The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-06-19
80 MORNING. HRSsEagRp aThnay nrr !. -

lllNG 6IAR AND CATHOLIC /
whieh thought = chryitalised and maa
into act When this spiritual word linear
nases tt.s6 in sensihls signs, IL emiarste
INTO sae region Of reAeetaon. and falls With
IN sne domain and u, temporarily at least
i.aple 70 AL tho vicissitudes and modifica
saons OF human speech but a. no human
| speech, or any other speech, Except on,
american volatility in swearing,) can b.
even amaginably human invention, i,
follows, with the rigor Of mathematical
deduction, that the first intimation of the
moral law was . free gift of God. That
e5od Is free, and leaves his creatures free,
we have in these columns abundantly
proved, and the consciousness we have of
our own contingency tells us at every mo-
ment. Without primitive revelation
even philosophy, with which we are deal
ing now, would be impossible and it is
only in the splendor Of this revelation that,
as we have proved, the principles of human
science are evident. In it we see the law
OF moral obligation; without it we have no
rule OF action by which we can be ration
ally obliged. In this world it is our only
light, and in the next the veil, as the word
implies, being removed, it will be our soli-
tary glory. But as mankind has ALWAYS
hved under o supernatural Providence, 10
naturally experiences the absence, and.
with that faint longing which still fingers
In the sightlsss eye for the beauties hidden
from it forever, yearns for the return of
the divine light, which in fuller splendor
VIII show it its celestial heritage, and by
lighting it back to the point at which it's
commenced, guide it onward
to that other point at which it's destinies
will be actualized, and it will be it's full
self In the possession of the object of it's |
vocation. That this fuller light has been |
shed upon us, all modern history testifes, |
and one of these days we shall show, all
ancient history corroborates the testimony.
The moral law is divine, from whichever
nde you view it I; and as in itself it is per-
ect, so also in it's fulfilment it will ulti-
nately be complete. The Projections of
Tod, which, from the imperfection of our
orm OF speech, we designate as moral
uch, for instance, as goodness, wisdom,
ustlce, providence-are in reality but the
lifterent aspects in which we view the law in
is bearing on the created things dependent
n its authority. This law, therefore, is not
merit, but essentially and eminently active
nd tecund, and sees to it's own observance.
OF only within the narrow limits of earth,
ut also through the vast expanse of the
inverse. Hence it is not only a law-giver
ut also judge, armed, like human law, :
18th the power of Furnishing, but, unlike
uman law, furnished also with the means !,
rewarding those who faithfully observe
J. In it we find combined all those titles
our recognition and respect which in :
uman Jurisprudence are borne by several
lstinct individuals. If, under the actual
of time, the law is frequently :.
ansgressed by it's subjects, this il per-
lifted, not from weakness or impotence,
1T with wise foresight; because the tenn.
'rary abuses of free will in it's present
ate of probation contribute to the growth
virtue here and the reign of happiness
reafter. But in the very act of its being ~
plated, the law asserts its supremacy ',
nee the salutary terrors experienced by
9 guilty, and the consoling hope which is -
yer dormant in the bosom of the inno- =.
Mt. The law is patient and long suffer- d
9, because it is omnipotent; it does not -
ecipitate the developments of time, be- Is
use it has all eternity to itself. Even -
. temporary desuetude into which, ~
long some people and nations, it seems u
fall, will contribute to its final triumph, p
len all the considerations of free will
al be reviewed in the Court of God, and o'
, divine reign is inaugurated, foretold by al
, prophets and carnally interpreted by 1e
} Chiliasts. Then the law, which is the M
al type of creation, will be fully incar- sa
ted in the elect souls which have studied
conform to it, and will render them
rthy of participating in the privileges of
} idea itself, and enjoying that immortal SO
ss which is the term and fulfilment of of
Moral Law. CT
Corpus Christi. %
This very solemn festival, occurring last sa