The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-01-25
tn. Bishop Of philadelphia on Secret Societies.

The Bishop Of Philadephis on Secret Societies.
The Right Rev. DR.. Wood, Bishop of Phila-
delphis, addressed o meeting of the Cathedral
Total Abstinence Benevolent Society on Sum
day, 4th January, 1874. His remarks were
particularly directed against secret societies.
TIE BISHOPS ADDRESS.
NV friends, if I had thought of it, perhaps
I would have hesitated to como here this eve
come among you without being expected to
say at least, q few words. Your worthy Pres
ident called to see me yesterday morning.
had concluded his business, he Invited me to
visit you this evening. accepted his invita-
ton, and as have just said, perhaps little
rashly, as might have antioipataa oeing cali.
very much pleased 20 see such q lPge number
of mon present here this evening You are
engaged in q good cause, for your pganization
ia q good one and it has my apptoval. Your
society is not like other societies that have not
the approval of the Church. You have your
Spiritual Director with you to guideand direct
you, and you are subject to his orders. And
here let me give you q warning aganst joining
any of those secret societies condemned by the
Church. do not mean those Whole men as
the members have to take an oath &secrecy-
All oath to do whatever is required Of them by
Tho sar,aiS-ah oath to perform With blind
obeeienca whatever orders the soeiAiv issues.
Such societies are in the highest degree dam
Tssz are the Eus ss
is due to the influence Of these secret aocieties
The present calamities and persecutibns Of the
Church in Europe, notably In Germeny, Italy
and switzerland, are due almost e4treiy to
| their Vaccinations. In some of these societies
| members are called upon to take the lives of
their fellow-men. They are bound bS an oath
1 AVID Ehavf nSv
their ewn lives pay the penalty of THOR refu-
sal. This is no imaginary creation put Is .
fact we'll known in Europe, and theE Church
such societies. Hence the necessity Of Catho-
lies avoiding secret and other societies con-
demned by the Church. Aud I would advise
you particularly to be- careful uos to lon Sc
is not openly condemned by the Church. that it
is no harm to join it. That is a mistakk Bet
ter be it to lay down the rule for youRsves,
that you. will jei1n amos no society that is Vt APP
p Now there are some societies in this cSnatry
and particularly in the coal and miniHg re-
gions Of this State, that while not openlS con-
demnsd by the Church, are yet not safe tpjOin.
They may become of great benefit to Catf olics,
but more probably they will be just the rSggse
bv
ful and adroit hands, AID I very much fear
that their entire Independence of the Chprch
will before long lead them into fatal mistakes.
ally they are not, fer they have not, like Your
organization, the approval of the Church:
They keep themselves entirely independent Of
all control of its clergy, while at the same
the prestige of the Church to gain accessipns
to their ranks. The Church is like a gSod
mother who watches over and admonishes Der
children and sees that they do not stray OUT Of
the true path. Hence 1 give you Timely
, warning against joining any of the societies
have alluded to. The malice, bitterness, ani
bigotry iof secret societies well known
though we equally well know that they are
charity. Your organization has no objections
able character, you have the approval of the
Church you are connected with the Church
, through your Spiritual Director and through
him With your bishop. Hence you must he
careful to conduct yourselves like good chill
dren of the Church.
Then another warning should give you
steer clear of politics. Practice charity to-
r wards all perfect your union, thus strength
, enipg yourself, and avoiding all outside com
binations. You, of course, have your own DO
, litical views. There is no harm in that, bu
while you are at liberty to entertain your
Z views be careful of designing politicians, who
might attempt to lead you into matters foreign
to your organization. You are not allowed al
q society, to NEEDLE in politics. That is very
fortunate. You must Keep to the purposes o
your organization and leave outside matter.
, alone. You know the anecdote about the bun
r die Of twigs. A. strong man took large stick
! and broke it easily across his knee, but when
he took a bundle of small twigs and attempted
to do the same thing with them he found them
. too much for him. So it is with you. Keep
united-depend upon each other and upon you1
spiritual guides, obeying. the voice of the
left alone and easily broken. BY listening to
the ceunsels of the Church you will prosper
and bring down upon yourselves and families
the blessings of God.