Page:A Memorial of John Boyle O'Reilly from the City of Boston.djvu/33

Rh the Catholic Church. He devoted many of the solitary hours of his prison life to studying Catholic doctrine.

He was a prudent and able defender of the Church. In his own way, and by methods open to every intelligent layman, he vindicated the claims of the Catholic Church to the loyal adhesion of her own children, and the respectful attention and thoughtful consideration of those beyond her fold. By availing himself of her sacraments, regularly attending divine worship in her churches, and profiting by her ministration of the Divine Word, he strengthened his own faith, kept the integrity of his moral character intact, and set a beautiful and powerful example.

On suitable occasions he explained to honest inquirers, and to the public at large, true doctrines of the Catholic Church, and cleared them from the false coloring sometimes given to them by ignorance or malice. He never courted conflict or wantonly provoked attack.

He was eminently a man of peace, and heartily detested all sectarian strife. When duty involved him in the irrepressible conflict between the Catholic Church and the sects, he faced the enemy with courage, and fought out the good fight with vigor and skill.

In controversy he was an honorable antagonist. He never delivered a foul blow or struck a fallen foe. He carried into the arena the noble manliness of the Greek athlete, and the Christian chivalry of the