The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-04-22
LETTER FROM GERMANY.
Archbishop Gibbons Receives Letter from
the Bishops OF Germany Addressed
to the Third PIenary Council.

to the Third Plennry Council
BALTIMORE, April 17.-The following
letterhas been received by Archbishop Glib
bons, addressed to the Fathers Of the Third
Plenary Council from the Bishops of Ger
many:
The Bishops Of Prussia, North Germany, TO
the Most Reverend and Right Reverend
Archblshops and Bishops OF the United
States OF America, health and peace In the
Lord:
: We are recently In receipt. Of the much
priced and touching letter which you, yener
able Brothers in the Plenary Council OF Bal
tlmore assembled, transmitted TO us under
date OF December O. A. ID. 1881, and with glad
and joyous hearts we have read that most
convincing proof OF the earnest fraternal
charity with which you have in spirit beer
with us In the ten years ind more OF trial
and persecution undergone by the Bishops,
priests ana the great body OF the. faithful
In Prussia. Your words OF Apostolic
clergy and faithful, through the columns Of
the press, have afforded us great strength
and comfort and increased our conhdence
In God. To you, consequently, individually
and collectively, we tender the sincere nc.
acknowledgement of our gratitude for such a
bright and striking proof OF your charity
and sympathy, and with hearts glowing with
the sentiments you have aroused we glory
in the Lord who, in this our hour OF trial,
has not only given to al ne ialthiaI OF n OUT
mlnies and trials for His namesake
and that OF His church, but has
moreover by, the power and wonders
of His. grace, amid so many cruel
temptations and sufferlngs. designed TO keep
Bishops, clergy and faithful steadfast In the
unbroken unity of faith and In hrm adj
hesIon and loyal devotion TO the Apostolic
Zee and Chrlsts Vicar on earth. MANY nnd
precious are the fruits unto Justice which,
during the continuance of this persecution,
have been gathered In by the patience OF the
faithful, and their constancy and earnestness
in the public defense OF their faith and the
church's rights and liberties equally as In
the cultivation OF the Christian virtues and
the performance OF good works. Hence, we
cherish the certain hope that the day
us may, with the help OF His grace, be
brought TO happy Issue. But, alas far on,
as yet, appears the end and our delivery
from aflficti0n. The chain Of the May laws
by which the liberties and rights OF the
church are fettered. still binds and gals us,
Seminarles and monasteries are suppressedi
thousands Of parishes remain desolate, bo
reft of pastors; religious orders and congre
cations are expelled and exiledi clerics and
even priests are impressed into military
service; the Archbishop OF Prussia Ian
guish in exile. We stnnd In need, then
OF abundant grace, and, most beloved
brothers, we therefore implore you TO help
usby your mementoes In the daily sacrlhot
A. the altar Meanwn,ie we ,h Sonsrh'Is rSprch ro
joices IN the fullness OF liberty; Finally ws
tender concentrations on the happy result
OF your lahors in the Plcnary Council.
writtol from the place OF his exile IN the
= = ' Archbishop OF Cologne.