THE XOTRE-DAME LECTURES. 



A1)VI:NT, 18G7. 



CIVIL SOCIKTY IX ITS RELATIONS WITH 

 CIIlllSTIAXITY. 



LECTURE FIRST. 



December 1, 1867. 



Civil Society ix its Relations with Domestic 

 Society. 



My Loud AiiCHBisnop axd Gextlemex: Li en- 

 tering, last year, upon the study of social questions in 

 tlieir moral and religions aspect, we distinguished, at 

 the outset, three principal forms of society, which, 

 for different but equally imperatiye reasons, are essen- 

 tial to the perfect organization of mankind on the 

 eartli : domestic society, or the family — civil society, or 

 the State ; religious society, or the Churcli. AVe luive 

 spoken of the family. The subject needed years — we 

 devoted to it six lectures ; but as far as our limits al- 

 lowed us we have treated of that subject. 



The order of subjects brings me, this year, to the con- 

 sideration of Civil Society, or the State. 



But is this a time for bringing such a subject into 

 the Ciiristian pulpit ? Is it becoming to lift up a voice 



