Washington sentinel., 1855-02-17
For the Washington Sentinel.
To the Editors Of the Sentinel;
GEORGETOWN COLLEGE, ID. c.,

TO the Editors Of the Sentinel:
GEORGETOWN COLLEGE, ID. c.,
February Is, 1855.
SIR A composition bearing the title OF
the Jesuits' oath,a has been circulating in
the papers Of the country, il is said, exten.
sively. On reading il myself, the imposition
seemed so glaring, so like Sternes curse, made
TO hand, for the Pope, that it seemed 10 me no
one could peruse it seriously. Friends, how.
ever, assure me that the oath is read BY many
with long faces. Despite then an extreme re.
pugnance to appear in the public journals, ]
request small place in your columns for the
positive and unqualified denial Of the use or
even existence, now or ever before, land this
| aver thoughtfully and with full knowledge) Of
any such oath among the Jesuits. If sum-
moned to court they may take the oaths as
other citizens, but as Jesuits, they take no
oath at all
am humiliated, as a Marylander, at being
called upon, on the borders OF my native State.
to make the above disclaimer, and thus repei
the charge Of more than latent treason The
Western Shore Of Maryland, the home OF my
childhood, has ever been n classic place
cherished in my heart with patriotic pride.
There are the remains of my grandfather, n
revolutionary soldier, and there in an adioin-
ing county, is the landing place Of "lhe Pill
grims Of st. Marys," whose brightest scenes
and best memories are imperishably connected
with the Jesut's name.
Such antecedents, though not ashamed Of
certainly should not have adverted 10. had not
an attempt been made by fabricated oath
and its ct ceteras, TO cast an unjust and deadly
odium upon a religious order, for which am,
at present, Superior in Maryland. | cannot
help seeing, IN this, an effort TO render me, and
my brethren in religion, aliens at home and
strangers by our own firesides. We are cruelly
misrepresented by the trainers of the above.
named oath. Were we more like the carica.
ture made Of MS, / feel convinced that thew
would like US better than they do. AS similation
would beget affection. Still, while, with a very
little heart-ache, forego their affection, due
respect for the opinions Of men of good will.
moves me to make brief declaration of our
tenets as Jesuits. For this purpose, will use
the highest official authority, and employ the
language Of one recently elected, and present
Superior General. quote from an encyclical
letter OF his received few days since: "The
Society OF Jesus being n religious order, has
no other doctrine, no other rule of conduct
than those Of the Catholic Church, as was pub
licly lydeclared bymy predecessor in ls47. Intact
and in right, the Jesuits are and declare them.
selves entirely unconnected with any political
party, be II what il may. Always and eyery-
where they say TO all by their teaching and by
their conduct: Render unto Caesar the things
that are C@sar's, and TO God the things that
are God's.'--(Mark IL, III Such are the
principles which the Society Of Jesus has al.
ways held, and from which il will never de-
part
This is the definition Of the Superior Cen
eral, and his declaration alone is or authority
for the whole society.
may yet refer to still higher authority. |
the constitutions of our society. These inca, |
pacitate member from holding any office of |
dignity or trust in IL, who intermediates in any /
political affairs, or business of State. fSee In. |
stitute, VOL 2, p. 3S0) Here we see the con.
stitutions OF the Jesuits, excluding them from
The political arena and the legislative hall.
Our churches and the liberty 20 do GOOD
must suffice for ms; and, whatever our enemies
may say, faithful history and grateful hearts do,
md will yet witness in our favor.
Respectfully,
CHARLrs HESRY SToyEsrRrfT, s, J..
Provincial Of Maryland