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

The Pope and the Arabs.
Our readers are probably all aware of the
famine in Algeria and of the hundreds OF
deaths that have recently occurred there
from starvation. They will find, too, in
another column the statement that our
Holy Father the Pope has recently con-
tributed the sum of a thousand dollars to
the relief of these poor sufferers.
This example ought to be pondered upon
by/Catholics as an instructive instance of
Christian charity. 1t is an authoritative
exposition of the meaning of that virtue,
and of the extent which it may be carried
without imprudence.
1t must be remembered that the Pope is
not only poor, not only dependent at pres
ent himself on the charity of the faithful,
but heavily in debt. The Arabs, moreover,
are infidels.- They have never contributed
any thing to the necessities of Rome, and,
therefore, in strict justice, nothing is due
them, as, in fact, nothing is to be expected
from them.
Plus TX might very well excuse himself
from giving, by arguing that he has nothing
to give, that he cannot meet his own cx-
penses, that what he has is not really his
own SO long as he is in debt. Of course it
would be more pleasant for him to be re-
ieved of the embarrassment of debt, and
more prudent, in a worldly sense, to pro-
vide for the emergencies that may assail
him at any moment. But real charity does
not look so far ahead for self. 1t is willing
to relieve another's evil which ascertain, at
the risk of itself mourning one that is I'M
certain, and considers neighbours life OF
debt. Consequently, Plus TX gave of his
poverty, considering his own danger less
greyious than the destruction of those who
were perishing.
Human benevolence, generally, gives OF
its superabundance. 1t acts within the
bounds of strict prudence, and does not
compromise its own comfort or eEdanger it's
future. 1t relies upon its own resources,
and will not permit its generosity to go SO
far as to involve them. Charity, on the
contrary, looks principally to the necessities
of the moment and trusts the future to God.
Reliance on the providence of God is, there
fore, an important element of real charity.
Viewed in this light, then, how many of
us practice reafcharity9 How many follow
the example of our inustrious Pope7 Many
give large amounts, but their gifts are not
as valuable in the sight of God as is the
widows mite. She gives of her necessities,
they give of their superfuity. Her gift
proves her reliance on Providence for aid ;
theirs shows. reliance on their own re-
sources. Hers comes from grace; theirs
from good nature.
No Christian ought to hesitate in charity
because his own future is not assured very
far ahead. He knows that the necessities
demanding relief are actual, those which
ne fears for himself may never exist. How
selfish to let our neighbor suffer now be-
cause we may possibly, after while, be
reduced to suffering ourselves! God is
willing to help that person now, through
us, and he will be perfectly able to repay
us before it will be missed. $685.
In the early days of Christianity the
brethren held their possessions in common.
The idea of permitting one to suffer while
another had plenty never occurred to them.
Now "a days, little children cry for bread
and go to bed hungry, while wealthy