The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-16


truth, but dividing themselves into two
sections, instead of UNFOLDING, they oppose
the truth. Certain of those who now rale
the destlnies of nations, moved by jealousy
of the influence which the Church exercises
over the peoples, desire to govern the
Church after their own fashion and pleasure,
and to change it's divine constitution to one
in conformityswith human vicissitudes, and
to render altogether a human institution
that institution which comes from God,
aud is Interchangeable in it's sacred princi-
pies.
There are others animated by ferocious
hate, hate which, urged on by the le-
ly to destroy and annihilate erything,
without leaving trace of Faith remaining,
or of worship, or of Catholic practice. And
although this barbarous enterprise could
not possibly succeed, yet it cannot be de-
MED that most grave and serious are the
evils which both these classes of persons
are bringing on the Spouse of Jesus Christ.
" Standing as we do in front Of these
enemies the duty falls on me, on all minis
ters, on all good men, to redoub!e Our
pray gers, and TO ministers to instruct, to
confute errors, and to raise their voice in
order to make it known that God will un-
doubtedly take vengeance for the wrongs
which His Church continually receives.
l myself in this moment, to- give exam
pie and encouragement, while. renewing
my condemnation of all the sacrilegious
deeds as yet accomplished, direct my word
towards the King who now rules Rome,
and who had once Saints in his august
family and with the affection of father,
and with the zeal inspired by my sacred
character, say to him Majesty, l i'm
plore you, adjure you in the name ofyour
august ancestors, in the name of the Virgin
Mary, whom l will invoke under her title
of Cons0Eatrir, in the name of God himself,
and will say also in that of your own in
terest, do not stretch forth your right hand
to sign yet another decree to the ruin ofthe
Church. AS to the measures now in con-
emplation, whether that concerning the
Penal Code or that concerning the Military
Levy, l say they tend, both of them, TO the
destruction of the clergy, and consequent
~ they tend, if 1t were possible, to the des-
truction of the Catholic Church. All! Ma
iesty, for PHYS sake, for your own good,
for the good of the people, for the good of
society. augment NOT, 1mploTe you, the
debts you have contracted with God by
loading y"ur conscience with fresh martyr.
doms of the Church. And what l say to
you. Sire, l say also to all rulers of nations
on the earth. Stay, arrest your steps, and
advance no further down that incline
which leads to the deepest abyss
"Can it be possiblef 1 remember how
Tertnllian, ST. Justin, ST. Ambrose,
and many other Apologists of the Catholic
faith, showed to sovereigns (wbo were not
Christians and Catholic but pagans and
idolaters) the loyalty of Catholics, and in
their day proved that Catholics we're the
most faithful subjects which sovereigne
could possess. Aud these Apologies often
bad the consolation of seeing persecution
diminished, and a respite given to the axe
and to the torture implements of the exc
cutioners. Alas! am not Tertuiiian, /
am not St. Justin. am but the Vicar
of God, aud albeit unworthy, / warn all
rulers to arrest their course. pray them,
I allure them, supplicate them, not only
for sake of the good of the Church, but
even for their own. But if they refuse to
hear this voice of prayer and supplicatiOn,
let them remember the holy people pre-
figured the Church of Jesus Christ. Let
them remember how that people under the
slavery of Pharaoh every day raised their
weeping cries to heaven, and asked of God
mercy aud pity to deliver them from their
chains. 1t was then that God gave to
Moses the command to go forth and free
his people.
Moses employed entreaties which
we're not heard, and threats which were
not regarded. He then put his hand to the
scourge, and need not here describe the
famous plaques of Egypt, DOR repeat the
consequences which followed. Certain it
is that God heard the cries and waiIings
of his people, Eamor JStiorum Israel Oentt
al me. kENOUs ILL., 81 LOU uS CuOH NOH
tinue to claim the rights of the Church and
her liberty. Let US continue to pray God
to aIlay His wrath, and stay the course of
His holy vengeance and perebaRce, when
least We expect it, we shall see change
produced by His Almighty hand, and we
shall hear a voice proclaimiug for our COM
| fort-The complaints Of the children Of Is
rGet haze come to me.
40 my God pray Thee listen to Thy vi.
car. though he be- the least worthy of all
who ever, during the space of wellnigh
nineteen centuries, filled that office. o my
| God Thou vert the author OF this