Page:Essays on Catholicism, Liberalism, and Socialism.djvu/313

sinned, is confessed even by those who deny the greater number of Catholic dogmas. Mr. Proudhon, the most learned man of the socialist schools, does not hesitate to affirm that sin supposed, the redemption of mankind through the merits and sufferings of God was rendered absolutely necessary; because in no other way could sinful man be redeemed. The Catholics do not go so far as this, as they affirm that this mode of redemption, without being necessary or the only one possible, was nevertheless the most excellent and adorable.

By this it is seen that God wished by the same means to vanquish both the obstacle which opposed the accomplishment of universal order, and that which prevented human order. In becoming man without ceasing to be God, He united man synthetically with God; and as the spiritual essence and the corporeal substance were already united in man, God made man united in Himself in a sublime manner, on the one hand the corporeal substance and the spiritual essence, and on the other the Creator of all things with all his creatures. In the fullness of time, he voluntarily suffered and died for man, and thus took upon himself that primitive sin in consequence of which Adam and all his race had become corrupted, and were condemned to death.

In whatever light we consider this great mystery, it offers to the reflecting mind the same wonderful fitness. If all mankind were condemned in Adam, there is nothing more just or reasonable than that all should be saved through another and more perfect Adam. If we have been condemned in virtue of the law of solidarity, the law of justice, there could be nothing more just or reasonable than that we should be saved by the law