The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-09


does, and takes as the main scope of human
life and exertion, an end which G cd forb,ds
The world lives for this life only. This i,
| the peculiar characteristic spirit of the
world as coutrasted with the spirit of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, which would have
us live for the fife to come. The world il
carnaa and seeks carnat things and it's sole
occupation ls the pursuit of the riches,
pleasures and honOrs of this life. In this
consists the observation-disclosures of worldly
life with true Christian life and where
every thing outward is on the side of the
world, the conclusion is unavoidable that
the spirit of the world is there also. 1t is
THE that should cause serious apprehension
IN those Catholics to whom we refer. 1t
Is not necessary that they should expressly
exclude God and religion from their
thoughts-the world does not expressly do
that-it is sufficient that by the general con
duct of their lives they deny that they
must live for the next life, and must seek a
blessing from God upon all they think and
cay and do, for by these they are to be
judged.
Now what is there to give assurance of
oetter shlngs than appear outwardly in the
lives OF those careless children of the
Church They do, as society does, as the
great number do, as the world does. In
the pursuit of temporal and material inter
ests, they act from the same motives, with
the same aims, for the same ends, and with
the same all engrossirg of the mind and
heart that the world does. Even when the
ways OF the world and society are unmis-
takably in opposition to the spirit and
teachings of religion, and the voice of duty,
of conscience calls loudly for consideration,
the voice Is not heard or needed, or is
Quoted with specious pretenses of occasions
aud circumstances as admitting of indul-
gence and excuse. Under constraint we go
toto some details. In following, for in
stance, the fashions of the day, they conform
to modes and forms of dress which are in
open violation of the requirements of med
esty.
No Catholic, indeed, matron OF maiden,
with due regard for that sense Of delicacy
which her religion inspires, can adopt the
fashion of dress in vogue at the present
time. They freely take part, and allow
their daughters to take part, in certain
kinds of dances which the Church has ex-
pressly denounced, and which the moral
sense even of the world at large regards as
of Questionable propriety. In the unre
strained liberty allowed to young people in
their intercourse with each other, and in re
spect of their readings, amusements, enter
tainments, company keeping" (and most
emphaticaily in respect of this last) the
deiDquencies ia point of parental duty re-
veal a bunting of Catholic scnsibilities that
is very difficult to reconcile with real senti-
ments OF faith. SOch freedom permitted to
young people, and other social customs of
this country in several respects, are abhor-
rent to all principles of Catholic faith and
morlas.
Beloved brethren, deceive not your
selves; the world lie not far from you; it is
within you; it possesses your spirit. Bear
with us. We would not overstate things
nor exaggerate the evil of which we wish !
to make you sensible nor would we have
Dur wOrds to apply in all their extent to all
Catholics who give themselves to worldly |
ways of life; but, in the world, "If any
nan love the world, the love of the father
8 not in him. For all that is in the world,
8 the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
yes, and the pride of life" John, ii.
5. The Friendship of this world" st.
ames tells us, sis enmity with God" and
hat "whosoever will be friend of the
World will be an enemy of God" st. JamSs
Y. 4. Aud st. Paul declares that "Christ
ave Himself for our sins that he might
oliver us from this present evil world"
iaI ], 4. 1t is the world that we renOunc-
in our baptism it is the world which is
ne ofthe temptations with the flesh and the
evil towards our eternal loss. 1t is our
reatest enemy.