The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-03-05
NEW PUBLICATIONS..

The PTodigal Son. BY Michael Muller, Priess Of
sthe Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemsy.
New York: Catholic Publication Society.
New Orleans: C. D. Elder.
If Father Muller were not q holy priest
whose thoughts are always intent upon tia
glory of God and the salvation of souls. hs
would certainly be one of the most successei
story.writers of our day, the Hans Andersen 4
America.
His works do not read, as the saying ID, liks
books, but seems rather like the familiar con.
versaton, of some pleasant friend who enter
tsins while he instructs, and who pleases while
he purifes tho minds of his bearers.
In the simple, earnest tendencies Of his style
he reminds MS of Father, Fsber, while in his
faint and vivid comparisons he recalls Fath@
seeneri: bnt in originality of expression and
unequiyocstion of meaning, he is only Father
Muller, the earnest missionary who says what
is true because it is true, and for the reason:
that it is good for Us to know the truth.
The Prodigal Son is book for every body-sI
story, if you will, for the million,-for who, TO-
day, is not q poor prodgal wasting. his sab
stance in folly and sin, or painfully wandering
back to his fathers mansions This work viii
arouse the one and encourage the other, andy
Gods grace will cause many souls to find the
paternal shelter and rest in peace upon the
Fathers bosom.
OF all aliegories in the Bible, none 10 morsl
beautiful than this of the Prodigal Son, and ii
the hands of Father Muller its lesson comes
home to every Christian heart.
The opening words of this solemn and yai
most interesting work are these: A Travels
once found himself alone on dreary mocs.s
The ground was covered with snow. The BLEAK
winter wind moaned and blow in ftful gusk
All nature seemed dead around him, AMI
scarcely starlight CLEANED on the drsas
tomb. The poor lonely traveller had lost hh
way. He had been wandering long among tsS
snow drifts. He was benumbed with Geld, drt
pirited and weary. Must he lie down on thih
bleak moor and DIET Must the ice be his ID
and the snow his winding shseti"
| We will not quote more lengthiIy, for szA
tracts cannot show the spirit Of the book b1
one can Judge of the charm of the style k
almost any line taken at random; and yet
book, although Ineligible to child, is replies
with profound thought and varied knowledge
It abounds in historical incidents an
classical illusions. It is full of poetic coz
ceits and philosophical fancies. It 10 beautifl
in thought and eloquent in words. It il VII
ming in it's pathos and terrible in Its example
1t is the voice of father lamenting his son. +
is the conscience of the sinner prompting hil
to "Arise and go to his father
1t is to the soul what Hans Anderson was
the mind. 1t elevates while it teaches,
guides while it points the way, in q word.
beautifes virtue while it degrades vice, and
fills the sinner with horror for the husks Z
sin, while it leads him penitent and yearniE
back to God.
Month of ST. Joseph. Compiled by Father Hsgss
of the Society Of Mary. Philadelphia: +.
Cunningham. New Orleans: C. D. Elder.
This little volume is certainly o most timal
visitor, and upon an examination Of Its psg4
we find it also most scceptible one, for it hi
been prepared with special view to the o
servanoe of Lent. That is to say, the tresas
for each day is short, because during VI
there are frequent occasions of listening to "
word of God aud the corresponding medits
tions are also concise and cannot fail to prov.
profitable to those who, though loving . bug
life, desire to spend few moments every da1
in spiritual exercises.
Every Christian owes the homage of bis s0V
and gratitude to Saint Josephs for man
earth has 10 truer or more powerful friends
; Heaven than he whom Faith now calls by .
title of Patron of the Universal Church.
As head of the hottest family on earth, 70
should be dear to every parents heart, snt
his intercession will undoubtedly help ths1
in their daily trials. Most particularly do
recommend it, then, to fathers of families; b
to all Christians, in every state of life, who .
in need of spiritual or temporal assistance,
repeat the words of Pharaoh to the anCiss
Egyptians: "Go to Joseph" And the won
has vet to learn that this dear Saint has new
failed as father, friend, patron or guide to y
those who called upon his holy name.