Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-26

the successful carrying on OF sucn
schools, even after repeated warnines |
from his ecclesiastical superiors, ne Is
to be Judged worthy OF removal ,'om
such position. II, however, the Decay
or difficulty in having parish school,
should arise on the part OF the ps'isn'
then the bishop must admonisn 'no
flock Of their bounden duty ana 'Ase
vigorous measures to induce them 20
contribute the necessary MEANS All
Catholic parents are bound to SEND
their children to these paroch'ai scnovis
unless they send them to other Catnoiic
academies or are lawfully exempted oy
those who have charge Of these AFFAIRS
Priests are to regard these schools as
the great ornament Of their parishes, ana
70 show their interest by frequently
visiting them and by giving personally
The instructions in Church doctrine ana
sacred history, or appointing those 70
this Office whom they know are iuiiy
competent to discharge we'll the duties
connected with it. Instructions are also
given for the laity who have means 10
contribute as literally as possible SO as
ultimately to found free schools through.
out the country. The eight millions OF
colored people in the country are the
subject Of vigorous plea for help from
all those who would place this impor-
tant element Of the future in its proper
place to act for the veal Of this repub-
lie. ,,
The Indian tribes have also found
eloquent defenders among the bishops
and arrangements have been made for
a special yearly collection to be taken
up in all churches throughout the
country to help in promoting Catholicity
among both the colored people and the
| Indian tribes.
ON SECRET SOCIETIES.
Special consideration is devoted to
the action and work OF the laity and
their combination in associations for
the better realization of their work;
but all must be mindful Of the fact that
the laity are members Of the Body OF
Christ. and that their legitimate action
and work as Christians must be in en-
tire uniformity with their lawful Head
OF the evils which affect these So
cieties the most bsneful is that which
would persuade members to shun the
light and do their wretched work in
the hidden secrecy Of individual souls.
All secret societies, therefore, which
are secret, as the Church understands
this term, such as Masonic lodges and
other similar confraternities, are not to
be Joined by Catholics. But not only
are such secret societies to be stunned,
but all are requested to cooperate as
earnestly as possible in the noble work
of those societies which are acting in all
things according to the spirit of the
Church.
| pIC-NICs, EXCURSIONS, AND FEsrI-
| VALS.
The DEGREES about the collecting OF
money for pious purposes will doubtless
surprise most people, for the decisions
are explicitly condemnatory OF many
methods now in vogue. The Council
directs the pastors to have in every
church a free space, and admonishes
them from humiliating people in public
if they do not exactly keep within the
limits Of that space. The Council also
ordered that no clergyman shall ever
prosecute a layman for money due to
the church, even for pew-rent, unless
he has asked leave from the Bishop
Another thing done by the Council Is
the prohibition Of pic-nics and eXcur-
sions by night, on Sunday, or on other
feast-days or fasting days. This way
of making money for church purposes
will be hereafter forbidden, and only
allowed by the bishop, with necessary
prudence and reserve. The sale OF IN
toxicating liquors will not be allowed
in any case. Fairs, also, are not to b'
held hereafter without special permit
from the bishop, and not on Sundays
and no intoxicating liquors can be sole
at them. Suppers and dinners, socia
parties and balls given at night TO
raising money are prohibited.
Such is brief synopsis of the decree
contained in this volume, and we can
not but admire the liberal tone and tn
desire for a thorough Christian commu
, nity visible on every page of these cele
, brated enactments Of the bishops Q
the Third plenary Council of Bait
more.