The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-01-24
Before the Fire.

= We are told that the Christian should so
aoo In everything, and everything in God
!. ana the Church, which has prayer upon he
lips for every occasion in life, teaches he
2 children to raise their hearts to their Heavenl
Father, oven when sitting before the 6re. An
these are the beautiful words which she sup
, gests to meditative minds:
20 my Jesus! inAame my cold heart wit
the fire that ever burns in Thy sacred heart
and by Thy infinite merits, deliver me from tn
eternal fire which deserve on account of m,
sins"
From this ejaculation the mind is led on Il
other thoughts, until the bed of Goals become.
book of shining pages in which we read the
teachings of the Saints.
a black lump of mineral, cold in itself and
useless to all mankind, is placed upon the
burning fire. and in few moments it becomes
q glowing body, radiating the heat it has
acquired, and dispensing light and comfort to
all within its influence. In the same way is
the heart of man affected when placed in con-
tact with the heart of God.
Within that burning furnace, indifference and
seihshness change to zeal and ardent charity
| and the soul that was cold to the claims of the
destitute, and black with ingratitude to God,
sends forth its flames of loving worship to
bless the poor and give glory to the Eternal
Father.
Then, as the freight flickers, losing its clear
steady flame, and we come to it's assistance
with timely aid, feeding it with fuel, and open
ing current for the air; are we reminded
OF that infinite care which watches over our
lives, furnishing all the material comforts of
being, and stimulating them with the holy
breath of hope and affection.
Then comes the reflection that the glory of
this world ia like flame, transient in it's glow
and needing human help to keep it burning;
SO unlike the glory of virtue, which shines the
brighter in the midst of desolation, and leaps
the higher when all earthly props fall from
beneath it.
Inc Church makes of q handful oe
smoking fax to teach salutary lesson to her
highest dignitary upon earth, even to her In.
faliloie Pontif On the occasion of the corona.
mon OF new Pope, clerk Of the papal chapel
nolds up before him a reed surmounted by n
wlsp OF hax. This is lighted for moment IL |
oiazes up, then dies out, and only its ashes fall
az tne Pontifs feet, while the chaplain chants
alond; Holy Father, thus passeth away the |
glory OF the worldW This impressive ceremony
Is three times repeated, as though to counter
act, according to Cardinal Wiseman's teachings.
the earthly influences of triple crown
In regard to Leo XII, whose coronation was
witnessed by Cardinal Wiseman, we quote
tnese lines from that elegant writer, because
everyth thing connected with the Church's Head.
either IN times past present, is of interest to
lie Pope pale and languid, seemed to
bend bis head, not in acquiescence merely, but
rs though in testimony to that solemn declara-
lion; like one who could already give it the
evidence of experience.
His eye was soft and tender, moist indeed;
and glowing with spiritual emotion. He
ooked upon that passing flash as on q symbol
Which he deeply felt. as on the history of
whole pontiicate-of his own-not long to
cad But the calm serenity with which be {
eemed to peruse it, the sincere acceptance =
II tne lesson stamped upon his features c
moved no suspicion of an inward feeling that n
equlred the warning. It seemed in most per- o
eoe harmony with his Utmost thoughts" r.
Ere inc visible, perceptible, simultaneous
nasion OF light and heat, was considered g
She snoients as worthy of worship We. of =,
''uern days, know as little of the nature of m
10 as our torefathers did and even to us IL ia L
type Oh Delsy. All mysterious, all powerful. a.
"rce OF all material life, it is not to be won la
'fou at mat certain nations accepted il as Il
OBJECT OF alteration; and it is to the credit or
.ne irish people that while other Pagan Pi
'eons bowed down to idols of stones, or to
imais of the lowest order, the Celts raissd Of
their thoughts to the. noblest principle Of wi
20 INC ever-beautifu, ever new, ever rel
a = source of light and heat, the Sun,
ou' as we sit before the fire, the quiet of the
I'M around Us recalls that upper ohambern
ere In the form of tongues of living fire. the
~ Ghost descended upon the Apostles hal
nered there And the mysterious FIRE. en- sui
uieo IN tnose chosen hearts, still burns in n o
,es of tb;. go. ,tsn'ing up the desert Cal
Jos VI 'nis earth and guiding souls across Z
darkness into light. ers
o"' as the glowing Goals fall aslant oo,h eac
er, and q crimson glare strikes aoros. ~ POI
It, we recall the foo.f,1 AOs' our ma,
ing sword +t.t VISION OF the lie t