North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-05-20
swANToN, VT. MAY 20, 1910.

opinions on the political stale Of the coun-
try that we sincerely respect oug clergy
10 whom we are always ready TO give way
10 spiritual affairs but we know cur
rights and privileges too well TO allow
ourselves to be controlled in our temporal
concerns and 10 the questions OF reform
wan,ed by this country, by The ministers
Of the Gospel who have not received from
God, nor from the Church, the power of
making use OF their sacred mission for the
purpose Of establishing their own senli-
menis and of forcing the people 10 absn-
don the useful reform which they sought
with so much ardor and for such q long
period"
10 the month OF October, the Bishop Of
Montreal, who had very good reasons 10
he grateful TO the British Government, for
certain personal favors conferred upon him,
seeing that Lord Gosford's administration
was Justly Gespised by the whole country,
tried TO rescue the sinking ship of the i'm
beetle Earl, and for this purpose he issued
a pastoral-letter to his flock, iu which he
entreaied them not TO NEEDLE In politics,
and to make no opposition 10 the Cody
Government of England. As soon as the
vile and contemplate poli,ico-religious
document was published, we find the fol-
lowing editorial remarks in the .Minerve Of
the s0lh October -
II seems that the famous pastoral-let-
ter OF the Bishop of Montreal has been
sent to oil the different parishes 10 be read
in the pulpit. We have had news from
several parishes where the diplomatic do
cument has been read with comments in
some places and without any comment
whatsoever in some others. A gentleman
who passed yesterday at Chambly as
sures rs that nearly the sshoie of the peo-
pie ,cho were in the church, left as soon as
they found out that politics were to be
discussed in the pulpit"
And then at meeting of the parishion-
ers Of ST. Cyprien, commonly called Ma
pierviIle, in the county of Lacadie, held
on the 29th OF October, the following re-
solutions were adopted alter the reading OF
the famous pastoral letter OF the Bishop Of
Montreal, the whole Of The parishioners,
in mass, having left the church as soon
as the parish-priest began the lecture Of
this silly piece OF subserviency and base
ness -
Resolved. That we have seen with
regret the pastoral letter Of the Bishop oil
this diocese, that we deplore the error oil
that individual, who is seeking close al
lance with our enemies, for the purpose oil
caIumniat;ng the friends of the people
that our anxiety is the greater on seeing
the clergy take an active part against
the interests OF the Canadians, as we are
DESTROYS to follow the doctrines preached
to Us by them /; that the mission Of the
priest is not to preach the political rights
OF mankind, but to teach us the precepts
OF the Gospel"
/" Resolved, That the inhabitants Of
this parish, disapprove, the proceedings Of
His Lordship, and do humbly iorewarr
The Clergy, that il is their duty 10 remain
neutral, in the political contest which ex.
| ISIS al tnis motucHt UctWcen Tue Pcopie
and the authorities OF this province, and
tina, if the clergy continue their misplaced
opposition TO the peoples will, cit be-
comes the duty Of the people to find out
/ the means TO shelter themselves from the
6aneful effects of absolutism."
Resolved, That we will continue to pro-
test our most sacred attachment TO ouI
church, hoping, however, that the peo.
p!e shall have the liberty of acting and
thinking as they may think I'll and proper
on the form OF government. which may
suit them best, and that they will not be
dictated by their religious ministers
whose sole duty, is 10 keep a vigilant eye
on the propagation Of Christianity, and on
the morals of the flock under their spiri,ua
guidance. "-To be continued.