The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-04-15
CHARITY,
(Notre Dame Scholastic }

There is nothing SO earnestly recon
mended, or of which We are so FREQ uenti
reminded, as the necessity of being CHAIR
table. Charity 10 virtue which ever,
one extols, but how few there are VIII
seem to understand in what it consists
by charity, we do not mean aims giving
or Observation-Disclosures which are rsthe
It's effects; it is a certain nobility OF soui
greatness OF mind, or generosity of bear
which prompts US to think, speak, and ac
kinciy towards our neighbors; 10 short, te
DO as we would be done by. We NAV bt
constant in almf- giving, generous, hospi q
Ole, humane al d phiianthropic, ttiii if We
entertain unkind thoughts, or give ut
terance to angry words, We are far from
beng charitable. Plato says that there ia
nothing 30 hateful as selfishness, nothing
| more beautiful than charity. Notice that
the comparison is made between charity
and seltshness, which is a want of dae re-.
gard for others, and what the phiioso pher
| thonght most opposed TO charity.
"Believe every man rogue till he haa
proved himself honest" ia the maxim of
people who wish to be thong ht sharp. aud
who claim to have q great knowlet.pe of
human nature and much experience OF the
world. A more natural and Christian mot
to- would be to believe every Que good and
vlrtuoas, and to excuse and palliate as
much IS possible the faults We zee in
Others. 1t is 50 natural to disregard the
rigorous with all besides ourselves II
anyone commits fault we Immediately
condemn hin as if it were done from pnre
malice, though it may have happened
rather by accident than design. But if the
tault ls our own, how ingenious we are in
nndlng excnses-how jealous in our own
defence! we allow ourselves no peace till
We think our innocence is proven, or that
We have vindicated our honor.
Wonderful indeed ia the depravisy of the
human heart! We demand heroic virtue.
of others,-our judgments arc rigorous
~aen applied to our neighbors, white
we ourselves are full of shortcomings
We are all unchartabe. lie ia seen in |
our impatiepce in bearing with the faults /
ana lmperfections of others IN our want
u affability and condescenslou t, our in
errors; in our nnwillingness to suffer in
or to fnrego some pleasure to
,iease OF obiige a friend, to say nothing of
,ur many hasty words, rash Judgments,
letractions, unfeeling remarks, GOODNESS,
md the many other ways by which we Of
end sgainst the laws of charity. Many
ve'i meaning people deceive themselves by
linking that their friends will not notice
be unkind expressions, keen criticism and
litter sarcasm which they often smske use
4. sit Is hard" as some one remarks,
to resist the temptation of being Wittyn;
ut we should remember how deeply we
lay wound friends feelings by our ILL
med wit.
Itshould be the unerriDg rule of our life &
ever to repeat what We hear to the detri-
lent OF another. 1.-THE heart of Christ
M" as mystic writer beautifully saye,
should be o tomb for the faults of his cue
lies and friends"
There are some people, denominations in :
10 sight Of God and man, whose greatest !
IN in life seems to be to stir up strife and I
~ broadcast the seeds Of discord and ill :
i'll. With this class of persons no ones |
putation is safe, no friendship is secure,
} apology ample. They are ever on the
e!6 Co hear tales, scandals and rumors,
nlcn they rebearse to every one. If one
eaks unkiBdiy of another. though what
said may be very trivial, or in jest, they p,
mot mot rest till they have Informed the Of L
1ded party, without explaining the cir N
instances, OF allowing the offender any
ance of exculpation : fruitful source Of
q feeling, dIssension and enmity. These fo
schief makers are to be found in avery tn
doing all in their power to
'turo the peace and order of society
icy are the devil's agents, beginning on
rth the dark work for which they are
stined in hell.
jharity is the greatest of all virtues ,
thout charity there can be no true HI
lctity, no religion. 1t throws charm an
7r life, 1t ennobles every act and rejoices re-.
sven. :,
n order that this beautiful virtue may Co
q deep root in our hearts, let us always ter
ore judging person, put ourselves 10 an,
place and defend and excuse him with hol
tie zeal we would exercise towards mi,
selves let us be ever kind in thought, Gre
ii and deed, patient in bearing with the I
It's OF others, remembering that we too cas-
. need to be forgiven. This is the pro
den law of love; this Is the perfection of
rity. n