The Catholic Church from Without by James Carey 1913 Softcover Book

Description: Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE For Sale: an antique copy of the book, The Catholic Church from Without by James Carey published in 1913.Ruskin, in his study of Gothic architecture, insists that perfection is the death of true art, because perfection necessarily calls for the enslavement of the individual artist to but a portion of some task connected with a great expression of faith and genius. Such enslavement, he believes, limits the artist to the knowledge of a mere detail, which perfection makes easily reproducible, in the selfsame form. By such reproduction the very essentials of true art are destroyed. So true art, he believes, is found rather in the intellectual striving for perfection than in the attaining of it. This thought of Newman's great contemporary came to my mind, when Father Carey's little book was presented to me, with an invitation to write its preface. I felt that Ruskin had a strong proof to urge for his idea in the Catholic Church; but unfortunately had overlooked it. The spiritual side of the Church has, of course, been made perfect by the Great Artist, Who never exactly reproduces anything; Who, alone, is perfection; Whose creations are ever new and Who draws from an in- exhaustible treasury of unrevealed beauties, when He draws from Himself. But wisely has that Great Artist left other things to be done by His earthly workmen.- who, each according to his merit, skill and intelligence, adds his imperfect striving for perfect expression to the earthly glory and strength of the Cathedral of Truth. Now there never yet was a structure, earth-built, whether of mind, heart or hands, that did not have some unconscious helpers in its making. The quarry- man does not know for whom or for what he so care- fully rough-shapes the stones. Sometimes, even the carver does not realize, the greatness of the end to which his workmanship must later on contribute; he may but vaguely guess, and be satisfied. It often happens, too that some artists are enthusiastic about only one part of the great whole, and can see nothing beyond. But the master mind knows how to make each one contribute his best. Here in this book attention is called to some of the workmanship of unconscious artists; each carving fully, intelligently, carefully, his own stone as an offering to the adornment and strength of that wonder of the ages, the Church Catholic. Did these artists realize the greatness of their contributions? God alone can tell; but each offering is good and has fitted well into the magnificence of the whole structure. Standing before it, to drink in its beauty and feed on its inspiration, the words of Holy Writ arise al- most unconsciously to one's mind: "In Him all the building, being formed together, groweth up into a holy temple in the Lord." How mightily we long to turn to the multitude of the unconscious workers and say, with truth, to them: "In Him you are built together into a habitation of God in the Spirit." It was to help bring this to pass for many true hearts longing for the Center of Love, and thirsting souls yearning for the Fountain of Knowledge, that the Author has here gathered these works of unconscious builders; and has gathered them well. FRANCIS CLEMENT KELLEY. Chicago, March 17th, 1912.

Price: 20.99 USD

Location: Star, North Carolina

End Time: 2025-02-08T15:06:19.000Z

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