The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-06-23

Il -~~c Wc 18sOp - PA@AuAy - - ooo "
expressed, che obligation Of keeping the CON
nspdments, snd also the councils by which q
acqaire perfection. Every Cbristisn is bound
to keep the commandments IL he wishes to b.
saved but there are . few oaosen souls who
like the young mas in the Gospel, desire tG
lead a. perfect . life ~ human means will ad
INIT Of These are they who receive Oar Lord'l
suggestiors, and. parting with oil they have
give, not only money. bat service, devotion
life itself to ''the poor" refsrred to by Him.
These are they who come ut the call of His
sacred voice in order to JsllosO Him In poverty
humiliations, obedience and self.denial; who
leave all earthly Ties, all human comforts, to
spend their lives, rs far as is possible to human
nature, in acquiring that perfect resemblance
to Him in which they are "yet wanting"
Now here 10 the Bible for ourselves and for
our non Catholic friends and We do not think
any impartial mind will admit that the Last
mentioned are it's most faithful and consistent
followers.
1t is time for the world to be aroused from
the stupor into which Luther's revolt once
threw them, 90 they can clearly understand
the mists and darkness through which they
are walking.
The Catholic Church alone is ntitled to the
name of the Church of the Bible, for she alone
adopts its teachings and carries them into
faithful and oonsis .ent practice. She alone
tells all men that in order to ter into life
everlasting they must keep the command
ments; and then, like o true mother, provides
them with -meses to accomplish this "one
thing necessary"
She alone encourages 9 fe " Of her children
to aim at something higher, to be ambitious
not OF merely entering "into life," but of win
ming "treasure in heaven" In 9 word, she
bids them be generous towards their loving
Saviour, in offering Him oil the brightness
beauty, worth and sweetness of their lives in
return for the unmeasured and incalculsble
benefits lavished on them by Him. 1t is true
He does no. exact all this. that He accepts the
less. portion we may choose to give, that If We
serve Him with even half the zeal we serve
the King" He will not leave MS desolate nor
naked to our enemies.
Bat they who ask the same ques ton as the
young man in the Gospel, feel glad and eager
desire to give their Lord whole -heart's ser.
vice, an unconditional obedience, o full and
perfect abnegation Of everything that could
keep them back when He b, said "Come, fol-
low Me-"
TIE life of the Commandments, 10 the onlv
'ne the generality of us can hope to lead, |
Ind even with the tender encouragement |
IF our Holy Mother, the Church-even with |
'he aid Of her strength-giving sacrameuts, we |
'ften fail to lead it Alright; but let us not dare
10 draw from the evidence of our own weak
,ess, the conclusion that the life of the coun. |
'els is beyond human strength. There are |
athletes in every race, there are heroes in |
svery battle. If are only able to run slowly |
and painfully in the path prescribed, let us ct |
least rejoice that there are few who are |
stronger and more enduring than we. II on /
The field of battle, We are faint hearted and |
let rs grow glad at the thought that |
there are few In arms who are brsver and |
move more willing than we. These shall win the |
prizs, these shall gain the victory, these shaIl /
have treasure in heaven" We, indeed, may
'enter in" at the same gates rs they, we may
wear the ssme robes and be crowned With i'm.
mortal garIanda but they shall have wreatbs
IF laurel, and garmente adorned with stars of
gold, and above the places where they stand
shall be the triumphal arch and the victor's
over Frightening wreath of glory.