Problems of the Age, Parts I-II [pp. 145-150]

THE
CATHIOLIC WOR LD.
VOL. III., NO. 14.-MAY, 1866.
[0ORIGINAL.]
PROBLEMS OF THE AGE.
I.
INTRODUCTION.
WE wish to state distinctly and
openly, at the outset of this work, that
the solution given of the problems
therein discussed is a solution derived
from the Catholic faith. Its sole object will be to make an exposition of
the doctrines of the Catholic faith
bearing on these problems. By an
exposition, is not meant a mere expansion or paraphrase of the articles of
the Creed, but such a statement as
shall include an exhibition of their
positive, objective truth, or conformity
to the real order of being and existence; and of their reasonableness or
analogy to the special part of that universal order lying within the reach of
rational knowledge. In'doing this
we choose what appears to us the best
and simplest method. It differs, however, in certain respects, from the one
most in vogue, and therefore requires
a few preliminary words of explanation.
VOL. III. 10
The usual method is, to proceed as
far as possible in the analysis of the
religious truths provable by reason, to
introduce afterward the evidences of
revealed religion, and finally to proceed to an exposition of revealed doctrines. We have no wish to decry
the many valuable works constructed
on this plan, but simply to vindicate
the propriety of following another,
which is better suited to our special
purpose. We conceive it not to be
necessary to follow the first method in
explaining the faith of a Christian
mind, because the Christian mind itself does not actually attain to faith
by this method. We do not proceed
by a course of reasoning through natural theology and evidences of revelation to our Christian belief. We begin by submitting to instruction, and
receiving all it imparts at once, without preliminaries. The Christian
child begins by saying Credo in
Unum Deumc" This is the first article of his faith. It is proposed to him,
by an authority which he reveres as
divine, as the first and principal ar