The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

80 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.torial jurisdiction. How could she have outlivedthat period, if the temporal power were essential toher perpetuity? And even for the last seven yearathe Pope has been deprived of his temporalities.This loss, however, does not bring a wrinkle on thefair brow of the Church, nor does it retard one inchher onward march.IV. Is she unable to cope with modern inventionsand the mechanical progress of the nineteenth century? We are often told so; but far from hidingour head, like the ostrich in the sand, at the approach of these inventions, we hail them as messengers of God, and will use them as Providential instruments for the further propagation of the faith.If we succeeded so well before, when we had noships but frail canoes, no compass but our eyes;when we had no roads but eternal snows, virginforests, and trackless deserts ;when we had no guidesave faith, and hope, and God if even then wesucceeded so well in carrying the Gospel to the con-Qnes of the earth, how much more can we do nowby the aid of telegraph, steamships, and railroads?Yes, O men of genius, we bless your inventions ;we bless you, ye modern discoveries and we will;impress you into the service of the Church, and say:"Lightningsand clouds bless the Lord; all- yeworks of the Lord bless the Lord ; praise and exalthim above all forever." 1The utility of modern inventions to the Church1Daniel iri.