Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-05-05
From the Liverpool Times.

An extract from n pastoral charge, ad-
dressed by the Roman Catholic Bishop OF
the Northern District, the Rev DIR. Briggs.
TO the clergy and laity of his diocese. Ii
was read in the various chapels in this town
on the first Sunday in Lent Though our
opinions ofthe Romish religion are rs differ.
enl rom those OF Dr.. Briggs as possible, yet
we rejoice TO see him recommending to his
people the truly Christian doctrine of for
giveness of injuries, with so much force and
earnestness A steady perseverance in the
practice of this virtue will at length triumph
over prosecutors and tend TO produce amongst
Christians OF every sect, that habit of mutual
lorbearance and charity which, sooner or la.
ter, will dispelall the forms of prejudice, and
lead their votaries to truth.
when young minds are filled with these
reflections, can you not my dearly beloved
brethren, easily smile at all the efforts that
are at this day revived to malign your reli-
gion, your church, and yourselves The
invectiVes of the present day. like those Of
former days, are full of violence and false.
hood. You hear boldly attributed to your
religion what she reprobates, TO your church
what she censures, and to yourselves what
your souls abhor Men now revie you
and speak all that is evil against you, untru
", for the sake of Christ, on account Of the
Christian Catholic religion which you pro
fess and revere; blessed then are YOU says
your Divine Redeemer
1.-The same unerring truth declares, "You
have heard that it hath been said,-thou
shalt love thy neighbor, and. hate thy enc
my; but say unto you, love your enemies
do good to them that hate you, and pray fol
them that prosecute and calumniate you."-
Thus also exhorts the great A postle: "Bless
them that persecute you; bless, and curse
not; render TO no man evil for evil; if it be
possible, as much as in you, have peace with
all men; revenge not yourselves, my dearly
beloved. You glory in being disciples o.
that Divine Master who, though invested
with infinite power, when he was reviled, did
not revile; when he suffered, he threatened
not; who, when writhiqg in all the .agonies
7 81 BIZ cYci6Yop, swesaw prayed feAall who
had consplred his de9kh - FathsrS iors.i "a
them, for they know not what they do ST
Stephen, also you know, prayed in the like
manner for his executioners; throwing him
self on his knees, and collecting whatsoever
OF strength and life remained, he cried ou-
with loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin ia
their charge We are not called upon like
this glorious martyr, like our Catholic an.
cestors, 10 resist unto blood; but we are cal
led upon "to fight with patience the fight
that is set before US, looking to Jesus as the
author and 6nisher of faith, who having ioy
set before him, endured the cross, despising
the shame, and stitch at the right hand Of
the throne Of God" Whilst at this holy
time of expiration you are earnestly sueing
for the forgiveness of your sins, remember
my dearly beloved brethren, those words OIL
our Savior; "If you forgive men their often
ces, your heavenly father will forgive YOU
also your offences; but if you will not for
give men, neither will your Father forgive
you your offences"