Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1885-07-23
TCoMuUINrcATEp.


l. LEoSARDTowE, MD, July 10, 1886
Messrs. Editors During the past week
the Rev. Father Mcguire, missionary
priest of the Roman Catholic Church. has
been carrying on a mission at the Catholic
church in this town and many of your citi-
zens have doubtless heard him with much
pleasure and profit The writer was per-
mitted the privilege of listening 10 this gifted
man on Monday morning last and the pur-
pose of this communication is to give ex-
preston to some views in regard TO these
missions Of the church, generally, and in
particular to the impression made by the re.
marks of Father Mcguire on the occasion
referred to. Obviously the purpose and de-
sign of these missions in the Catholic church
is, while not dlsregarding the spiritual ben.
eft they viii confer upon those in the fold.
TO attract the attention Of the outside world
and to convert and bring into the church
such Of those who, by the teachings st such
times enunciated, are led to realize the
Exceeding sinhilncss Of sin, " or of those who
while seeking salvation have not as vet been
convinced that 1t can only be uptained,
notify, but through the one true Catholic
and Apostolic church. Ifthese premises are
conceded to be correct, and cannot doubt
but what they will be, how can it be denied
that the best way to accomplish the object
sought is TO present the truths held by the
church in non controversial way and to
make the appeals to those sought to be turned
aside in a manner that will tend to attract
them TO the pup SO in view rather than TO
repeal them.by a denunciation of the belief
held by othersY / do not mean by this that
there should be any compromise Of the doc
trines held by the church TO be essential, for
that is impossible, but may not the afarna-
tive of those doctrines be presented In such. q
way as TO give no occasion for those who
interpret the scriptures differently to create
controversy and by 30 doing 10 weaken the
beneficial effect of the truth when eloquent
" presented and forcibly Illustrated To
make more plain what l mean, permit
me to refer in detail to Rev. Father Ma
CURES remarks on baptism In the lecture
referred to. He promised by stating that
baptism was ABSOLUTELY essential TO saliva
ton, quoting the words Of Christ, Except We
be born OF water and Of the Spirit" &C., and
had he stopped there all would have been
well, for up 10 that ointhe was butenuncia-
ting what his church holds and teaches, but
when be wentfurther and declared that those
who, while manifesting the fruits Of heSpirit
in every respect, and giving that evidence Of
their Christianity laid down by the Apos-
Gle, "By their fruits ye shall know Them"
were not Christians at all, but were pagans,
did he not lay himself open 70 the charge
have set forth in the beginning Of this
communication, viz: that Of repelling rath-
er than attracting those who were undeci-
ded in regard to their spiritual course?
ALI If mankind Is to be led to the Sa-
viour, If "the Kingdoms Of this world are 10
become the kingdoms Of our Lord and Of
his Christ" it viii not be by the presenta-
ton to men, either by Gods ministers or
His church, Of doctrines which, while seem
ingly Offering them way Of escape from
the wrath to come, condemn those who are
near and dear TO them, and without whom
Heaven would moth worth the gaining, but
by the preaching Of Gods boundless love
70 man in the gift Of His only Son, through
whose yicarious sacrifice we may all be for
given Of our sins and made partakers Of His
Heavenly Kingdom upon the sole and sim
pie condition Of belief on His name.
In conclusion, ! would say that the Rev.
Fathers presentation Of the Sacrament Of
Penance was an admirable setting forth Of,
in the opinion Of the writer, one Of the best
methods to attract men to God and Religion
that exists.
G. J. HAMILTON.