Ellsworth American., 1871-02-16
Miscellaneous.
ELLSWORTH, Nh, }
February 3, ls.i.}
{ >t. Paul. first hermit

ELLSWORTH, Nh,
February 3, 1871.
Fcs~t Of i. Paul, first hermit
DLAE PrTEE.-In the spirit OF friend
ship. harmony, aud brotherly love, |
now address YOU, and before replying
TO youI objections in the Ellsworth
american of January 10Th, Id like,
with Your permission, TO give you an
account OF the faith, which /, in union
with $50 million Catholics ali over the
world believe, without any change or
deviation. in the long lapse of centuries.
Primo. The distinctive doctrines of the
Catholic Church, when rightly under
stood. and properly appreciated, have
remarkable tendency to promote piety
among her members. Here we have
an altar, as christians had in the davs
of st. Paul, Hebrews, 18th chap, 10Th
verse, daily sacrifice; Churches always
open TO worshippcrs, and in Catholic
countries, constantly visited by wor-
slippers at almost every hour of the day;
SbdiNH'e IA !" vi elItllt
PRAYER ever ascends, like incense. up 10
Heaven; Churches, in word, TO which
that respect is shown which is due to
the house Of God, in which hs delights
TO dwell in the midst of his children.
Here, too, the standard OF holiness is
very high: the Catholic is taught from
earliest lite TO pray, not only at Church,
but also every morning and evening at
home, he is taught TO cultivate a spirit
of prayer. of habitual union with God,
kept alive by daily meditation on his
holy law. He is taught to read spirit
ual books, 10 mediate on the lives and
examples Of the saints. in order to stin-
ulate his fervor, and TO excite him to the
practice Of every virtue; to examine
his conscience daily, and thus to keep
himself in state Of watchfulncss and
preparation. He is also told that he
must deny himself, cruelty his flesh with
lis vices, blend fasting with prayer,
"chastise his body, and bring it into
subjection," as did ST. Paul, lst. Corin-
thians, 9Th chap, humble himself in all
things-avoid the occasions of sin, and
keep himself undefled by this world.
lie Is, moreover, taught that il he feel
special grace and calling Of God, he may
retire from the world, enter into holy
solitude, embrace life OF poverty,
chastity, and obedience. and devote
himself, body and soul, to the more
perfect service of God during his whole
life. If he feel the courage TO embrace
this manner of life, he has an abu undance
of examples to encourage him, besides,
a variety of institutions among which to
make his selection. In a word, he is
told that whether he remain in the
world, or embrace religion, he must live
holly, go to Church every Sunday, and
not expect to 60 to Heaven but by the
rugged way of the cross, and of daily
and hourly modification and penance.
He does not believe that faith alone will
save him, nor does he feel tempted to
relax his eXertions, under the persuas-
ions that his sins are forgiven him, and
that he is one Of the elect. lie is, Oh
the contrary, taught "to work out his
salvation with fear and trembling" to
make sure his vocation BY good works,
knowing full well that faith without |
works is dead. He il taught, that God |
~;Ils his salvafion hat that hia ovn "a
operation il withal necessary, aud hay-
ing free viii, hs may neglect Or rsfuse |
he pro6ered grace, and thereby run to