The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-02-23

religion, or not very strong in faith, or NJ
{ faithful to the practice Of their religion
duties. We speak of those societies who's
spirit OF objects are incompatible with tn
teachings of the Church.
The spirit of association is undoubtedl
an excellent thing in itself, and quite j
accordance with the nature of man and til
wants of society. The Church has neve
opposed it. On the contrary, she has al
: ways encouraged that spirit seeking how
ever to keep it directed to its legitimat
purposes, and to preserve it from losin
its christian character.
Consequently we see that in the ages o
faith, when almost all the civilized worl
a knowledged the one faith, and in man!
respects the Church exercised a holy in.
huence on the institutions of society j,
every part of christendom associations wer,
formed under her protection. all animated
with spirit Of religion, all keeping il
view the interests of the spiritual order
while they watched over and protected
likewise the interests of the present life.
These associations were much superior te
tile most,of such organizations of the pre-
sent day, in their objects, their modes Of
action and their results. And they realized
as far as was possible in the circumstances
| of the times, that fraternity aud equality
which men of tho present day are strug-
Cling for; they did truly give great protection
to the people against tyrants, to the poor
against the rich, and to the weak against
the strong.
1t is twofold injustice then, to claim
OF association, which in truth has been
borrowed from the Church and to accuse
the Church Of opposing that spirit, while
she only opposes the abuses that are made
of it, and the false direction that some
men give to it.
We do then most sincerely and warmly
approve associations which are honestly
directed to objects of benevoience, or ofmu-
tual assistance and protection. These OBJ
jects are always good and the pursuit of
them becomes even christian virtue, if
you sanctify it by supernatural motives.
But it is evident that no Catholic can APP
prove, much less, become member of any
society, of which either the principles, the
spirit, the means or the end are incom-
patible with Catholic doctrine.
You cannot then, dearly Beloved Breth-
rem without grieyous and criminal dis
obedience to formal and positive laws of
the Church-yOu cannot take part in those
societies which are based on naturalism, on
rationalism, or on an imagined natural re-
ligion, and which regard as uncertain or
unnecessary the revelation which God has
made to man.
Vow are bound 70 keep entirely aloof
from societies founded upon the pretended
right of every man to make or to choose
religion for himself, one comfortable to
his passions and caprices !; and even to al
ter it to suit his interests and tastes as if
man could have right to ignore the in-
fallible word of God, and the teachings of
eternal truth.
You are likewise bound to take no part
in societies which require an oath before
the initiation of their members, that they
may moro effectually conceal the purposes
for which the association is designed. 1t |
is a most culpable imprudence and rash
ness to bind yourself by oath, in matter
which is yet unknown to you. Whenever
then the spirit and the object of society
are not clearly known, whenever they are
not clearly compatible with the teaching
Of the Church, you are strictly bound to
keep out of it; or if you are already in it,
to abandon it Immediately.
And bear in mind, Dearly Beloved, that
these obligations are not peculiar to our
They are the same laws which pre-
vail equally throughout the Cathlic world;
laws which it was both the right and the
duty of the Church to enact. For, since the
only rule of belief and of conduct for a
Catholic is the dogmatic and moral teach
ing of the Church, it is clear that whatev yer
is Incompatible with that teaching, an hon
est Catholic must regard as false and bad.
How can there be any agreement, as the
Apostle asks, between light and darkness,
between truth and falsehood, between
good and evil3
Do not then attach l,,t - 80