The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-19

the question which your action has createdi ana
this | would wish them to understand. When q
priest is at once, you are, religious OF an order
and o preacher, there is double authority to which
he is subject. As religious, he is subject TO his
superior as preacher, he is beholden TO the bishop
of the diocese In which he exercises his sacred
his n1onastic life, his superior cannot command MN
in his apostolic ministry. The doctrines OF the con
ferences Of Notre Dame are dependent on tne hLcn-
bishop Of Paris, and when at the end OF STATION
the archbishop ascending the pulpit, IN ms turu,
ratnes the doctrines which have been adduceu oy
OF the bishop and his simple vicar, re,; retres;
the bishop alone is responsible before ue hos no
longer the RIGHT TO saw to YOU 'You have preached IN
such and such manner; wish tnat you w mVu sponIS
sustain such theories any l0ngedtr tnt he ia guilty
renounce such tendencies" II nc dla ond, n0 y shoS
OF usnTpaon ia the order OF the hleraTchy; UsVP
is higher than the superior OF an order h1n tbs
then by your COURAGEOUS protest, mantalheu Ine
liberty Of the preacher and the rights on Ine ElSov
pal hierarchy In that regard you nave Oeen pon el
nently Catholic; and doubt not VnaC none'
which has the ancient character of weigh
ing these things maturely, does not umaer- l,ne
stand the question i'm the true point OF view.
II Won are wrong in this act which ] have
SO much praised, it must be granted that the mis-
sion which is given to us in the pulpit does not de-
pend any longeron the Episcopal hierarchy, but on
the conventual authority To tell yon my mind
coming Council will approve of this upsetting OF
the hierarchical order in the Church. Your violent
enemies have guarded themselves against running
foul OF this serious aspect Of the question: and the
writers OF the independent press are not sufficiently
acquainted with ecclesiastical matters to have under
monk throwing or his frock, and enthusiasts have
taken advantage of the petty occasion 10 say
"COme, make another step in advance come 10 US
come to the advocates OF free thought" You have
to thank them for this attention They are without
any doubt very honorable men in the diocese or M
Sainte Beuve. But simple conflict IN which you
assume your liberty by going out of the closter as
you would assume in leaving the parochal aminstry
for the closteT is not event Of such gravity that
your faith should be pledged In whatever might be,
and that you would have to cast 1t to the winds Wta
your cloth, to take refuge against perse-
ontfnn n 10
found rest, When the excitement arst aroused
by your letter shall have subsided, men
OF calm and sober minds will return to your opinions
You will not, however, bring back your enemies
they have been so happy, from the fervent eXclama
appeal to the Sovereign Pontih to all future coun-
ellis, and to Christ himself, the proud revolt or the
monk They have not re Tehected mat that 70 appeal 70 70
councils and TO Christ is to believe in the authority
Of councils and to place ones self under the sale
guard OF the Church and Of its Divine founder In
the diocese Of M. Sainte Beuve | do not know
whether they take such precautions. But when,
even under the first impression of your profound
concern some expressions in your letter would have
had all the theological rigOr which could be desired
that did not cause a rupture. The cruel phrase
'aThe fall of Father Hyacinthe," which have read
in many Of the religious papers, is base calumny
and a remarkable Misrepresentation. ! am glad to
dangerous violence. We gain nothing in the Church
in drawing up our own soldiers against us. 1t has
been said Luther, Calvin, Lamennas have passed
away, and the Church remains. Yes, but two
thirds of Europe and the New World are Protestant
Yes, but since the deplorable detection or Lamen-
nais the Church of free thought has assumed
among the educated classes vast develop
ment. Foolish, indeed, are those who do not
see these things | have the good fortune to see
them and express my feelings. This insane de-
sire TO make herecs and apostates at all hazard,
and at the least cause is unhappily not new among
us. 1t has, however, assumed greater intensity in
our age. thank God that am free from this folly
This, then, my dear and ustrious brother, how
ever little may he my power in the Church, is
the reason have resolved to divest myself with
Christian joy Of participation in the calumnies,
the injuries, the baseness and coWardice which
overwhelm you. know that there are among the
clergymen who have the same calm and impartial
Judgment regarding the matter, but who have not
pens with which to declare their thoughts as have
declared NINE In conclusion, were to be alone in
regarding your initiative in favor OF liberty, honor
my dear and worthy brother, the expression OF my
most devoted sentiments. Your very humble SER
want, LIABLE j. H. MCHoN.
MONTANSIEu Oct. 6. 1869.