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

The Bishop of philadelphia on Secret sosisHss'
The Right Rev. DR.. Wood, Bishop Of Phha-
delphia, addressed q meeting of the Cathedral
Total Abstinence Benevolent Society on Sun
day, 4th January, 1874. His remarks wero
particularly directed against secret societies.
THE BISHOPS ADDRESS.
Nv friends, if had thought Of 1t, perhaps
would have hesitated to come here this eve.
ming, for might have known that l could nos
come among you without being expected to
ident called to see me yesterday morning,
about another matter entirely, ana after ne
had concluded his business, he invited me 20
ton, and as have just said, perhaps little
| rashly, as might have anticipated beng can.
ed upon for o speech. Now, my friends, am
of men present here this evening. You are
| engaged in o good cause, for your organization
good one and it has my sppTSoy.ah ao oas
| the approval of the Church. You have your
Spiritual Director with you to guide aud direct
you, and you are subject TO nus o!dets: Ana
any of those secret societies condemned by the
Church. l do not mean those where men as
sociate for mutual prossction' Dts tn M wnelo
an oath to do whatever isEeqnired OF them oy
the socety--su oath to perform with blind
obedience WlACeVor OrUoES Uuo booloty icoooos
suoh societies are in the highest degree dan
gerous,. They are the sources OF great evil
Most of the disorder nov prevalent IN Europe
is due to tho influence of these secret socletles.
The present calamities and persecutions of the
Church in Europe, notably in Germany, Italy
} and Switzerland, are due almost entirely to
members are called upon to take the lives OF
! their fellow-men. They are bound by an oath
. to do 90 whenever required, and if they fail,
SAL saIA This is no im.einary creation but is 2
, fact we'll known in Europe, and the Church
the Holy Father very p1opS.y Gasbo
] lies avoiding secret and other societies con-
demned by the Church. Aud would advise
you particularly to be careful not to join: g.
+ is not openly condemned by the Church, that it
is no harm to join it. That il mistake. Bet
down tho rule f0s naa
proved of by the Church..
Q Now there are some societies in this country
t gons Of this State that while not openly CON
q demned by the Church, are yet not safe to join.
3 They may become of great benefit to Catholics,
9 but moro probably they will be just the reyor.e
. of great injury. have carefully read their
y constitutions, which are drawn by very skill
: full and adroit hands, and I very much fear
:, will before long lead them into fatal mistakes.
9 They pretend to be Catholic societies, but re-
2 ally they are pot, fer they have not, like your
!. They keep themselves entirely Independent Of
:. all control of it's clergy, while at the same
% time they endeavor with all their power to use
o the prestige of the Church to gain aacessions
q to their ranks. The Church is like q good
If mother who watches over and admonishes her
/, children and that they do not stray out OF
Ia the true path. Hence I give you timely
10 warning against joining any of the societies l
d have alluded to. The malice bitterness, and
70 though we equally we'll know that they are
n practioed under the cloak of benevolence and
70 charity. Your organization has no objection
r able character, you have the approval OF the
ia throu Oh your Spiritual Director and through
va him with your bishop. Hence you must DC
n. careful to conduct yourselves like good chill
70 dren of the Church.
40 Then another warning l should give you
steer clear of politics. Practice charity to
or wards all perfect your union, thus strength
ne enipg yourself, and avoiding all outside com
ut binations. You, of course, have your own Pc
be litioal views. There is no harm in that, ou
~ views be careful of designing politicians, wh'
" might attempt to lead you into matters forelg'
to your organization. You are not allowed q
g q society, to meddle In politics. That 10 YER
a fortunate You muaf, keep to the purposes 9
he alone. You know the anecdote about tho bur
ar die of twigs. A strong man took o large stic
in and broke it easily across his knee, but whe'
IL he took a bundle of small twigs and attemPte
10. too much for him. 30 it is with you. Kee
re united-depend upon each other and upon you
no spiritual guides obeying the voice OF th
he Church in all things, and then you will not
ng left alone and easily broken. By listening
"a and bring down upon yourselves aud fsmiiie
be the blessings of God.
ed ---.-------
" CHANGES IN LIFETIA1E.-Mr. j. Bambe
loo 81, dad 1aat We a fAth(