The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-05

Az tho O'Clock service yesterday MORN
ing the Rev. Father Edelin, oficiated at
mass, after which Father Splinter preached
a beautiful sermon on the text: blessed
is lac that shall not be scandalized in me"
Jesus Christ and his holy life was the
source Of scandal TO the Jews. He who
gave life to the dead, hearing TO the deaf,
sight to the blind and strength to the
weak-how could He be just subject OF
scandal? II was scandal taken, not given.
In looking over the world we think moth
ing Of giving scandal; it is 80 common and
people think that they will not be respon-
sble before the throne OF God for II.
What is scandal2
Christian theology tells us that il is a
spiritual all OF some one who witnesses
IT, 81. Thomas says IL Is saying or doing
anything that will cause another to have
impure thought, or the very appearance
OF evil that may or could cause the spirit
ual ruin OF some one. God created the
angels and yet one Of the number fell and
so scandalized the heavenly host that
two-thirds OF them fell with him and were
dragged along with him TO perdtion. Our
first parents were placed in home whore
everything was made to promote happi-
ness hut happiness was but flower that
bloomed but TO be blighted, for the serpent
came, sowed the seeds OF scandal and Eve
fell, and she with Adam was banished
from the Garden. SO II went on until
God saw III 10 wipe the people from of
the face OF the earth 30 wicked had they
become, and saved but one, who was like
unto God himself, and yet the Ark had
but settled on Arrarat ere scandal was
seen in that holy mans family and Ham
was banished. Yea, even in the Apostolic
college there was Judas TO give scandal
and Peter 10 deny his Christ. Then, IL
a man after Gods own heart and an Apos-
tic could give scandal, must We not expect
10 see IL around us2
That drunken husband who takes the
last penny TO supply his thirst, does lac not
scandalize his children, rs well as the
mother whose absence from her church
duties, the sacraments, bring IL 10 her lit
tic onos2 We need not wonder God eXer-
cises his judgment over such persons.
How terrible for parents to give scandal.
How many employ servants whose actions
and words pollute the little minds, and
cause 80 much SIM say II without fear
OF contradiction that every one here today
can trace his first sin 10 the example. the
action OF some one. What advantage will
your religion be to you II you help spread
the impure thought Of another and 80 aid
10 down some one2 What mercy shall
expect II /, one OF Gods unworthy priests,
shall teach and preach Christ and Him
cucincd, but do one thing that should
cause another SIM Remember, scandal
does not die with the body, but lives on
after the flesh has become food for worms,
and dust.
Yes, scandal Is common but II Is enor-
nous. Why, Jesus Christ offered up his
body on the cross, but the scandal-mon-
ger takos his precious blood and tramples
Il under his feet, .and with his sacrcligious
hands re-opens the cruel thrust in the
side. BY scandal you cause that soul des.
tined for heaven TO be thrust into tho bot
tomloss pit
DO YOU want a stronger proof We have
Biblical authority OF what Christ said
about scandal. On that grand occasion,
when surrounded by the little children,
one Of whom he held on his knee, another
10y the hand, aud looking upon that gath
ering Of little innoccnts with pleasure he
said. "suner little children 10 come unto
me, and forbid them not, for Of such IL the
| kingdom OF heaven" What a grand sight
| Christ and the little ones. But Ia his
mind he saw the scandalizer aud he ut
| tered this terrible anathema. Woe unto
him by whom scandal oometh. IL wer,
better that he hath milestone tied 10 hi
neck aud were drowned" What horri
BILE picture the scandal-monger presents
COMMUNICATING the very air with his breath
blighting the life Of the pure, the good an,
the innocent. Stop today and on YOU
knees ask God 10 give you grace TO stoI
indulging Ia scandal. Beg the Queen o
the Rosary 20 assist In supplying you will
grace, and God will pour out a fullncs
from Ills storchouso above. Grace Ia
deposit In the bank Of Gods omnipoten
, love which you can draw only by sacri
mental checks Endorsed by prayer. II |
there for You; draw on II at once and TO,
will strengthen you and bless you forever