The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1879-01-26

uuUy C6uuOG lawfully O0 PUbbpUuCu AOA
| others are neglected since, by reason of
| the perverted teaching and audacious
counsels of per6dious men who have thrown
off all restraint of law, religious, political,
| and social order is seen to be threatened
with such grave destruction, that We should
hold Ourselves to be neglecting the duty
of Our Apostolic Ministry, if We did not
provide for human society, 10 this most
dangerous crisis of it's existence, the Ell ca
ci0us remedies which the Church has to
offer. From this purpose, therefore, of
saving all, and particularly your nation,
Venerable Brother, no obstacles, from
whatever quarter they may be interposed, I,
will turn Us aside. For Oar heart will
never be able to rest, as long as, to the
great loss of souls, We see the Pastors of
the Church condemned or exiled, the Min
istry of the priesthood fettered in every
way, the Religious Comm munities and pious
Congregations overthrown and scattered,
and the education of youth, not even th at
Of the clergy being excepted. withdrawn
from the authority and watchful care of the
Bishops. And that this work of salvation
undertaken by Us may be more perfectly
and speedily accomplished We call upon
you, Venerable Brother, and the other
llustrious Bishops of thoee your countries
to strive together with Us, with united de-
sires and efforts, doing your best that the
faithful committed to your charge may
show themselves more and more docle to
the teachings of the Church, and may every
day more exactly observe the prescrip-
tions of the Divine law, Sd that "tte COM
munication of their faith may b9 more
manifest in the acknowledg ment of every
good work, which ia in them in Christ
Jesus" (Philem. 6 Thence it will result
that by their moderation and obedience to
the laws mot repugnahst to the faith and
duty of a Catholic) they will chow them
selves worthy to receive the blessings of
and 1npr f0 70 frDifa
Bat You are perfectly aware, Venerable
Brother, that Oar endeavore in SO grave
matter will be altogether vain, unless We
have the blessing aud help of God /; for
"upless He bald the house they have
labored in vain who build it," (Ps. cxxvi)
Him fervent applications and prayers,
and earnestly beseech Him to enlighten
His Vicar on earth aud the Bishops with
heavenly light and implore Him, since
the hearts of Kings are in His hand, Him
self to incline to more gentle counsels the
illustrious aud powerful Emperor of the
Germ ans, and the distinguished personages
who are his advisers.
Lastly, since the prayer of many in one
accord offers kind of violence to the Di
vine goodness, We desire that the Bishops
of Germany should by common exhorta-
ton excite the aocks over whom they pre-
side to pray in united supplications that
the Divine help may be present and pro
pitious to Our efforts.
In the meanwhile, as an augnry of
heavenly gifts and as pledge of Oar love,
We impart to you, Venerable Brother,
and also to the other Bishops of Germany,
and to the faithful entrusted to your and
their vigilance, with the deepest affection
of heart in the Lord, the Apostolic Bene-
dicton.
Given at Rome at st. Peters the 24th
day of Decent bef, 1878 In the frat year
of Our Pontiicate. LEO PIP. XIII.