Democracy s relation to Christianity was vigorously defined at Southport, by Pr. J. J. Geary, B.A., eircndiocesait Chaplain, eau:mireTeachers' Associations, last Thursday. Mr. S. Sanderson, of the Southport Deanery Cotincd at Catholic Action, under whose auspices the lecture was given, was in the chair.
Father Geary said that materialism Ota,s " the opium ot the people." From its very nature, he said, it produced two types of men . The love of ease which accepted dictatorship; and the lust for power which dictated. Matelialists were the guilty men who dragged man down to the level of the beast, deprived hint of his dignity, robbed him of his rights,, chained him like a slave to a machine, and imprisoned him in the concentration camp el mere matter.
" Democracy is the glorious offspring of the Christian creed," be said. " Democracy is one of Christ's special gifts to the world. II was unknown beuflorHeimIiim: Boanidiolidt, is ep t ihnonogsalele t ihnonogsalele you u tidings of great joy that 041 be to all the people.' These words, spoken by the Angel of God, heralded in that demos:racy which is Christ.
KEIR HARDIE " When God, the Son, became Man, we were initialed into the secret of our personal dignity, our spiritual worth, our sublime destiny. We were given power •to be made the sons of God.
" This doctrine at Christ shattered the whole pagan conception of man; it inaugurated a revolution, the new order of Christ. • Gooa tidings of.
great joy for all the people. In a world permeated by the good news of Christ, a tremendous transformation was effected. Slavery was mitigiusel and finally terminated; woman was emancipated and elevated through the person of the Mother of Christ; the poor, the sick, the suffering were ennobleel end served as Christ Himself.
" Monasteries, hospitalsos almshouses, guilds, universities increased and multiplied, as living active fruits of the charity of Christ. No wonder the great Keir Hardie desciibed the days of the Chnosh's glory as • the golden age of the working-man.' On Christianity European civilization has been built up. Europe must return to the Faith or perish."