Ellsworth American., 1871-02-16

obedience to the voice oil the Church,
as TO that of Christ himself, and he is
encouraged ia this obedience by the
obvious aud palpable fact, that the
Church has always taught him and his
foreiathcrs the self same doctrines, with
out any contradiction or variation, over
eighteen centuries.
He has. moreover, Sacraments COLI
tanning graces for every emergency in
life, and aids for every human iuirmity.
la infancy he is washed from original
sin in the sacred law of baptism; when
confirmed. he receives the grace to pro.
iess the Faith like the true soldier OF
Jcse. Christ: il wounded in battle. he
find, healing balm in the sacrament
of pcnancc; il lie wishes to enter the
marriage life, special grace is given
for that state. Finally, when on the
point of death, he Is mointod with oil,
and thus receives special grace to die
well. After death. ho is again carried
to the Church. 10 receive the prayers OF
that tender mother, who took him 10
her bosom in early infancy, aud now
tearfully aud praycriully consimgs him
to the grave. in the blessed hope ot his
glorious resurrection. Surely. my dear
Peter such doctrines a, these are a.
strongly conducive 10 holiness. as they
are unearthly aud supernatural in their
chafacier ami origin. Mau could not
have devised such system AS this, it is
plainly above hl- reach, ii savors OF
Heaven. | may then ask YOU, what is
there that j. conducive To- holiness,
which the doctrine, oi the Catholic
Church have not abuudantly provided. I.
What is there that i requisite to the re-
moval of sin, or the be.towal ot grace :.
Has she ever sanctioned vice or pro-
scribed virtue? II 80 let IL know when,
here. and under what circnmstanccs
Ii2. she not, at all times, given the
brightest examples OF heroic virtues,
such IL the Protestant communions
have never exhibited? Most undoubt-
edly. And now whilst the name Of
revolution Is sweeping over Europe,
couioundin. the ancient landmarks,
and breaking the helm in the hand, OF
Statesmen. the Church towers above
the storm, and invohcs the blessings of
libert. liberty and triumph are ~
nonlInou, IN the language OF the Church.
She declare. unto all men, you're bound
bt th@ solemn warming o. God. to hear
hi. Church, your salvation depends on
Your obedience to this prccepi; but if
lou choose TO disregard tie Divine
command, 90 Your way, follow Tie voice
that will dec.ive YOU. associate with
some little sect OF yesterday, all that
ehr claim. Tor her.clf, is what you're
anxious for yourself, freedom, IoIera-
tion the rights of conscience. II is ia
language like this, that the great Church
oi God speaks continually TO the Ia
tions, not a contentious minority, scat
tered here and there, but multitudes
that cannot he counted, haste.ing in
millions To their Caihedrals and Chur-
ches, actuated by one feeling. all be-
lieving alike, and receiving the same
sacraments. and that for eighteen hun
dred years now gone by. According To
modern writers. the Church ought to be
like the crippled monarchics OF Europe.
stopped with age, aud sinking 10 dis-o-
luton; but, my dear Peter, the blow
which cripples empires, does not affect
her dominion, she is the companion, but
neve, the victim of time
Wishing YOU every success. and most
anxious 10 haye the pleasure OF your
acquaintance, AIN dear brother, Peter,
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Wtrr.A