Page:Essays on Catholicism, Liberalism, and Socialism.djvu/35

What was the cause of so great changes and revolutions? Why so vast a desolation, and so universal a cataclysm? What did it mean? What had happened? Nothing, except that some theologians went about proclaiming a new theology throughout the world.

This new theology is called Catholicism. Catholicism is a complete system of civilization. It is so complete that in its immensity it includes everything—the science of God, of angels, of the universe, and of men. The unbeliever is astonished at the incredible extravagance of its claims, and the believer at its surprising grandeur. If any one look upon it derisively, men are even more surprised at this stupid indifference than at its colossal grandeur and wonderful extravagance, and they exclaim, "Let the insensate pass by."

During nineteen centuries the world has frequented the schools of Catholic theologians and doctors; and yet, notwithstanding all this diligent investigation, no one has explored the depths of Catholic science. In this school is taught how and when events and nations have had their rise and fall, and by it are disclosed the wonderful secrets, always concealed from the speculations of heathen philosophers and the comprehension of their learned men. There stand revealed the final causes of all things, the adjustment of human events,