The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-12-01
Morning Star and ',sthOtic 9ssengel.
NEw ORLEANS, SUNDAY, DECEMBER ITS.
eoUL CRUSHING AND SOUL DLIGHTING pEs-
POTIsA.

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eoUL CRUSHING AND SOUL DLIGHTING pEs'
PoTIsA.
Or to make the matter still clearer, and
use aicomparison inadequate, indeed, can
the State Of Delaware, in any true sense
be called despotic because she allows no
man within her borders to violate her laws
with impunty Can the government OF
the United States as now constituted, be
called despotic because it allows no ihsor-
rection against law aud orderf Those
who wish to rebel may rise and go away
whittier they please, but they cannet re-
main within her jurisdiction in rebellion
The charge Of espotiem against the Church
is as thoroughly grataitous as any slander
can be, ahd proves that he who made the
charge knew not of what be spoke.
But let me urge upon the consideration
of the Bishop (for it is not too late for him
to become q Catholic, men as high among
Augiicaps, and as learned rs he, have done
so) that conception of the Church which
places her before us as Divine Corpora
tion, instituted by Jesus Christ, oar
Saviour. In the XVI. St. Matthew, - and ~,
we read promise made by our Lord, as
we'll as q falfllment of one already made.
When Simon, aon Of ona, made the pro-
fession of faith which we Catholics daily
repeat, saying: "Thou art Christ, the Son
Of the living God" (st. Matthew, xvi, l6)
Christ said "And l say to thee: That
thou art Cephas lPetor which 10 in terpreted
o rock Mo longer does He use, as in st
John, i. 42, the future tense "Thou shalt
be called" bat "Thou art rock, and
upon this rock will build (my only one,)
My Church, and the gates of he'll shall not
(sing. numb. thee) the keys (symbols of
opening and shutting) of the Kingdom, etc.
Is there not here promisef l will give
future tepse agaip). Who makes this
promisef Was it not He who made all
things, aud to whom nothing is unknown,
who created light, and is to day as when
He said ''Let there be light .nWas He
able to keep itf Either He was OF He WAS
not.
Nothing but dishonesty or inability can
hinder men from paying their mere note of
hand or promissory note, when it comes
due. Were to promise at q certain time
to pay any one here fixed cum, he would
aesuredly expect the matter to be attended
to, or know why not. II I did not, I should
deservedly be condemned, if able to pay.
This is q promise made by our Lord yet
il. is q promise in q matter unspeakably
more dignifed than any mere earthly thing
Christ has both made the promise and Is
both in heaven and on earth" (St.
Matthew xviii. ls) He possesses this
power. 1t is absolute power. Yet can it
be called, or could it become despotism9
He had said to one of the apostolic college,
"Thou art a rock, aud upon this rock will
build my Church, and the gates Of hell shall
not prevail against it. (St. Matthew xvi.
15.) When did they prevails When did
the gates of hell, the powers of darkness
conquer Surely then, if ever, when His
Church, bought by His most precious
blood, ceased to teach truth aud became a
"soul-cTushing and soul bIightipg despot-
iem." The moment that such q thing could
take place Christ's promise would cease to
be true. His magnificent words would be
mere falsehoOds; and HIS Divinity mecca
sarily cease to be possible
Let ps for n moment consider calmly the
meaning OF this word despotisIn it q G'Fly
-rfshihts-