The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-05-19

them TO knowledge of their Divine Creator
| and to the consideration of themselves; who
| abolishipg slavery, called man to the primi
tive nobility of his nature who planted in
every anglo OF the earth the banner Of re
demption introduced and protected tn.
sciences and arts; founded and token under
her charge institutions of charity, destined to
the alleviation of miseries of every kind
nobed the human race both in domestic cir
cies and in society, and lifting it mp from
foulDess and fifth, with SO much diligence
placed it in conformity with its dignity and the
decree of nature Ga if q comparison were
to be made between the present time at enmi-
ty with religion and the Church OF Christ, and
those happy days when the Church was looked
upon Gs mother, it would be immediately
seen that the present time, oil in disorders and
ruin, PUSHES headlop to the preciplce, and tb at
former times, on the contrary, hourished all
the more for useful institutions, tranquil life,
and riches of every kind, the more obedient
they showed themselves to the goverdment
and laws of the Church. Now, if the quantity
OF good which We have just mentioned derived
from the ministry of the Church, are works
and glories of true civilization, far is il from
the Church to be hostile to it, but rather has
every right to call herself it's mother and mis-
tress.
For a civiliz alton which is found in opposi
tion to the holy teachings and laws of the
Church is not civilization but in name, and full
proofs are given of this in the case OF those
people amongst whom the light of the Gospel
has not shoRet Ia whom we can sometimes ad-
mire an exterior lustre of civilization, but it's
true and inestimable qualities never. No the
barefaced scorn of every legitimate power is
not the perfection Of civilization nor is it lib.
erty, that which, by dishonest and deplcrable
methods, an unbridled diffusion of errors is
allowed to accumulate, by the satisfaction of
ever unlawful desire, the impunity of sin end
crime, and the oppression of the better citizens
Then, these things being falee and absurd they
cannot conduct the human race to perfect state
of prosperity, for sir maketh nations miserable
prov. xiv. 34), but, rather, corrupted 10 their
minds and hearts, they are drawn headlong to
ruin, overthrowing every we'll constituted
order and thus early or late placein danger the
tranquil condition of the public peace.
II, now, You would turn your attention to
the acts of the Roman Pontiffs, what could be
more iniquitous than to deny how much good
the Roman Pontiffs have merited from civil
society," Certainly our predecessors, so as to |
procure the well-beir of all, did not refuse to
undertake struggles OF every kind, sustain the |
greatest fatigues. face the most difficult circum
stancesj and, with eyes fixed on heaven, bent |
not their heads to the threats of the impious, |
nor for degrading bribes and promises betray |
their mission. 1t was this Holy Apostolic See |
ments of falling society she was that most |
benign torch which caused civilization in |
Christian times 80 to resplend she was the |
anchor OF salvation in the most fierce tempests |
which harassed the human race the sacred |
chain of concord which binds distant lands by |
manners foreign in one; and as, finally, of reii.
gion and faith, she was the common centre, so
also Of action and peace. What more 1t is the |
glory OF the Sovereign Pontiffs constantly to |
be opposed as wall and stronghold that hu-
man society fall not again into ancient super
stitions and barbarities.
Oh if this SO salutary authority had never
been despised and rejected The civil power
would certainly never have lost that sacred
and bIlme character which religion had i'm
printed upon it, and which alone renders sub
lection reasonable and noble nor would 60
many seditions and wars have broken ont, to
ill the whole earth with oalamities and havoc,
1or Kingdoms, once most fourishipg would
nj mi cd fPn1 he Tnif ~
heir greatest, to the lowest depths of misery.
And this we gee in tie example of the Oriental
people; having broken the calm bonds by
which they were united to the Apostolic See,
he splendor of their ancient greatness is
'clipsed, and the honor of science and arts has
AIDED away with the dignity of tho empire.
Bene To SO noble, which are derived from the
Holy Apostolic See in every part OF the earth
which documents of every age sttest-have
'eeu especially felt in the italian nation,
which, being the nearer in position of place,
o much the more abundant were the fruits
be gathered. Yea! Italy owes great debt
or her true glory and greatness to the Roman
'ontifs, by which she is raised high above
ther nations. Their authority and paternal
protection has many times shielded her from
he assaults of her enemies, and brought her
elief and help, 30 that the Catholic faith
her children. We shall call to your notice {
mentioning few examples out of msny-the
lines of st. Leo the GreAt, Alexander Ill, In.
ocept III, st. Pius V, Leo I, and many other
'Ontitts, through the deeds and protection of
zhom Italy was delivered from the greatest
uin threatened by the barbAriADs; saved also {
er ancient faith, and, through the darkness
nd mist of universal ruin, sustained and pre- | I
srved alive the Ere of science and the splendor 7
art. And we then call this noble city, seat of
ne Roman Pontiicate, se testimony, which I
as received so singular quality to become,
ot only the impregnable rock of the faith, bat 7
lso the scat of the fine arts, the abode of wis (
om, the wonder and envy Of the whole world. I
u memory of which public and imperishabl {
IN 0aNk eh.e L.
calumnies, SO as 90 deceive the null t
tnde, could they proclaim, by voice and in {
'ritiDg, the Holy Apostolic See to be an OBJ Z
'Acle to che civilization of nations and Of the /
nE k~1y 1 :