The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-02-21

/ of the Church also-to those things which
concern in a special manner the faith and
morals OF her children, so mich imported in
these latter days by the wide spread Of
heresy and inlidelity, or what may be more
appropriately called atheism anu rational
! ism. Who has not heard of the Encyclical
and Syllabus OF 1864, which caused so much
commotion in Europe and other countries,
among the so-called philosophers and scen-
fists OF our day. A death blow on that oc-
casion was, rs it were, dealt to all the crro-
neous propositions, and the rash assertions
till then existing against the teaching Of
God and of his Church. This Pins IN.
knew full well would arouse the passions of
men against him, but being the ever fearless
| champion OF truth, he. like the Apostles of
old. preferred to obey the voice Of Goo.
rather than pamper the vices and follies of
men. How often, too, did he raise his voice
to declare those eternal principles of truth
aud justice, which concern not only the
/ spiritual, but also the temporal good of in
dividuals. Among these stand first the de-
| fnition of the immaculate Conception of
/ the Blessed Virgin Mary, which took place
December Sth. 1854, in the presence OF 300
Bishops, who assembled from all parts OF the
civilized world,t to represent the feelings and
belief Of their people in regard to. this APP
parent new title OF the Mother of God, but
which in reality is as old as the Church her.
self, having been always, from time imme-
mortal, believed and practiced by the fervent
and devoted children OF Mary. We all re-
member how the solemn definition Of this
dogma was hailed by the Catholic world.
Never since the HISTORIAN heresy was
condemned in the Council Of Epheslis in
1872, was there such reioicngs in Christen-
dom. as when the news of this definition
was made known from the balcony of st.
Peters. Public and private acts OF thanks
giving were everywhere made to GOO, and
Plus IN, by whose zeal and persevcrng ac-
tivity, the question was begun and brought
to an issue, was declared by no less than
$50 millions of souls the Champion by cx-
cellence Of the immaculate Conception.
Bit the last and greatest act OF his Pontl-
ticate, yet remained; the one which deserv-
ed and conferred on him the title OF Great
but which his humility rejected and refused
to accept. This was the thought of convok-
ing a General Council to examine and dis
cuss some of the most important questions
of the day. On the llth day OF June, 1868,
the bull Induction commencing with the
words 'sAterni Pat7is,'' went forth from the
Vatican to the Bishops, Archbjshops, and
Prinates of the world and on December
Sth, 1869, all were assembled to the number
u
the Pope, in person, opened the first SEES
sion of the Council with Mis- solemn blessing.
Never did the eternal city witness a more
august assembly within its Whatsoever was
Roman splendor and Christian unity and
harmony more displayed than on that occa-
sion. All the nations OF Europe had their
representatives arrayed in regal grandeur
and magniticence. China, Japan, India,
the countries Of Australia and Africa, sent
their delegates to the Council. Canada,
South America, Mexico, and the United
States, sent their doctors and theologians.
Priest and Bishops to represent them. All
the nations OF the earth seemed to vie with
one another in their outpouring OF talent
and genius. Never was there a more en-
lghtened, august and numerous assembly
seated within the walls of any city, than
that which was present to define the dogma
OF Papal Infalhblity, which was defined and
given to the world as an article OF Catholic
faith by Plus IN.
But I find haye already trespassed too
much on your patience and attention.
have said more than l really first intended.
The subject is tco great, too comprehensive,
for one discourse. We must leave to histo.
rians Of the future, the duty of recounting
the glories Of the reign Of Plus IN. On us.
however. who call ourselves his children.
two important obligations revolve, land which
we trust will not remain unheeded. The
one is to pray for the eternal repose OF his
soul the other to pray that God may so
guide the deliberations OF the Princes of the
Church now in conclave, that they may place
upon the vacant chair Of St. Peter, a Pope
blessed with the same strength and sweet
ness OF character and intellect, and filled
with the same virtues as those which will
forever reader immortal the name OF Pins
TX