Show THE CATHOLIC CENTENARY The fhe Catholics are celebrating the centenary of their church in iii New York City It Jt began in in poor and humble way about as it did dil in iu this city ity Today it claims that it has more Catholics in New York Cit City than titan in any other city in the world It has JUtS grown splendid in its wealth It is increasing most mORt potentially potentially poten paten in iii power and it ii is js right and natural that its high officers from all over the United States and from Europe should gather at this centennial for a praise service ervice and to la lay out ont plans for future futuro increase The church is to be he congratulated No such advance has been made malIe by hy an any church in an any land since sinco the Christian era as the Catholic church has made in the United States during this last years ears It is one of the honest boasts of the chief men of that order that their principles do not nut change but hut theirs is the thie church that St. St Peter founded an and that all the or original t I nal precepts are arc adhered to and y yet t there has been I almost an evolution of the Catholic church in the United States in the thie last years rears It 11 is the UlC same faith it carries the same forms but hut there has been a broadening of or it which has bas been marvelous The church has thrown off ofT a whole host of fixed ideas some sonic of which came vcr very nearly being pure pUle bigotry There has been a great increase in the learning of some of its leaders The truth has penetrated their souls that all men are arc nearly alike except c because of f their theil environments and the more they consider that fact the more nearl nearly have they come to making the church a brotherhood to which all men can draw near They rhey are are certainly to be congratulated on this centennial It is a wonderful showing for the church and we believe it is an evidence of the absolute freedom freedora free free- dom dora and fairness of the thc American government toward all creeds and nil all faiths which makes the celebration t ion as much a celebration of the advance caused by hy the founding of this great republic as of the advance and ail growth and aul splendor of the Catholic church |