North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-04-16
APPENDIX TO THE HISTORY
LOWER CANADA.
BISHOP LARTIGuE,S LETTER.
To he Clergy, and all The faithful Of Ou'
Diocese, Health and Beaedisiion.
(ee)

To he Clergy, and all The faithful 81 our
Diocese, Health aud Beacdisiion.
For a length OF time back, dear brethren
VIC hear ri nothing but agitation, and even
o revolt, and this in country which has
hitherto been distinguished by lis loyalty.
.,s sprs q. peace, lis love for the religion
nj id fathers On every side, we behold
brothers rise up against their brothers.
friends against their friends, citizens
gainst their feiow-citizens; and discord
from one extremity oi this Diocese 10 the
olAer, seems 10 have hurst asnnder iha
bonds Of charity which united the mem
hers II the same body, the children of the
same church, The children Of Cathocity,
which is religion OF unity. To circum-
stances Of such moment, the only position
that we can take, is not merely 80 stand
to an opinion (Which, nevertheless, as citi-
zcns, we md our worthy fcow-laborers
in the holy Ministry should have, equally
with others, the right oi emitting,) but TO
act up 70 the obligation which the Apostle
ofthe Gentiies imposes upon Us by saying,
"Wo is unto me If speak not the gospel;
Cor necessity beth upon me; Necessities
<nim mihi incumbit. i. Cor. o. I6.
No dear brethren, no one Of you is gno-
rent OF these trnihs;--that the dnties OF
the different members OF society form as
essentially part of Christian morality, as
the dslies OF the different members of a
family; that this divine code of morality is
portion of the sacred deposit of faith,
which has been transmitted TO Us by the
pare channel of scripture and tradition;
If. Ill H. Ii.
are bound 10 transmit il to you with equal
fidelity.
There is moreover nothing that can
render u the object of suspicion In our
veins, as in yours, flows Canadian blood
We have given requent proofs of the love
we have for our dear and common country !;
anil "a the apostle. so can we take God 70
witness, how we long after you all, in The
bowels Of Jesus Christ. Philip. /. 8. Be
sides, you know that we never received
any thing from the civil Government. las
We expect from il nothing bat that justice
which is due 10 every British subject. And
We hear testimony 10 the truth, when we
soemnly protest, that In speaking To you
on The present occasion, we speak OF our
selves, impeled by no exterior Influence,
hut solely actna,ed by motives Of conscience
II is not thea oar intention 10 give an opin-
ion, as a citizen on this purely political
question: among the different branches Of
government, which is in The right, or which
is in the wrongs this is one of those things
which God has delivered 10 The consider
alton oi men: Glundunl tradidit dispuiG-
tione eorum j but the moral question,
namely, wha, is the duty Of catholic tow
ards the civil power established and con-
stiiuied in each state! This religious
question falling within our jurisdiction and
competency, IL is undoubtedly thepfovince
oil your Bishop 10 give you ali necessary
instruction on this subject, aud your pro-
vince 10 llisten 10 him. For as the ceiebra-
ted I.amenais says, +" Bishops being COM
missioaei by The Holy Ghost TO govern
the Church OF God. under the direction OF
the Sovereign PontiII, we profess that we
believe in every thing which sppertsins TO
-she spiritual administration OF each Do
cese, clergy and laity ought faithfully, To
obey the orders OF the bishop instituted BY.
the Pope.
This, then is what the sacred scriptures
teach you on the above question. 81
Paul saws, "Let every soul be subject 10
she higher powers, for there Is no power
bu, from God, and these that are, are
ordained nf God. Therefore he that re-
sisteth the power resisse,h The ordinance Of
God. And they that resist, purchase 10
themselves damnaiion. The ruler is the
minister of God TO them for good. he
beareth not the sword in vain. For he IS
the minister Of God, an areDgeF 70 execute
wrath upon him tina. doesh, wherefore be
subject of necessity, not only for wrath,
hal also FOR conscience sake Rom. c. isi.
y.f.qS4.5. Be We subject therefore"
adds ST. Prtcr, the ehief 81 the apostles,
a. 10 every human creature for GODS sake;
whether il be 10 the king, as rxeeiiings OF