The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-02-24

ksovereignty wac another manifestation of
.the vitality of that grand old Church
whose enemies believed was then totterinR
Ito it's downfall after an upceasing aud
most violent persecution of half = century's
Sduration.
Ten years later was Issued the "Syllabus
of Errors" in which the Vicegerent Of
HChrist in unmistakable terms deuounced
Pantheon, Naturalism, tionalism. So
cialism, Communism, and the various
modern errors undertaking. religion and
Ecivil society.
This was made the occasion Of renewed
onslaugats upon the Church by the Italian
IGoverpment, and has been wilfully mis-
understood and most shamefully misrepre-
sented by men of education who pretend
to some knowledge of true progress and
true civilization.
Il We nov come to the assembling of the
Vatican Council, and which, though not
called for the purpose, as many suppose,
solemnly declared that "Peter spoke by
the mouth of Plus :" that the Head of the
Church, inspired by the Almighty, in ex-
pounding its doctrines, could not err. The
3definition of Papal Infallibility was bnt an
assertion of the exclusive right of the
Church to interpret the Word of God, and
an absolute denial of the right of private
Interpretation.
Hlis"ed by Governments in the administra-
E. 'on of earthly Fairs. Is the individual
s"p'uion of each subject to be allowed in
athe Interpretation of the statutes of HE
Hcountry, or is not the will of the law
maker to be defined in those tribunals
wherein is lodged that exclusive anthorityf
If, then, private or individual interpre-
tation be inadmissble in mere human
affairs, relating. as they do, to matters sus-
Aceptible of demonstration to our physical
senses, how much less allowable is the doc
trine when applied to matters spiritual
and immaterial. The suitor trusts not to
5 his own idea of the law when about to
assert q right or repel o wrong, but seeks
the advice of one learned in the law. The
ailing patient turns to him whose sole
study has been the cause and cure of hu-
man ills. Is it less reasonable, then, that
upon matters relating to Eternity, and
upon which one's everlasting happiness or
misery depends. we should accept the word
and advice of One charged with the duty
of knowing and explaining the truths Of
aChristianityf
The proclamation of this Dogma was but
the erection of q bulwark around the
Church against which the heresies of mod
3ern philosophers might beat in vain. 1t
was the girding of the loins of the Church,
about to enter on q mighty conflict. 1t has
arrayed her loyal legions in serried col
umns to await the shock Of lnfidelity's ad-
3v8ncing hosts.
Let me now direct your attention to one
other act in the life of our illustrious Pope.
Ito my mind the most perfect exhibition of
Z his sublmity of soul, something akin to
Sthe scene enacted on Calvary more than
geighteen centuries ago. AS our Saviour
aers, "Father forgive them, for they know
not what they do,' so he who has borne the
SCross for over thirty years, pardons him
who never failed to make that Cross more
heavy, and pleads, "Father, forgive him,
flor he knew not what he did" Was it
A,,s. 1
should see the eyes Of his ancient foe, Vic
tor Emmanuel, closed in death ere his own
4pure soul should wing its flight to Heavenf
The venerable Prisoner of the Vatican is
Il at last released, and as lie answers the
summons of the Redeemnr, his parting
words are for his beloved Trust, t,-"Guard
the Church loved 80 we'll and sacredly."
Oh! Israel, thou dread angel of sor-
row, why thus rob us of our treasure
Why cause us SO many sighs and tesrsf
Why hast thou stricken in thy baneful pas
sage, Him whose soul Yves as pure as his
mind was enlightened; Him whom count
less peoples and mighty poteutates sought
to honor and revere, and who, now, in 81
lence, weep and mourn his lossf Why
wrest from US this greatest of Popes since
the days of st. Peter, this noblest Of
princes, this holest of Christians, this
bravest of heroes. this simplest of menf
But he has left with us the sweet fra
GRANGE of his virtues, end all Christendom
is sensible of their odor. Here to day has
been offered the adorable Sacrifice for the
eternal repose eff Him who devoted his life
to the welfare of the Church and indeed Of
all men. Behold here, now, this funeral
pomp, read these sad characters which tell
the noble deeds of our Holy Father, and In
Funion with his bereaved fold, the Church.
let us devoutly pray, "Grant him eternaa
rest, 0. Lord, and let perpetual light shine
upon him."
IN AEMORIAM.