Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-05-20
&I'sabete Gully @l9onitor,
PUBLISHED AT 155 BROAD STREET, BY
j. MADISON DRAKE.
CATHOLIC PASTORAL.


Archbishop Spalding and the suf-
fragan prelates composing the Tenth
Provincial Council, which closed its
session in Baltimore on Sunday, the
End instant, has been made public.
We extract from the pastoral its re-
marks on certain points
Prominent among the evils we have
to deplore, and which are an evidence
of the growing RIGHTEOUSNESS of the
times, may be reckoned morbid taste
for indecent publications and the fire.
quentation of immoral or positively
obscene theatrical performances. No
entertainments seem sufficient to salts
fy the fast degenerating spirit of the
age, unless they be highly sensational
and calculated to crafty the most
purient appetites. We can hardly say
who deserve a stronger condemnation,
the actors who pander to the most
vitiated tastes, or the audiences who
encourage by their presence and APP
plaud these grossly indicate exhibit
tions. Both actors are spectators APP
pear to vie with each other in their
rapid march down the slippery road of
sin. The church, far from discounten-
ancing, has always encouraged inno-
cent and moderate amusements as
useful or necessary relaxations. But
while approving of harmless diversions
she never ceases to exercise her sacred
influence in censuring all amusements
which can be purchased only at the ex-
pense of virtue.
We deem it particularly our solemn
duty to renew our warning against the
modern fashionable dances, commonly
called German or round dances, which
are becoming more and more the occa-
sion of sin. These practices are SO
much the more dangerous, as several
persons seem to look upon them as
harmless, and indulge in them without
any apparent remorse of conscience.
But Divine revelation, the wisdom of
antiquity, the light of reason and of ex-
perience-all concur in proclaiming
that these kinds of entertainments,
even when restricted within tolerable
bonds of propriety, are attended with
more or less danger to the Christian
soul. If such has been the verdict of
God and His Church regarding less OBJ
jectionable forms of dancing, we can
not too strongly reprobate the system
of "rouud dancing" recently intro
Quoted Unto society, which shocks
every feeling of delicacy, and is fraught
with imminent danger to morals. 1t
can hardly be expected that any virtu-
GUS persons, unless they be more than
human, can, without detriment to
their souls, be present and take part in
such amusements where the eye is daz-
zled by an array of fascinating objects,
where the senses are captivated by en-
chanting music, and the heart is sway
ed to and fro amid the surrounding
gaiety and excitement. If the partici-
patton in such scenes should not at
first deeply wound the conscience. it
"grieves the spirit of Cod" and furn-
ishes the snow white lily of chastity,
the most precious ornament of the fe-
male sex, which she "carries in earth
en- vessels" The faithful are therefore
warned against participating in such
amusement.
The Pastoral goes on to denounce al
so the awful sin of numbering infants
before their birth, and urges the edu-
cation of "our colored brethren.