The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1873-08-24

All readers will recall the exquisite descrp-
tlon of the married life of Albert and Alexan-
drna az msl In a Sisters Story; their charming home
az az Ca?tellamare. ; on the Bay of Naples; the
sions among the lovely islands of the bay
pious Pi1grimages to holy shrines; their sum.
n mer trip to the East their winter in Venice,
followed bv the declining health of Albert ;
their return to France, and the sanity death
of Albert at the early age of twenty -four.
Our american Catholic youth owe duty to
their Church and their country which they
neglect with criminal Indifference. What be-
come of the many young men of brilliant
promise who each year leave our Catholic col
leges laden with honorsf Why are their
voices never heard after commencement day 7
Why is their graduation thesis their last liter
ary compositionf 7 1t is because the seed of
learning planted in their minds at college,
like the seed of the husbandmau in the Gospel
when feli among thorns, is chOked with the
riches and pleasures of life and yields no
frnit.
No better example can be offered for the
imitation of American Catholic young men
than that of Montalembert, tho great orator
Of France: Even in his schoolboy days, his
ain was high and beautiful: he scorned all
folly and idleness. When he was only seven
tdn, he solemnly selected as his motto through
faithful until death. A young man of bril-
liant intellect, vivid Imagination and noble
Ambition, he determined to play IL mans part
inthe world, and earnesly longed for the time
nf the golden days of youth amid the gay
frkolities of fashionable amusement, fer he
v4aemently denied that youth was the lime
which shonld be devoted to the pleasures of
society. He contended that youth should be
given up with ardor to study or to preparation
for q profession. "Ah !" he exclaims, " when
one has paid ones tribute to ones country;
when it is possible to appear in society crown
ed With the laurels of debate, OF of the battle
field, or at least of universal wisdom when
one is sure of commanding respect and admi-
rat everywhere-theu it is the time to like
society, and enter it with satisfaction. can
of Commons, where they had struck their ad-
ve1Aaries dumb by their eloquence, and enjoy
inaa dinner party"
Rlis admirable advice from one who so
woEhly won his way in the world and Ill
soclty should be carefully considered by the
youth of America, who too frequently rush
int9society halfeducateh, and wholly unfit
for Ehe duties and responsibilities of the world.
An nrly marriage is the best beg inning for
tho$ not called to the ecclesiastical or reli-
giof state. 1t g YES at once an object and All
ainlto life. 1t fixes the heart, and keeps it
WARN and bright, preventing it from running
to waste. 1t is holy state, established by
Godas the ordinary means for the happiness
andIsalvation of the greatest number of the
faithful AS rule, it is tho safest state for
perSns living an ordinary life, and for many
il isl he only one which is safe. AS there is no
rul4 however, without exceptions, we do not
int ID to deny that there are many exceptions
to Is rule. Numbers of persons, esPecIa ally
amoG the devout female SEX are called to II
singh life in the world either by inclination
or nGesslty, and are both better and more
hnpH in that state than they would be i'll any
othel The reasons which we have presented
III t$or of marriage and of early marriage
apply therefore, only generally and not UNI.
versAly to persons III all the ranks aud coudI
tion4I society, and have their more especial
! toI Cf in relatian to those who live i'll what is
callcI the world" but most especially in
, refeItI tIce TO young men.