The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-12-23
NUMBER As,

repair his fault, it was not In his power en-
trely to repair 1t. The offence against God
was of such nature, that it required an
atopement for whinh man himself was utterly
insufficient. The Father was not unmindtal
of mercy, and at the moment Of inhictine
the punishment, He promised of His good
neso. the oopious redemption which We have
rsceived through the sufferings and death OF
Jesus Christ. Here then is the principle that
underlies total abstinence societies.
We could write many emphatic things Of the
pecupiary, social and civil ad vautegea OF Total
Abstinenoe-of peace and comfort restored to
familes-A consideration that must come home
to every mans better nature aud fner feelings.
children Of tho Church Of q CspissnfoiIoWars rs
brothers Of the mau.God, who has come to
teach MS the nature Of the strange war going
on within us, and to show us that the solu-
tion of the problem consists in dsnying aud
restraining the bRser part after His example
and for His sake, in order to bring Onr nobler
and immortal part into perfect communion
with Him. We do not say that oar Saviour
commanded the precise Practice, promised In
the formula of the Total Abstinence pledge,
but We do say that He has taught aud most
strenuously counselled the principle that under
lies 1.-THE principle of abstinence aud self
denisl-the denying ourselves the Rratif cation
of our passions, in order to draw nearer the
Divine model. When the Catholic Church
teaches us % She does every day, to deny our
selves, She but acts upon the principle taught
by Christ whom He said, "If any man will be
my disciple let him take up bis cross, deny
" 1t is but mockery for you to say you are my
disciples, IL you refuse to take up the oross and
deny yourselves"
The principle of total abstinence appeals to
Catholics with special force, ssnctfed ne it is
by the teaching aud example Of Almighty
God. If 1t be good thing to deny ourselves
for the love Of virtue and religion, and IL it
be especially good thing to practice that
kind Of selfdenial which helps us 10 subdue
our animal nature and make IL more prompt 10
obedience to the behests of our spiritual
nature then it must DO n good, virtuous, and
rsliGious thing that 10 promised in the pledge
of tue Catholic Total Abstinence Union, e.,
the practice Of total abetinenee from all in
toIicating drinks, If it be o good thing to
pioas thing for the Church 90 require 70
fast, are assert that for the very same reasons,
bearing with special force, and for other most
mighty reasons that are peculiar to this p &C.
selves by abstaining from all Intoxicating
drinks. There is another reason which 10
the Oorsscratiou Of Charity-the law Of
Christian edi6catiop. We are all together,
buIders Of the mighty temple of the living
God. We are one and ALL each with esob,
members of the mystical body OF Jesus Chriet.
We each must help the other,-our brother
workers, as ourselves by them are helped.
On this principle to deny ourselves that which
is not an evil 10 oneself, for the sake of giving
an example to others to deny then solves the
same thing which has become an evil to
them, Is q charity thrilling with Divine
energy and o personal religion which stands
guard at the gates cf the cOunsels Of Christ.
The Benediction which comes f;om the heart
Of Christ and the hands If HIS Vicar, con-
socrates with most solemn eanction all tho
reasons which We have given and all the re0-
sons which we hold in reserve in our advocacy
Cf total abstinence. The words 'f the Pope
bft our humble appeal into lefty Argument,
and the evils Ct intox icRtion exalt the argu-
ment into a moral necessity for the many and
glorious charity fjr all. We therefore
cordially invite the Catholics throughout che
diocese TO unite with fjna new societies
uuder the patronage Of their respective pastors
/ II their tffJrts to coItcont and conquer the
evil + intemperancs.
Ed. KIRwAS, Woe Pre- sident,
JouN II. Fox, Secretary,
p. J. MooSEY,
7. SANGCINETTT,
Committee
\, t.t- ne,,L.. 1nh 1877