National Republican., 1876-02-26
CATHOLICISM.
PASTORAL Letter Of Archbishop Baylsy.

PASTORAL Letter Of Archbishop Bayley.
Archbishop Bsyleys pastoral letter for Lent,
1876 Just issued, touches on the "mixet marriage
and religion in schcoIs'' questions. He refers,
in the beginning TO the seniority Of the archdio.
cese OF Baltimore in this country, and the inspir-
ing memories clinging about 1t to the past SIM
plIcity when people did not so much crowd into
the cities, but pursued quiet rural life, and
thinks that resting too much under these infiu-
ences and ideas has been one of the great dangers
OF the present, when "eyil has become aggres-
sive:' when there is developed "aR excessive love
of money and outward show: want OF modera-
tion and simplicity in everything; haste and
fection and determination: bad manners, bad
customs, bad books, bad newspapers, SO that we
live in a vitiated atmosphere, are surrounded by
moral malaria on every side" The archbishop
says:
EVIL INFLU ESCEs.
at has, consequently, become absolutely neces-
sary for all Of u.s. priests and people, fully to
Ognize this epidemic character Of the evil intiu-
ences of our days, SO as to protect ourselves
against them, and do all that we can to protect
others. The most favorable sign in our regard is
our help, in permitting spirit of injustice and
persecution to be stirred up against US and our
religion. 1t hard to speak against anything
which sayors Of ktndlness and charity, but there
can be no doubt that constant and familiafinter-
cOurse with those who are living in religious
error or have no religion at all, Is calculated to
prOcuce spirit of Indifference and make us in
sensible TO the value Of religious truth. Your
over.charitable people who think all religions
equally good generally end by having no religion
az all. We cannot be Catholics and az the same
time make religion to suit ourselves"
In regard TO the subject of marriage and the
jealous care the Catholic Church has always ex-
ercised over that foundation Of everything in the
Church, the archbishop says:
I'm our days there are large numbers of her
children who disregard these laws as il they did
not exist. There can be no more certain test of
weak and declining faith than the frequency Of
rhaF la tive
they become common, Catholicity must neces-
sarily assume a very diluted character and faith
have little OF energy and robustness about it,
EDUCATION.
TN tho subject Of education, the Archbishop
urges ''OpeD. handed liberality TO provide good
Christian schools for poor children" He says:
Formerly our common schools gave a simple,
plain education, sufficient to nj those who received
Il for the ordinary occupations of Iife and parents
found time to keep them from bad company, teach
them their prayers and see that they attended to
their religious duties. And as they were COM
p4ratively few in number, the priests were able
10 know them personally and watch over their
conduct in life But now, from variety Of causes,
which have no time to dwell upon, our poor
children, who have become very numerous are
generally very badly cared for. Their parents
neglect or are uuhttsd to take proper care of
them. Those Of them who attend the public
schools, Of course, receive religious instruction,
ard are brought very slightly under any whole
some discipline. Our Sunday schools, useful as
they may be in themselves, eau do very little to
supply these deficiencies. All experience shows
US that the only possible method by which we can
hope TO make up for the want Of parental watch
fulress, preserve our children to their religion
and make them good citizens is by providing good
parochial Christian schools To form a Catholic
parish a schOol-hO has become as necessary as
church. Your clergy are making every exer-
tion to gather the poor children Of their flock
under the wing Of the Church, 10 provide schools
and good schools, for them, and every one of us
should cooperate with them, and aid them, from
the widows mite to the rich mans pound.
RELIGIOUS TEACHING.
Religious teaching is as necessary to anything
that deserves the Lame OF education as oxygen is
is to the air we breathe. Without it, 1t may be
seriously doubted whether a good deal of what is
now called education does not do more harm than
good. 1t is ridiculous to speak Of sharpening up
quick intellect with corrupt heart and de-
PRAYED will under il, as II you were necessarily
preparing such person 10 be good citizen and
useful member Of society. To say nothing OF
our political combinations, our penitentaries and
State prisons are full Of these well-educated peo-
pie"
In regsrd to St. Nary's Industrial school,
which the letter commends admirably con-
Quoted, the Archbishop says: Even II the State
and city authorities took a wise interest in our
endeavors TO make these destitute children we'll
behaved and useful members Of society, and were
willing to assist US, would prefer if could only
prevail upon you TO be Of the same opinion, that
we should do it ourselves. 1t is in our power,
and that without any very great sacrifices, to
take care OF all our poor and sick and helpless
people without assistance from any Oae. Some Of
us may think, perhaps, that open persecution has
become impossible in these days OF Iibsrallty and
is one Of the boasted glories of the age, when
there is so much tenderness in the human heart
that they are unwilling to hang even the greatest
criminals. But we have studied the history of
the world and the human heart to little purpose
we allow ourselves TO be deluded by such dreams
as these"
CHURCH AND STATE.
The letter goes on to discuss the destructive
persecution now waged in Germany as suficient
TO dispel any allusion that might be entertained
and says: "w hat would we think in this country,
a Wa ma A hut tha SFoNn -F,-I-,. Ia
Catholic bishops and clergy of ali sources of in
come, and then imposing penalty of severe i'm
fhs Ieast ssiisncs Tns mRI shOnid give Inem
the minor incidents In the present German Iegis-
latIOn against the Church. Our AmericanInews
papers, which, If you were 10 believe their own
account Of themselves, are always boiling over
with indignation at the slightest appearance Of
injustice and iniquity, have yet to write their
first word OF protest against these open violations
OF all the principles upon which our Government
is founded and Of which we claim to be the espe-
cal patrons and projectors over the whole face Of
the earth.
STATE APPROPRIATIONS.
Here we have no endowments for the support
Of religi ion left by the piety OF fOrefaIhers
and are obliged TO depend on contributions for the
support Of churches, schools and institutions Of
charity. Rich endowments, however, tend to
paraly ze the charity Of those who come after them
and excite the rapscity Of spoilers: Most of the
prosecutions Of the Church in cur day have come
from her wealth-not merely bec9use she was
despoiled Of her means OF doing good but as they
WnO lDlure you always nate you, persecution
naturally follows on sporation. There can be no
doubt that II would be q wise policy on the part
of the State 10 assist denOminational charities
The poor and destitute ami sick who become de
pendent on the State fOr support and nursing can
be taken care Of better and at much less cost by
6enSninstional charity. England not only helps
Catholic schools, but she has Catholic chaplains
in her training. ships and prisons.
But there is no need Of discussing the Justice
or injustice, the advantages or Disadvantages of
dlnerent systems; one thing is certain, that the
secularlrrel1gious system is becoming day by day
the iaVorite one In our country. All sectarianism
which, by curious perYersIon of words means
Catholicism-is to be carefully excluded from any
share In the public distribution. We must take
care Of the children and the poer ourselves and
the sooner the work is done the better for them
and for our own souls"