Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-10
REFORMATION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

REFRIGERATION IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
When Leo was proclaimed sovereign
pontltf in the year 1913. seven years be-
fore Luther inau2 urated his schism, the
fifth general council of the Lateran was
holding its sessions in Rome. Ia the
ninth session, presided over by the new
pontltt, DEGREES were promulgated for ''the
reformation of the Roman court" "The
priest must net only abstain from doing
evil, but be removed beyond the suspi-
clon OF being able 80 commit it. His life
must shine as a lamp before men that God
may be honored by his works x = *
They only should be raised to scclesissti-
cal dignities who are of ripe years, exen-
plary conduct, and who have gone through
a long course of study x x The
abode of cardinal shall be a. q harbor, q
home of hospitality to mon Of virtue and
learning. He must be ever ready to plead
the cause Of the poor and the orphan"
In the year 1915 the lsgates of Paul III
opened in Trent the great eoamsnical
council Of msdern times, the earliest ses-
sions OF which were occupied in fcrmulat-
ing DEGREES ode reformatione," On refer
nation.
Reformation is by no means 4 strange
word in the Catholic church.
brief allusion to the origin and par-
pose Of the Christian church will reveal TO
US in what sense reformation nay be
needed in the church, and how II has to be
accomplished to be useful and legitimate.
DIVINE 1xroRHaR.
divine reformsr visited the earth
Christ Jesus. His mission was to make
new creatures Of men, although their
minds and hearts to the eternal priaci-
pies Of truth and goodness Of which he
was in his Divine being the Supreme rule
and standard, and in his human malifss-
tation the infallible messenger before u Q
world. He began the work by teaching
'Re vas teaching them as enc having
power" He put before men the prin-
ciples upon which their reform fen WAS
10 be accomplished, and whicA conss-
quently, as the first act On their part, he
required them to accept-"He that
believeth not shall be condemned"
Christ's work was not mere awakening
of the emotional nature, a quiekenlDg of
the religious instincts in mar. Emotion
of itself is vague and indefinite; it is as
likely to run into wrong as into right
channels. II IS force for good, if pro-
perly directed. The principles taught By
Christ gave the required direction; they
pointed out ideals that men should strive
to copy. In addition to the principles
taught, Christ offered his followers grace,
invisible aid, to assist them in lifting
themselves upwards, and then, as he was
compelled to do in reverence to his own
most noble gift in Us, free will, he left to
men through cooperation with his grace
to complete within themselves the work
of reformation. Under the immediate
eyes of the Master, from want of CO. oper-
alton on the part of the subject, no refor-
nation was wrought in Judas; others, apos-
ties and disciples, responded to the call,
and were reformed.
Chr1stS mission as reformer did Eot
close with his visible dwelling upon earth.
AL time was marked out for him by the
Father-"Until the consumation Of ages"
His plan of reformation was, then, also to
be perpetuated, and provision mast have
been made 30 that men could always know
with certainty the principles which Christ
uaO LdUAls, anu ICSSASS buS kI6pS6 W6lCu
ne had promised. 4 knowledge OF Chrisfs
teachings must ever be the primary candi-
ton of all Christian reformation and of
all Christian life. I. il fatal error, and
yet an error which prevails to nc email
extent II Protestantism that the Christian
religion f1ds lis chisf, if not its sole
province, in the emotions. This woald ex-
elu1s from the reign Of religion MANS
most sublime faculty, tina intsllsst, and
wonld reduce religion to blind instinct.
Religious emotion il strong il the BAD
dhist and the Mohammedkn as yell as in
the Christian. But in the Buddhist and
the Nohammedan no we'll informed intel
lecs guides and controls it. Religion FIRST
occupies the intellect in which it deposits
its precious truths, aud thenca radiatss
over the entire man. subjectina all osher
faculties and powers to the ideIls Thioh
the principles of faith exhibit. The sb-
sence Of intellectual faith, certain and VA
wavering, from the Christian is the ab-
sence Of the compass from the mariner
who is tossed hither and thithsr by the
oceans waves without knt wing vheshsr or
zot he is following the courss thai
would lead him to his destination.
ORIGIN AND PURPOSE OF THE oAURCH.
The provision which Christ made thAs
men in all ages might know his teachings
and receive his graces was shs inssiszsio
of His church. It's charter are his words
to the apostles: "As the father ssut me,
so also send you" "All power is given
to me in heaven and in earth. Go,
therefore teach ye all nations, bsptizing
them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son and of
the Holy Ghost, teaching than to observe
all things whatsoever have commanded
to you. He that bslievsth not shAll be
condemned. Aud behold I am With you
all days even unto the contamination Of
the world"
The church is the work Of his onnipo-
tence. "All power is givsnrto ne" She
will reflect in he- own life some..of the S.
tributes of the Mos. high. Her positio.
towards men viii ba Csrist's position be-
fore them. Shc c2- iazes his mission.
GAS the Father X sat me so slso I send
yoa" His truths al.d grsees are entrusted
10 her. Teaching them TO observe all
things, baptizing then." During all sGss
shall she remsiH with her powers and mis-
sion, ''until the contamination Of ages"
For the sake of the sacred trust oonfdsd
to her, He will guard hsr as the eppls Of
His eye. "And behold I am WITH you."