resurrection of Christ. The Holy Ghost came down upon all those who were listening to the Apostle's inspired words, and they were converted and baptized by Peter. Thus he to whom the keys of the kingdom of heaven had been given was the first to open the doors of God's kingdom upon earth to the pagan World. We find him soon after presiding as first bishop over the first large congregation of converted heathens in the city of Antioch, where the disciples and followers of Sta. Peter and Paul in Prison. Christ were first called Christians. Later we discover this fisherman of Galilee, whom the Lord had marked out to be the head of his Church, travelling incessantly through Judea, Galilee, Samaria, Asia Minor, Italy, and other places; everywhere diligently casting his net to bring the souls of Jews and Gentiles into the knowledge of Christ crucified. His most important mission, however, was to the imperial city of Home, where, by divine dispensation, he was to establish the centre of the Christian Church. This proud pagan capital, hitherto the seat of corrupt though refined superstition, was henceforth to be a beacon- light of pure Christian faith and piety. The peaceful throne of the Prince of the Apostles was soon to rise on the ruins of the blood-stained throne of the emperors of the world. Tradition assures us that St. Peter governed The Crucifixion of St. Teter. the Church at Rome for twenty-five years, from the year 42 till the year 67 after the birth of Christ ; although during this time he went frequently to preach the Gospel in other lands, and to visit the newly established Christian communities. At last, on the 29th of June, in the year 67 30 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. LIFE AND MISSION OF ST. PETER. 31 ing the death iind resurrection of Christ. The Iloly Ghost came down upon all those who were listening to the Apostle's inspired words, and they were converted and baptized hy Peter. Thus h© to whom the keys of the kingdom of heaven had been given was the first to open the doors of God's kingdom upon earth to the pagan world. We find him soon after presiding as first bishop over the first large congregation of converted heathens in the city of Antioch, where the disciples and followers of Sts. Peter and Paul in Prison. Christ were first called Christians. Later we discover this fisherman of Galilee, whom the Lord had marked out to be the head of his Church, travelling incessantly through Judea, Galilee, Samaria, Asia Minor, Italy, and other places; everywhere diligently casting his net to bring the souls of Jews and Gentiles into the knowledge of Christ cracified. His most important mission, hoAvever, was to the imperial city of Rocae, where, by divine dispensation, he was to establish the centre of the Christian Church. This proud pagan capital, hitherto the seat of corrupt though refined superstition, was henceforth to be a beacon- light of pure Christian faith and piety. The peaceful throne of the Prince of the Apostles was soon to rise on the ruins of the blood-stained throne of the emperors of the world. Tradition assures us that St. Peter governed The Ciiicifixion of St. Peter. the Church at Rome for twenty-five years, from the year 42 till the year 67 after the birth of Christ ; although during this time he went frequently to preach the Gospel in other lands, and to visit the newly established Christian communities. At last, on the 29th of June, in the year 67 32 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. 33 of Christ, he sealed his faith and mission with his blood on the hill of Janieulus in the city of Rome; and the prophetic words of Christ concerning the Chief of the Apostles were fulfilled: ** When thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee: Follow me" (John xxi. ). The executioners of the cruel Nero ** girded" the gray-haired man of God with bands, and fastened him to a cross, as had been done thirty-three years before to his divine Master. Willingly, and even cheerfully, the faith- ful Apostle stretched out his arms upon the cross, only too happy to be permitted to imitate his Master even in death. Yet, deeming himself unworthy the privilege of dying in the same posture as Jesus, he begged his execu- tioners to permit him to be crucified with his head down- ward. The martyred Apostle's body was laid in the Vatican catacombs, near Nwo'a mens. 8. The Conversion of St. Paul. "He who persecuted us in times past doth now preach the faith which once he impugned."— Qalatians i. 23. Intimately associated and closely identified with the glorious name of Peter is the honored name of Paul. This great Apostle of the Gentiles, who is also sometimes called Saul, is the one of whom Christ himself bore testi- mony when he said: "He is a vessel of election to carry my name before kings, to the Gentiles, and to the chil- dren of Israel." Trained in the schools of the Pharisees, he was at first a violent enemy of the Christian religion, and had ob- tained letters from the high-priest in Jerusalem authoriz- ing him to search for the Christians living in Damascus, and to bring them before the Jewish courts. He was on his way to put these designs into execution, when a ray of God's grace struck him. "And as he went on Ms jour- ney, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. And falling on the ground^ he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. And he, trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt *' Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou mef" thou have me to do? And the Lord said to him: Arise and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. Now the men who went in company with him stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw nothing" (Acts ix.). Paul remained three days in Damascus, blind and without food, and crying to the Lord from the inmost 32 CHRIST IN ins CHURCH. CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL. 33 of Christ, he sealed his faith and mission with his blood on the hill of Janiculus in the city of Rome; and the prophetic words of Christ concerning the Chief of the Apostles were fulfilled: ** When thou shalt be old, thou shalfc stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee: Follow me" (John xxi.). The executioners of the cruel Nero ** girded" the gray-haired man of God with bands, and fastened him to a cross, as had been done thirty-three years before to his divine Master. Willingly, and even cheerfully, the faith- ful Apostle stretched out his arms upon the cross, only too happy to be permitted to imitate his Master even in death. Yet, deeming himself unworthy the privilege of dying in the same posture as Jesus, he begged his execu- tioners to permit him to be crucified with his head down- ward. The martyred Apostle's body was laid in the Vatican catacombs, near Nero's circus. 8. The Conversion of St. Paul. ** Hfi who persecuted us in times past doth now preach the faith wliich once he impugned."— Galatians i. 23. Intimately associated and closely identified with the glorious name of Peter is the honored name of Paul. This great Apostle of the Gentiles, who is also sometimes called Saul, is the one of whom Christ himself bore testi- mony when he said: **He is a vessel of election to carry my name before kings, to the Gentiles, and to the chil- dren of Israel." Trained in the schools of the Pharisees, he was at first a violent enemy of the Christian religion, and had ob- tained letters from the high-priest in Jerusalem authoriz- ing him to search for the Christians living in Damascus, and to bring them before the Jewish courts. He was on his way to put these designs into execution, when a ray of God's grace struck him. *' And as he went on his jour- ney, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him. And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. And he, trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt *' Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" thou have me to do? And the Lord said to him: Arise and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. Now the men who went in company with him stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw nothing" (Acts ix.). Paul remained three days in Damascus, blind and without food, and crying to the Lord from the inmost 34 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. MISSIONARY LABORS OF ST. PAUL. 35 depths of his soul for mercy and pardon. On the third day God sent Ananias, whom many suppose to be one of the seventy-two disciples, to Paul, to say to him: " Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, he that appeared to thee in the way, that thou mayest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts ix. 17). And immediately Saul recovered nis sight, stood up, and received baptism. ' With what astonishment and chagrin the Jews in Damascus looked upon this once bigoted Pharisee and bitter foe of Christianity, as he went into their syna- gogue, and with superhuman eloquence preached that the crucified Nazarite was the veritable Messias! He very soon left their city, however, and retired into the solitudes of the Arabian deserts, in order more freely to prepare himself for his high duties of an Apostle to the Gentiles. 9. The Missionary Labors of St. Paul. •' I am appointed a preacher and an apostle, a doctor of the Gen- tiles in faith and truth."—! Timothy ii. 7. St. Paul set out on his first great mission in the year 45, starting from Antioch, and accompanied by St. Mark and St. Barnabas. This expedition consumed more than four years, and covered a vast extent of territory by sea and land. During this mission he established Christian churches in the island of Cyprus and in many cities and villages of Asia Minor; and with prayer and laying on of hands ordained priests and bishops to instruct and gov- ern the new congregations. St. Luke the Evangelist gives us, in the Acts of the Apostles, a remarkable example of the struggles and varied experiences of this indefatigable Apostle: ''And the multitude of the city was divided; and some of them indeed held with the Jews, hut some witli the Apostles. And when there was an assault made by the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to use them con tumeliously, and to stone them, they, understanding it, fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the whole country round about, and were there preaching the Gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked. This same heard Paul speaking; who look- ing upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice: Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked. And when the multitudes had seen what Paul had done, tiiey lifted up their voice in the Lycaonian tongue, saying: The gods are come down to us, in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; but Paul, Mercury; because he was chief speaker. " The priest also of Jupiter, that was before the city, bringing oxen and garlands before the gate, would have offered sacrifice with the people; which when the Apostles Barnabas and Paul had heard, rending their clothes, they leaped out among the people, crying and saying: Ye men, why do ye these things? We also are mortals, men like unto you, preaching to you to be converted from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them. And speaking these things, they scarce restrained the people from sacrificing to them. Now there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and persuading the multitude, and stoning Paul, drew him out of the city, thinking him to be dead. But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up and entered into the city, and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe." About the year 61 we meet St. Paul at the council of the Apostles in Jerusalem, whence he set out soon after on his second great missionary voyage to Asia Minor, Mace- donia, and Greece. His visit to Athens was specially important, where he thus addressed the highly educated 1 36 CHBIST IN HIS CHURCH. i and learned members of the highest court, caUed the Areopagus: "But Paul, standing in the midst of Areopagus, said- Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things yon are too superstitious. For passing by and seeing your idols, I found an altar on which was written: To the unknown God. What therefore you worship, without knowing it that I preach to yon. God, who made the world and all things therein, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is he served with men's hands, as though he needed anything seeing it is he who giveth to all life, and breath, and all things, and hatli made of one all mankind, to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, determining appointed times and the limits of their habitation; that they should seek (xod, if happily they may feel after him or find him although he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and are. As some also of your own poets said: For we are also his offspring. Beinff therefore, the offspring of God, we must not suppose the divinity to be like unto gold, or silver, or stone, the gi-av- ing of art and device of man. And God indeed, having winked at the times of this ignorance, now declareth unto men that all should everywhere do penance. Because he hath appointed a day wherein lie will judge the world in equity by the man whom he hath appointed, giving faith to all, by raising him up from the dead." On hearing mention made of the Resurrection, most of the Athenians began to sneer and to laugh. Some however, agreed with Paul and believed ; among others'. JJionysius, a celebrated and respected member of the Areopagus. This second voyage of Paul consumed about two years and extended over a distance of more than a thousand leagues. On his third missionary voyage, lasting from the year 54 to the year 58, St. Paiil tarried a long time ST. PAUL PREACHING AT EPHESUS. 37 36 CHBIST IN HIS CWURCn. and learned members of the highest court, called the Areopagus: "But Paul, standing in the midst of Areopagus, said- Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious. For passing by and seeing your idols 1 found an altar on which was written: To the unknown God What therefore you worship, without knowing it ttat I preach to you. God, who made the world and all things therein, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is he served with men's hands, as though he needed anything seeing ,t is he who giveth to all life, and breath, and all things, and hatli made of one all mankind, to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, determining appointed times and the limits of their habitation; that they should seek Ijod, If hai)pily they may feel after him or find him although he be not far from every one of us. For in liim we live, and move, and are. As some also of your own poets said: For we are also his offspring. Being therefore, the offspring of God, we must not suppose the divinity to be like unto gold, or silver, or stone, the gi-av- iDg of art and device of man. And God indeed, having winked at the times of this ignorance, now declareth unto men that all should everywhere do penance. Because he Jiath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in equity by the man whom he hath appointed, giving faith to all, by raising him up from the dead." On hearing mention made of the Resurrection, most of the Athenians began to sneer and to laugh. Some however, agreed with Paul and believed ; among others! iJiouysuis, a celebrated and respected member of the Areopagus. This second voyage of Paul consumed about two years and extended over a distance of more than a thousand leagues. On his third missionary voyage, lasting from the year 54 to the year 58, St. Paul tarried a long time ST. PAUL PREACHING AT EPHESUS. 37 38 CHEIST IN HIS CHURCH. It m Ephesus, a city of Asia Minor, where his new conyerts gave touching and instructive evidence of their stroncr Christian feeling. In that city fortune-telling and magic prevailed to a great extent, and the people had squan- dered large sums of money in the purchase of books which treated of these diabolical arts. But after Paul had preached with great eloquence and power on the one true God, the people, entering into themselves and discoverinhiins and exhaustless rivers. I seem to see some old picture, such as is hung over the altars in our sanctuaries, and in which the skill of the painter is even less than the sanctity of his idea. It is such as we often see when in the back- ground there is a gentle landscape, bounded by dark, tran- 60 CHRIST IN HIS CHUKCH. qnU mountains, shaded by tall and spreading trees, in the midst a calm water and clear bright air ; here is a company of saints musing on Holy Writ, and there a multitude of upturned faces drinking in the words of an evangelist ; on one side a crowd by a river's brink receiying the sacrament of regeneration ; on the other, the Holy Sacrifice of the altar 18 lifted up before the Eternal Father ; beyond is a mystic ladder reaching up to heaven, on which angels are ascending and descending, and communing with saints in Tision ; and in the foreground, rising over all, is Jesus on his throne, and on his right hand Maiy crowned with light and beauty." , ^pC' * In Germany, the country along the Rhine was the first to receive the light of the Gospel. As early as the year 150, Chnstian congregations were in flourishing and well- ordered condition ; and when, in the year 336, St. Atha- nasius, bishop of Alexandria, came during his exile to Iners, he found Catholic bishops in Strasburg, Cologne, Speyer, Worms, and Trier. In South Germany, too? on the banks of the Leek and the Danube, the cross of Christ was firmly planted at a very early period ; whilst renowned samts such as Bishop Maximilian of Lorch, Floriun of Ems Dionysius of Augsburg and his niece St. Afra, Victorinus 01 retau, and many others, consecrated and fertilized the sml of Germany with martyr-blood about the year 300. Switzerland honors as her first apostle St. Beatns, who tand had episcopal sees in Augusta, afterwards called ^aeel ; Avanche, afterwards called Lausanne ; in Con- stance, Geneva, and Chur. The invasion of the Huns, Allemanni, and other bar- barous tribes had well-nigh destroyed the Church in Ger- many and Switzerland ; but, in order to firmly and perma. nently restore and re-establish it, the Almighty raised up, during the sixth and seventh centuries, a body of holy salons, and able men, such as Fridolin, Columba, GaU GROWTH OF THE CHURCH IN EUROPE. 51 Trutpcrt, Pirmin, Severin, Eupert, Emeran, Corbinian, and Killian. y(^ fT^.r- '- Germany's chief apostle, however, was St. Boniface. He was a man of untiring zeal, high intellect, and child- like simplicity ; a very hero in his faith, in his dependence on Providence, and in his charity ; yes, a vessel of election like St. Paul. Born in England about the year 680, he received at his baptism the name of Winifred, and entered, St. Boniface. at an early age, the order of the Benedictines. Hearing in his soul a voice from heaven saying, " Carry the light of my Gospel to the people who sit in darkness and the shadow of death ; I will there show thee how thou must labor and suffer for me," Winnifred promptly responded to this inte- rior voice of God. Fortified with the blessing of his abbot and the prayers of his fellow-religious, he entered on his mis- sionary labors, first in Friesland and afterwards in Thurin- 60 CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH. GKOWTII OF THE CHUKCII IN EUROPE. 51 quil mountains, shaded by tall and spreading trees, in the midst a calm water and clear bright air ; here is a company of samts musing on Holy Writ, and there a multitude of upturned faces drinking in the words of an evangelist ; on one side a crowd by a river's brink receiving the sacrament of regeneration ; on the other, the Holy Sacrifice of the altar IS lifted up before the Eternal Father; beyond is a mystic ladder reaching up to heaven, on which angels arc ascending and descending, and communing with saints in vision ; and in the foreground, rising over all, is Jesus on his throne, and on his right hand Mary crowned with light and beauty.")!.!.//,^ y^ j,oC- In Germany, the country along the Rhine was the first to receive the light of the Gospel. As early as the year 150 Christian congregations were in flourishing and well- ordered condition ; and when, in the year 33G, St. Athit- nasius, bishop of Alexandria, came during his exile to Iriers, he found Catholic bishops in Strasburg, Colo.r„e Speyer, Worms, and Trier. In South Germany, too^oii the banks of the Leek and the Danube, the cross of Christ was firmly planted at a very early period ; whilst renowned samts such as Bishop Maximilian of Lorch, Florian of Ems Dionysins of Augsburg and his niece St. Afra, Victorinus 01 fetau, and many others, consecrated and fertilized the soil of Germany with martyr-blood about the year 300. Switzerland honors as her first apostle St. Beatus, who inl ',? i ^'""^ ",' ^''™* "^- ^" ^''y ^•■''•'y