The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-02-20
Pastoral LETTER OF THE BISHOP OF
GALVESTON.
SOCIETIES SECRET AND APPROVED.

Rev. G.. M. Dubuis. Bishop OF UaiVesboh,
published in the last pumber of the Catho-
lie, we take the following extract:
Now, beloved brethren, "a yonr friend
and Chief pastor, we advise you To beware
of those associations that pretend to eflpg
about that happy union that should exist
between brothers when they have IN
scribed IN tbeir statutes" Religious topics
are not to be discussed in oar clubs 49,.
Applican's for membership UiU DC
admitted regardless Of their religious tenets.
1t is hereby declared that the Church
has nothing to do ,Oih this our association"
Are such maxims worthy of disciple
of Christ 7 Can societies of this stamp be
blessed by eur Heavenly Fatherf Origin
atrG ia s!n of contempt for Him and His
Church, they will end, sooner or later,
bringing about a contrary resnit to what
they promise. q" A sinful mau wilt trouble
his friends, snd bring in debates in the
minds al them that are in peace" (Eccl.,
xiii, p These words of Scripture are
So II cien1ly explicit and now, beloved
brethren, if one sinful man can cause dis
union among friends, what may we expect
of the many sinful men who will necessar-
lily be received into those associations that
pretend to have nothing to do with Christ
or His Church Yet far greater, beloved
brethren, is the danger OF those Catho>cs
who endeavor to persuade themselves that
they can remain in union with Jesus and His
Church and at the same time join assocla
tons that are known to be secret societies.
The words of our Holy Father annexed TO
this letter, must convince them that they are
laboring under great Huston in being thus
deceived by false appearances. How can
faith associate with iHfdelityf Can virtue
and vice torn compaDionship Reflect
on the words of the Gospel: "Let your
light 30 shine before men, that they, seeing
your good works, may slorify your Father
who is in heaven" "Men loved darkness
rather than light, for their works were
evil every man that doeth evil hateth
light"
Now, tell US if you,a child of light, can,
with lmpunity and safe conscience, take
an oath of secrecy on things the 80 call
ed "My stories" that may be made known
to you in the darkness OF night Can You
attend the Lodge, there sing such words as
" Hail Masonry Divine" etc., or hear lee.
lures on Morality" from 80 called
Past Grand High Prest7"
Now, beloved brethren, let us remind
you of the solemn Recommendations
which the Church has repeatedly pro-
nounced against Catholics who JOIN snch
societies accommodations incurred by
the very act OF your admission into them,
aud from which you cannot be absoived,
but upon true signs Of sincere repentance
aud solemn promise of renouncing all con-
neCblOu Will Sucu SOClOGiSS' 1ou
be Catholic and d member OF secret So
ciety. You may say You arc still Catholic,
but the Church and Heaven protest against
your assertion, for Christ has said {:
!" Whatever you shall bind upon earth,
shall also be bound in Heaven )" and you
must know that the greatest of all niStor-
tunes is to be cut off from the life giving
vine of Christ, and 80 destined to eternal
| perdtion.
| In our experience We have met with an ex-
| ample which is much to the purpose. There
| was man who always spent his evenings
at home, and as a devoted husband end
| loving father, was the joy of his family
Hitherto he had been good Catholic but
now, mark the dIfferenG changes that grad
! naily came over him when ne gave up his
church to become 2 mason. First he aban
| doned the Sacramento, aud shortly after,
almost entirely LETT off going TO church.
| TIE hand of God, however, soGn fell heav-
| lily on him; ne lost q SOD, who, though out
eighteen years old, was already walking Ill
his fathers foot steps. A second sHtIctlon
awaited him his daughter in the bloom OF
youth, fell iii, and in Il few days was on the
bank OF the grave During the twenty
four hours that preceded her death, ste
spoke but one sentence: " Father, promise
me TO return TO the Church of God" He
promised, and that beloved daughter short
ly after expired. Gained by the sweet hose,
OF having gained to God soul 80 dear TO
her. But alas Notwithstanding the ga
credncss of his promise, this poor mau,
after ashort interval, returned To his evil
Weys, leaving to all evident proof of the
difficulties Of regaiuing the grace of God
when once it has been abused.
Beloved brethren, let US turn our atten
ton TO a more pleasing subject and ex
anime the great good produced by Catho-
lie associations. The association. of the
Propagation of Faith holds the first rank j;
by it you affiliate yourself TO the mission
aries of the whole world ; by a communion
of prayers and the pecuniary assistance
you give them, you participate in the noble
work of the salvation of souls. The pray
ers required to be said once o day are {:
The Our Father. Hail Mary, and the invo-
cation, "Saint Francis Xavier, pray Gor u.s."
The aims is one cent week. In return
the missionaries and their converts pray
for you. Now by thus contributing to the
salvation of ethers you will finally secure
your own.
We also recommend to the gentlemen of
our congregations to peTsevere in their