The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-02-10
Plus TX.

name OF this century, that OF Plus /.
Generally speaking men judge. and Ct
only judge, of actions and principles
their fruits, and certain kinds Of fruit q
slow to ripen. But beyond doubt the spir
of our great Pontiff has been the mast
spirit of the age. That age has beer tru
Tone of tempest and angry gloom, but acro'
the heaving waters of it's stormiest days
calm, sweet light has always shone-th
steady light of Pho Nonos faith and charity
The world might not despair whilst it coul
look to it's spiritual Capital and sec tn
cheering smile of the great captain who's
very meekness was resplendent with tn
halo of assured victory.
The life of Giovanni Mastai Feretti ha
been great epic romance, but where is th'
Homer or the Dante to breathe it into i'm
s mortal verse. His was the grand typica
= human heart; its strength went forth anG
zembraced all men they were all like him
they must be like him they must yield te
the yoke of his confidence and love. Alas
The greater his hope, 30 much the more
bitter his disappointment. Well and long
did he have to ponder over that NJ ysterious
agony of still stronger love which broke
forth in the iamentation Jerusalem, Jeru-
salem, thou that killest the prophets and
stonest them that are sent unto thee,
how often would 1 have gathered together
THY children, as hen gathereth her
brood under her wings, and thou wouldst
mot
But Plus, Pope, rose superior to the
tragic element of his life drama. His
great grief threw no shadow over the
sweetness of his patience, his bitter disap
|pointment brought no clouds of despair
over the glowing sunshine of his perfect
submission. Girding his loins he stood
erect, a model of absolute conformity to|
Code will, glorious embodiment of!
Christian perfection, luminous, visible
|exemplar of the virtues which Christ
taught men to practice.
The Kings of the earth took counsel
against him and conspired together. The
patrimony which the Church had commit
ted to his charge was stripped from him
because he would not listen to their de /
sires. He whose dag had waved over al
gallant army, whose Court had beenS
thronged with the ambassadors of every
nation, whose munificence had endowed {
science and realized the most generousJ
dreams of charity-he exchanged his king
dom for prison, and died q captive while
reigning in undisputed sway over the hearts
and consoiences Of two hundred millions of
men.
But the curtain has fallen at last, the
final scene has been enacted, the drama isS
over. History must make up its verdict
upon facts as they are, for the record iesH
closed. What will that verdict bel Fail
lref Yes, failure like that of Calvary.
The victory of the world physically
chains, stripes, death for the vanquished
But 10 ! while the world yet laughs and
'ejoices over it's triumph, that same spirit
'f Plus, Pope, Ia living, is battling as OF *
Yore, is conquering.
Never before has the Church of God been :
70 powerful "a now or more vital. Her
banners invade every land and float on
every wind. Her hierarchy have divideGS
America and Australia into Episcopal sees;
her missionaries penetrate the recesses of
Asia and steadily encroach upon the idol
Atry of Africa. In Europe abe is fast re-
the territory ravaged by heresy
and rebuilding her spiritual fortresses op f
he ruins- of g mouldering Protestan tism.
Has the spirit of Plus TX. been laggard
during all these yearsf Have his laborsS
and sutterings been barren Have his
victories been unimportant?
Plus TX. is dead. God grant that the
'onsciences of his persecutors may ct last
awaken and smite them with bitter con-
triton for their wrong doing. AS for him
the voice of the Catholic world has already
proclaimed him a model of every virtue
Saint. Miracles may not attest the I
'anctity of hls relics, but "a long as time
endures good men will seek to initiate his
nnconquerable constancy and his unfailing
charity.
Religious Liberty.