The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-08-06
Cool Weather Religion.

frleSC.
Cool Weather Religion.
A recent number of the New York Times
has the following:
Our columns of Monday morning are now
full of announcements of Protestant churches
to be closed for the summer season.
And immediately after this it states that
the Catholic churches are never closed, and
that even the highest dignitaries of that
Church remain at their post all summer.
This strongly anti Catholic journal then
goes on to show how absurd it is to suppose
that there is not population enough left
in the city, even during the hottest wea-
Their, to fill the churches, and comments
very unfavorably upon the contrast which
Protestant ministers permit to exist be
tween themselves and the Catholic clergy
in this matter.
We think that the Times is rather unjust
in it's structures. Are not the congregations
as much to blame as the preachers in the
establishment of this custom7 Are they
not glad of an excuse to stay away from
ohurch-just as glad to get rid of the
preacher as the preacher is to get rid of
themf There is no early mass for them to
attend, no chance to escape the heat, the
state dressing, the stiff stylishness of the
long midday service. 1t is for them either
the elaborate toilet of full dress or no
church. Why, they will not fix up for the
opera id such weather, why should they go
to church
And then again, are not the members of
the congregation right in thisf IT is not a
matter of obligation in their creed to go to
church on Sunday. 1t is good thing, in
deed, to go, but no sin-certainly not q
mortal one-to stay away, especially if they
read the Bible at home and say some extra
prayers. What is their church, in fact,
that they should be under any obligation
to go to it'll Are they obliged to pay any
especial regard to the sentiments of their
minister7 Have they not as good right
to their opinion as he to hist Is he their
teacherf Nonsense! He is at liberty to
believe as he pleases, and so are they.
Why then be obliged to go to hear him
preachi Even Catholics, with all their
strictness are not obliged to hear any body
preach, they need only attend mass but
the Protestant has no mass, nor anything
| in its place. As their church, then, has nc
living existence and power of its own, nc
authority over them save as voluntary
association, let them stay at home If they
choose, in comfortable neglige, read one
chapter in the Bible and dozens of them II
| Charles Reade's "Terrible Temptation
or some other new utterance of yellow
| back wisdom, and dismiss the pastor tx
green pastures.
Yes, let the parson go and enjoy himsel
with his wife and family, just like any othe
professional gentleman with handsome
salary. He has no catechism class OF un
kempt, carroty heads to prepare for frs
| communion he has no confessions to hea
during the long sweltering hours of Satur
day afternoon and evening, giving kim
encouragement to this one, wise advic
to that, stern reprimand to another, heal
ing discussions here, directing a restora
ton to be made there; he has no parent
of newborn babes pressing for immediat
baptism, and unwilling to wait. for fear 9
an accident; he has no shanties and dar
alleys to visit with q kind word and relic
, for the poor and unfortunate, with tn
Holy Sacrament of love for the humbl
penitent stricken with pestilence, and OK
IRENE JUNCTION for tho dying. Alb, no! II
has in his church no sacrament but one, an
that is a symbol, and no poor at all, fe
= poverty is not respectable. So let him g.
In fact, he is going, and the priest
y coming.
a THE OLD THIRD. - Interesting Ceremonies
y the Parish of st. Boniface.-Last Sunday Il
congregation of the Church of st. Bonifac
with many invited guests, among whom we