eniable that St. Francis
Xavier and the other Evangelists who, in the sixteenth century, extended
the Kingdom of Jesus Christ through India and Japan, were in communion
with the Holy See; and that those Apostles who, in the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries, converted the aboriginal tribes of South America
and Mexico received their commission from the Chair of Peter.

But you will say: The people of the United States profess to be a
Christian nation. Do you also claim them? Most certainly; for, even those
American Christians who are unhappily severed from the Catholic Church are
primarily indebted for their knowledge of the Gospel to missionaries in
communion with the Holy See.

The white races of North America are descended from England, Ireland,
Scotland and the nations of Continental Europe. Those European nations
having been converted by missionaries in subjection to the Holy See, it
follows that, from whatever part of Europe you are descended, whatever may
be your particular creed, you are indebted to the Church of Rome for your
knowledge of Christianity.

Do not these facts demonstrate the Primacy of the Pope? The Apostles of
Europe and of other countries received their authority from Rome. Is not
the power that sends an ambassador greater than he who is sent?

Thus we see that the name of the Pope is indelibly marked on every page of
ecclesiastical history. The Sovereign Pontiff ever stands before us as
commander-in-chief in the grand army of the Church. Do the bishops of the
East feel themselves aggrieved at home by their Patriarchs or civil
Rulers? They look for redress to Rome, as to the star of their hope. Are
the Fathers and Doctors of the early Church consulted? With one voice they
all pay homage to the Bishop of Rome as to their spiritual Prince. Is an
Ecumenical Council to be convened in the East or West? The Pope is its
leading spirit. Are new nations to be converted to the faith? There is the
Holy Father clothing the missionaries with authority, and giving his
blessing to the work. Are new errors to be condemned in any part of the
globe? All eyes turn toward the oracle of Rome to await his anathema, and
his solemn judgment reverberates throughout the length and breath of the
Christian world.

You might as well shut out the light of day and the air of heaven from
your daily walks as exclude the Pope from his legitimate sphere in the
hierarchy of the Church. The history of the United States with the