The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-02-19

all that Catholics hold most sacred IN re-
| lpion. From the manner in which II Is
accustomed to treat every question bear
ing on religion, it would seem to be the
only authoritative exponent Of rehg-
ious truth; and we doubt not Its utter
ances have more weight with certain
class, who bow TO no power but pop
ular opinion, than the views OF the
most learned divines, or the dogmatic
decisions of the uRerring Church OF
Christ. Many OF the leading journals OF
the land are ready TO spouse to the cause
of infdelity, or nsturslism, or BUDDHISM
with quite az much warmth as they
would the cause of Christianity, simply
because articles of that nsture are sensa.
tionsl and attract attention aud patron
age. II men are fest losing faith In
Christianity, and descending to the low
piano OF nsturalism and pagsnlsm from
which the Catholic Church raised their
ancestors, the downward movement mas
received much of its force from the anti
Christian press of our day. The des.
truct,ve il huence of this mighty power
for evil will not fail TO tell sadly even
upon Catholics, who take no means to
countersct it. But they have
potent means in the sound Catholic
literature with which our country
now happily sbounts; and one OF
the chief aims OF our literary societies
should be to encourage the circulation OF
books and newspapers which are
thoroughly Catholic in theis tone. The
best and surest evidence Of their genuine
Catholic character, is their merltlne and
receiving the appreciation OF the ecciesi-
astical authorities and their perfect ac-
cord with the sentiments OF the bishops
and reverend clergy.
Do not be deceived by the mere name
OF Catholic attached TO a paper; do not
be misled by the specious title of nation
atty. A journal may be called CGthoIlc,
or Irish, or German. and may profess to
defend the principles of our holy religion,
whilst the name or the profession is
but decoy to entrap the unwsry
AMI unthiuklng. The national, like
| the religious sentiment, Is very
deep and very powerful; and design
| ing men ara wont TO appeal to 1t TO lcr-
ward their own selfish and unboly pur-
po.es. But 1t matters not by what cap
tious name paper or periodical may De
designated if it uphods rot the author
ity Of tho Church, though pretending to
be Catholic in principIei Ii 1t directs lis
eDycnomed shafts 1T the sacred hierarchy
1T home or abroad; if i: holds up to con-
domination the Bishops "whom the Holy
Ghost has placed to rule the Church. II
It seeks every occasion to censure and IN
suet those whom the faithful must honor
and esteem rs the ministers of Christ,
YOU cannot and dare not in conscience
support it. Such paper, passing as an
exponent of Catholic thought, Is thous-
and times more dangerous in its Influence
than all the pro!essedly snti-CsthoIlc
! journals o. the country.
It's readers are easily recognized. They
are ever tindiDg tauit with their pastors.
Even the Sovereign Pontif3 do not es-
cape their censorlous remarks. Their
only Gospel is Lhei- newspaper, filled
| though it is week after week with bitter
attacks upon all tua, the true Catholic
hos been Justly taught TO hold in highest
regard. From its poisoned pages, they
catch the spirit O. irreverence Tor the
sacred priesthood, and transmit 1t TO
!noir children. A generation hence, their
offspring will rank with the hercest enc
| mics Of the Catholic Church. We know
no language too strong IN which TO con-
denim any vile sheet, which, under the
name of Catholic journal, devoted to
the defence of the Catholic Church, uses
! all It's influence TO weaken in its readers
respect Tor ecclesiastical authority and
reverence for the pastors OF the CHURCH.
lie who in any manner encourages
paper of that stamp, is utterl y unworthy
of receiving the Sacraments OF the
Church. Pastors will take note of this,
and act accordingly.
Other societies, of a charitable or bene.
fetal character, are doing good work
by relieving the distressed, aiding the
sick and helpless, and inducing their
members to perform their religious du-
ties. OF these We especially commend
he Conferences OF st. Vincent OF Paul,
which are laboring with disinterested-
ness and zeal n the grand mission OF
Christian charity; and we earnestly In
vi.e the CO. operation Of all our people IN
their support. But whilst we are
pleased to see, and are always ready 10
bless, those organizations which are
thoroughly Catholic in their principles
and workings, We cannot tolerate any
combinations gotten up in defiance OF
ecclesiastical authority; and we warn all
our Catholic people against every kind
of secret and oath-bOund associations,
whatever be its ostcnslble purpose. The
cause of charity, of right and OF order,
I needs not TO hide its face from the light Of
day and the scrutiny of the ministers OF
religion. The principles OF secret So
cieues have always been denounced by
the Church, though upheld by most OF
the sects. The seed which these societies
have thrown broadcast over the world,
| is now beginning TO bear its legitimate
| fruits. These organizations are the ruling
powers throughout Europe-not en-
| perors or kings, or presidents or parlis-
ments, and they no longer make any
secret of their purpose to supplant
Christianity by natural religion, or to
blot out all religion from the world. The
! French FrcrmssOns have openly denied
their belief in God, others will not be
! long in following their example. The
Church has been villtied for her coudem-
nation of the society as anti Christian in
| its objects. Wss she not right2 A safe
and practical rule for your guidance is to
become a member of no society without
first consulting your pastor, and ootsining
his appreciation.
BALLS AND DANCES.
We should be wanting IN our pastoral
| solicitude for the flock entrusted 10 our
care, did we not svsil ourselves of this
letter TO denounce certain dangerous
amusements, by which numbers OF both
sexes are led into sin. We refer TO public
balls and indecent dances. All the
bishops of the United States, assembled IN
Plenary Council IN the year 1866, issued
q pastoral letter TO their focks, IN which
thew warned them against those fashion,
able dances, which, as at present carried
on, are revolving TO every feeling OF de-
I \ A-aW b