The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-12-06
Good Heading.

This beautiful book is 80 rich in APPROPRIATIONS
from our different Catholic periodicals, and
from eminent divines, that we might amply
Gull from these complimentary notices of the
press boquet replete with grace and sweet
ness.
But the work is too excellent to be passed
over with trivial reference; and though we
are unable to say anything better than what
has been already said, still we feel that it is
more than q pleasure, it is q duty to bring
Father Mueller's writings before the public
view, for they are calculated to inform the mind
expressions advisedIy, for all Catholic writings
should possess these two qualifications
knowledge and grace. An ignorant Catholic
is an enemy to the Church, and dissatisfied
one is traitor to his Faith. Father Mueller's
books both enlighten and edify the soul, and
while teaching the beauty and sublimity of
Catholic worship, they fill the mind with peace
and consolation The Sacrifice of the Mass is
the heart of our holy religion, whence flow
the purifying streams of hope and love and
joy, animating the faithful to an exact dis
charge of all their daily duties, inspiring the
religious orders with that wonderful zeal
which brings forth fruits of benediction, and
awakening in the anointed priesthood that
spirit of seff-immo1ation which leads them
over the burning sands and trackless oceans in
search of souls for Christ.
In regard to the Rev. writer himself, one who
knows him we'll says: Father Mueller is
walking Saint. It makes you love Jesus and
Mary and the Poor Souls only to look at or to
listen to him. I never thought him capable of
producing such soulstirring works; but, it
seems piety and zeal render him eloquent and
elegant, profound and thrilling. I marvel
how he finds time to write SO much and so
we'll, when know that he is day and night
busy with hearing confessions, consoling the
afflicted, making charitable collections, pray
ing, keeping his rules, ETC."
saint knows how to make saints of his
fellow men; and we love to read the teachings
of one who puts into practice his own beautiful
exhortations. We realize the sincerity of his
zeal, and the fervor of his charity, and are the
more willing to follow his guidance because we
know he walks before us in the way.
The eloquence of Father Mueller's pages is
truly wonderful when we learn that they are
written in language which is not his mother
tongue. How beautifully he speaks of "the
home-sickness of the soul, of the continual
restlessness that haunts us through life and
pursues even to the grave, that constant
craving for something more, something higher,
something better"
at is longing to be united to God-to
have God with us. 1t was God himself who
implanted in the human heart this craving for
the Real Presence and God has always found
means to satisfy this DESIRE"
The whole book then becomes an explana-
ton of tho wonder full mystery of Gods love
for man, and every detail connected with the
celebration of the August oblaton.is carefully
described and lucidly explained.
If ever our faith has remained cold and in
different in the presence of Oar Hidden God,
| this book, once read and meditated upon, will
| arouse its zeal and energy, and make il realize
the evidence of things unseen" It will
bring to the beart so strong conviction of the
| wonders of Gods ways, that adering love and
exultIng hope will find their Edeh-peace be-
fore the humblest altar on which the words of
conservation fall.
It gives exquisite details concerning the
ceremonials of High Mass-the music, the in
cense, the vestments-everythng pertaining
| to the Adorable Sacrifice. And surely, when,
| even to the untutored mind, these ceremonials
are fraught with awe and grandeur, how much
more sublime and consoling II they not ap-
pear to one familiar with their mystic, holy
| meaning.
"Were 1 to enter the Catholic Church to-
day." says Protestant writer of the last GEN.
tury, e it would be apt to put me in mind of
what St. John tells US he once saw in a vision ::
Another angel came and stood at the altar,
having golden censor; and there was given
unto him much incense, that he should offer it
with the prayers of the saints upon the golden
altar which before the throne of God.
And the smoke of the-incepse, with the prayers
of the saints assembled up before God out of
the angels hand These lighted affairs made
me naturally think of what the good old Simeon
said of Christ, light to enlighten the Gen.
tiles, and the glory of thy people, Israeli"
The chapter on "Mass, Sacrifice of Thanks
giving" is the one whose instruction is most
needed by our times. In the Catholic World for
1873 we read these words: "I have been priest