The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-03-08

Once month would be nearer the mark, s
we take into account the long winter, when
no one goes to church if he can help it.
; Now clergyman is not admitted into So
ciety in Germany or at least not into the
society of which I WRITE The peasants 90
to church, but the poorer classes in the
towns look on the "black coatst with
prejudice and aversion, seldom darkening
the church doors, and resenting anything
like advice, as though it were interference,
have sayings and songs In abundance to the
discredit of the clergy, and do not scruple
TO use the strongest language in speaking
OF their spiritual pastors. Within the magic
fcircle of noble blood s,.e Protestant clergy
man is never admitted; or, If admitted, on
terms that clearly define his position and
set seal upon his inferiority. The middle
class still remains-the class from which he
himself springs, and in which he therefore
naturally feels himseh most at home.
his influence. He is the same as the lawyer
next door, or the linendraper over the way.
His priestly ONCE endows him with no
special dignity, nor is he treated with any
additional respect. They call him !" Herr
Pastor" and he takes his hand at whist, his
secular in his talk as they. In this way he
acquires no polish, nor is it possible that he
should do SO. The classe bourge0ise in Ger
many and our "middle-class" are thou
sands of miles apart. They have the ad-
vantage of us in education their inteli-
gence is greater, their requirements more
varied, their knowledge more accurate and
extensive, perhaps, than ours. But their
manners! Shade of William of Wykeham
forfend that should attempt to describe
their manners!
AS has already been said, a German
Protestant clergyman is nO,ohere, his opinion
is as nothing, his influence absolutely NIL
He is, in sober truth, of very little account.
Nobody minds much what he says ON things
in general; and were he to speak of those
well become him to speak out of the pulpit
as well as in it, he would not even be toll
Grated. Let him take his hand at whist
let him have his afternoon game at bowls
or skittles, and smoke his quiet pipe whilst
he thus amuses himself, and his fellow-citi-
Pipes and skittles are becoming diversions,
and beer and tobacco promoters of good fell |
lowship; only do not let him show that he is |
Tor ought to beg different from them, or all |
amity will be at an end. His life differs |
but little from theirs chiefly perhaps in
that their day of rest is his day of labor.
His wife does her duty as Hausfrau, not
troubling herself about theology, parish
schools, refugees, homes, or hospitals his
daughters knit his stockings and make his
shirts, and cook and wash and iron and sew,
in q way that leaves little time over for
4" Shakespeare and the musical glasses"
With his family he talks of his pigs and
geese; with his neighbors of the gas and
taxes of religion no mention is made, nor,
fear, is the enthusiasm of humanity"
very strong upon him. He drOnes ON inof-
but no burning charity, no ardent
love, no fervent zeal, no divine spark CLOVIS
in his breast, or awakens his dull soul to
he breaches his Sunday dis
course, and thinks, good easy man." that
therein his whole duty is accomplished.
Pppf fIpn cIA oil Il IL 4
there is the laity. To me, the
longerI looked, the more it seemed that
the Professionalism of Germany. was but q ,
sorry pretense at religion; that it was but
dry bones, and dust and ashes. What with
the feebleness and SHORTCOMINGS of the
clergy, and the GOODNESS and contempt Of '
The laity, the spectacle is a sad one for out
siders to contemplate. Amongst my fair g
friends was a lady supposed to be very !
g pious 5" that is, she went to church regu- q
arly every Sunday when it was not too late
,r too cold, and did not hail, or rain, or
blow, or SNOW. nDear madam. y said to
Ter one day, chow is it never meet DIR. . =
Bonner at your housef" (Dr. Bonner was t
Ter favorite preacher; he[was also a clever :
nan, and had written a1earned book about Z
he minarets of the Mosque of Omar.) 1
"Why," said she, he is, certainly a most " "
.stimable man, highly educated, and all
hat sort of thing. but you know he is not T
quite--of course don't mean n
o say . word against him, but the preiu- s.
Ices of society must be respected" This pp
vas a most impotent apology, and re-
olved forthwith not to accept it. But, tz
ny most gracious lady," said 1, addressing
Ter according to prescribed formula, "yon r.
Expect that man to take your soul to at
leaven, and yet you think his presence will Il
ontaminate your body, and you refuse to W VI
breathe the same air with him outside I'll
he church. Upon this she looked aghast,, 81 81
Tut, being gentlewoman, courteously for ae
'ore to notice my boorishness. She paused
moment before replying, and then said
uietly: ~ know what you mean-but- -
is impossible; people would be offended he
asked him to meet them, and DR.. DON e