something unnatural, and is, fortunately, but rarely to be met with.
" Breathes there the man with soul so dead
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!"
Moreover, true patriotism and love of religion go hand in hand. Remember the Maccabees. Their sole reason for having recourse to arms was that they were determined not to see their altars desecrated by profane hands.
2. But, it is objected, great courage and energy are necessary in order to serve one's country; religion, however, inculcates meekness and resignation; therefore religion makes men cowardly and weak.
This reproach was put forward even by the pagans in the days of Christ and His apostles: but is it fair? is it just? Most assuredly not Do not the countless martyrs of the Catholic religion prove that it does not produce weaklings, but that the holy standard of the Cross imparts greater steadfastness than any other standard can possibly do?
Was it weakness and cowardice which caused St. Ambrose to forbid the Emperor Theodosius to enter the sanctuary of God? Was it cowardice and fear which made St. Leo the Pope advance to meet the savage king of the Huns before the fortified city of Rome and induce him to retreat? Or again, was it not courage of the highest order which in-
