THE PROGRESS OF THE CENTURY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7, 15 February 1900, Page 10

THE PROGRESS OF THE CENTURY.

His Eminence Cardinal Moran recently laid the foundation stone of a new church at Bulli, New South Wales. In the course of his address his Eminence said :—: —

And when we looked back upon the century just closing what marvellous progress is everywhere disclosed. In those hundred years two mighty agents were introduced to civilisation in steam and electricity. By the agency of the one journeys which once were reckoned by months were now matters of days, while by means of the other communication with the ends of the world was reduced to hours. Some said that we might have been happier had these mighty engines of advancement not been introduced ; but, without waiting to consider that point, wo must all recognise the marvellous material progress of the century. As another evidence of advancement we head but to look to the newspapers of the last century. The people of to-day would hardly deign to regard them as newspapers. The newspapers had been revolutionised into what we saw them to-day, and it was only right that the people should recognise their value in the enlightenment of the world. The newspapers were the servants of the public, and brought the current facts of daily life to the public, and sustained and helped the maintenance of the people's independence. And what geographical advances had characterised the century ! The map of the world

HAD UNDERGONE MARVELLOUS CHANUEfe.

At the opening of the century Canada seemed only to exist on that map to attract by its divisions and its internal weakness the attention of Powers bent on the acquisition of new territory. Now it was a vast united dominion marked by every sign of prcspprity and exerting a powerful influence in the world. The United States, too, at the opening of the present century was hardly noticed with its scarcely 3,000,000 of population. But from that population had arisen a magnificent and independent people of 80,000,000. It was in Africa, however, upon which the eyes of the world were just now directed that the greatest changes were noted, In that country the marvellous feat of joining two distant portions of the world had been accomplished in the cutting of the Suez Canal. In Africa 100 years ago a million t-laves were sent away every year to wear out their lives in foreign lands. By their united influence in the work of ci\ i/i'-ation the various European Powers had cut off these 1,000 000 slaves a year from a degrading servitude. He did not know that a greater work had been accomplished in the century than that of England in pacifying the people of Egypt. That country, which had fallen iiom its ancient eminence, was after the lapse of 2000 years beginning to give promise of becoming a great centre of commerce, and at no distant day of being a distinct aid to the enlightenment of other civilised countries. To show the great hold Europe had upon Anica. England had 2,500,000 square milts, Portugal '.too.ooo «.qnare miles, Germany •JOO 000 square miles, and France 3,000,000 square unhs. It hod been said that these various Powers had objects of their own in thus acquiring African territory ; but, \vhate\er might ha\e be,->n the objects, the ' Dark Continent ' was at present as ;i result as well explored and as well known as Europe. With regard to the present war, however it might end, be (the Cardinal) ielt sure that it would result in the opening of another mighty dominion. But during the 100 years the progress and the spread of t nli.rhteninent was not more marvellous anywhere than m our own Australia. They had indeed emerged iiom darkness to light. And in that work those he (the Cardinal) represented that day bad dona their share. The pioneer priests of their faith in th's hind had laid the foundation of that enlightenment anl provided those religious advantages they enjoyed to-day.