The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-06-21

The disciple was not better than his mas,..
nor the servant than his Lord.
| This was exemplifed in the history of Chi.
tianity. That religion as born in the aponv 80
Calvary and reared in the shadows of the Cat,
combs. The Imperial persecution of three cent?
ries ceased, but to make way for the terror An,
ruin of Arianism. To that scourge succeeded
the fearful invasion of barbarian hordes, p.
fore the Goths, the Visigoths, the yaudals and
the Huns, monasteries, converts church,,
universities were swept away, and all Chris.
teudom was desolated. Then came Islamsm
with its wars and invasions, not fully put down
| when Protestantism appeared on the scene n
| fill again the cup of bitterness which mns,
always be present and can never be omit.
drained.
| After giving a short but glowing sketch At
this historical series, the reverend orator wan,
on to show that now, more than ever. was
prayer necessary, for now were dangers of the
worst and most universal character imminent
Infidelity is an all pervading poison. Mater.
| alism, Pantheism, Liberalism and irrelipion of
all kinds have corrupted the nations until mu
titudes believe neither in the Church nor in
its Founder, neither in the eternity of punish.
ment nor in Eternity at all. Their want of
faith has affected their morals, and drorce.
bribery. usury, dishonesty, have becsme not
only common but respectable. Nor has the
worst, perhaps, come; for the growing gener.
alton, educated in the moral darkness of the
public schools, bid fair to outstrip the present
population in wickedness.
To this popular spirit of evil is added the
perversion of national power, as witnessed in
the fury of Bismarck aud the French Com.
mune, tho weakness of Austria, the Masonic
control of Spain, Italy and Brazil, and the per-
secutions of Switzerland and certain Spanish
American Republics.
But, said Father Mckiniry, we cannot fear
The Rock is still there against which the
waves of human passion and error have al.
ways broken, and will always break, in vain.
The spray of the tempest may at times almost
obscure it in our sight, but at any moment the
hand of the Almighty may stretch forth com.
manding the waters to be still. Indeed he
said, we can perceive now in the Church GER
tain elements of triumph. The Episcopal
hierarchy has never been SO illustrous for
learning and unity as at this day, while the
people almost surpass the clergy in zeal.
Unions, conferences, sodalities, societies of
various kinds spring up in all directions, and
the most laborious plgrimages are undertaken.
1t is not, he continued, by carnal weapons
that We shall win the fight, but by prayer
especially as manifested in the wonderful de-
votion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the
Loving Heart of Mary. These are the arms be-
fore which the mighty shall fall. The kings and
the princes have taken counsel together, but
as of old, the Lord shall laugh at their might
and shall deride them in his wrath. He shall
rule them with rod of iron and break them
to pieces as vessels of potters' clay.
At the conclusion of Father McKiniry's ad.
dress, His Grace assembled the pulpit, and in a
voice rather trenlulous with emotion, but
singularly distinct read, first in French and
then in English the following
ACT OF CONSIDERATION OF THE DIOCESE AND
PROVINCE OF NEW. ORLEANS TO THE SACRED
HEART OF JESUS.
supremely amiable and most adorable
Heart of Jesus! 0 divine Heart, ever glowing
with love, which was opened and TRANSFERRED
upon the Cross, 30 as to pour down on all
mankind the treasures of Thy love and Thy
mercy! Behold us all, PROSTATE together in
Thy presence, to consecrate to Thee our whole
being, all that we have and all that we are
and by our alterations and our love to atone
for the Indifference aud outrageous offeHses,
which Thou receivest at the hands of so many
uDRrateIul men, winch OHenSeS we ourselves 1
have been SO often guilty Of but which we
in all the sincerity of our souls,
and in all the bitterness of our hearts Turn
away Thy eyes from our iniquities, and look !
rather at Thy Blessed Mother, the immaculate
Virgin, whose power over Thee is so wonderful,
and through whose hands We offer Thee our
homages and our prayers.
Surround with thy love, as with an impreg-
nable bulwark, Thy Spotless Spouse, the Holy
Catholic Church, our Mother, furiously as
sailed from all quarters; crush all her enemies,
and by bringing them to repentance, gain over
them that victory which will be most glorious
to Thee; shield with Thy all-powerful protec.-
ton Him whom Thou hast chosen to represent
Thee on earth, that great and glorious Pontiff,
who is so shamefuliy persecuted; cast down
merciful look upon this Diocese and this Pro-
vince of New Orleans, which promise to be /
wholly Thine; and while dispensing to us Thy
spiritual gifts, o all-loving Heart, avert from
rs the scourges by which are chastised, ana
which we have justly deserved, by our mani mani.
fold ingratitude. Enlighteu with Thy light
and enkindle with Thy flames the minds and
hearts of the sacred ministers to whose care
Thou hast entrusted this chosen portion OIL
Thy flock.
We consecrate to Thee all our parishes, rel.
yiouS institutions and all families. that Thou