Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-18
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.


ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPATcH.i
NEW YORK, February 1.-THE last serv-
ice in connection with the jubilee OF Pope
Leo XIII. was the reading in most of the
churches Of this diocese today, of letter in
which the Pope expresses his appreciation
Of the homage shown to him the world over.
An Introductory letter from the Archbishop
OF New York was also read, in which the
Archbishop says: "I trust that the faithful
in this diocese will reflect seriously on the
many important lessons contained in the
Holy Fathers letter. Acting on his ad-
vice, let us study the life of our divine Re-
deemer, that we may follow more closely in
his footsteps"
The letter from the Pope is addressed ITO
the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops and
Bishops, and to all the faithful in grace and
communion with the Apostolic See." After
reference to the celebration of the fftieth
anniversary Of his priesthood and to the
gratifying manifestations of joy and good
will and reverence, the letter continues:
THE PoPE'S ADVICE.
In the exercise of our high apostolic Office
bestowed upon us by the goodness of God, we
have many times, as in duty bound, undertaken
the defense of truth, and have suriven to ex-
pound particularly those doctrines which
seemed to be most useful to all, so that, know
ing the truth, everyone by watchfulness and
attention might avoid the pestilential breath
of error. But now we wish to address all
Christians as most loving father to his chill
dren, and in familiar discourse to exhort all to
instituted as to the kind of life
men commonly lead, it is readily seen
that public and private mortals differ from the
precepts of the gospel. Too sadly. alas, do the
words of the apostle st. John apply to our age;
"All that is in the world in the concupiscence
of the flesh and the concupiscence of the eyes
and the pride of life," for in truth most men,
with little care whence they come or whittier
they are tending, place all their thoughts and
care upon the weak and feeting goods of this
life; contrary to nature and good order, they
will become the slave of those things of which
their reason tells them they should be the
masters.
1t is short step from the desire Of luxury to
the striving after the means to obtain it.
Hence arises an unbridled greed for money
which blinds those whom it has led captive,
and in the fulfillment of its passion hurries
them madly along, often without regard for
justice or injustice, and not seldom accom-
panied by a disgraceful contempt for the
poverty of their neighbor. They call self-love
liberty, and think themselves born free like
wild ass colt Snares and temptation to sin
abound; we know that impious or immoral
dramas are exhibited on the stage; that books
and journals are written to jeer at virtue and
ennoble crime; that the very arts, which were
intended to give pleasure and proper recrea-
tion, have been made to minister to impurity.
Nor can we look to the future without fear, for
new seeds of evil are sown, and, as it were,
poured into the heart of the rising generation.
ROUGH ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
As for the public schools, there is no eccle-
siastical authority left in them and in the years
when it is most fitting for tender minds to be
trained carefully in Christian virtue, the pre-
cepts of religion are for the most part unheard.
Men more advanced in age encounter a yet
greater peril from EVIL teaching, which is Of
such kind as to blind the young by misleading
words, instead of filling them with the knowl-
edge of the truth. Many nowadays seek to
learn by the aid Of reason alone, laying divine
faith entirely aside; and, through the removal
of its bright light, they stumble
and fail to discern the truth, teach
ing, for instance. that matter alone
the same origin and like nature; there are
some, indeed who go so far as to doubt the ex-
istence of God, the ruler and maker of the
world, or who err most grievously
f' Of God. % % Hence the 40 very I nature nat H";u and
form of virtue, justice and duty are of neces-
sity altered. Thus it is that, while they hold
up to admiration the supremacy of reason, and
unduly elevate the penetration of the human
intellect, they fall into the just punishment of
pride through ignorance of what is of more I'M
portance.
1t is not our purpose here to consider how far
evil deeds may prosper, nor whether empires.
when fiourishing and managing matters to
their own liking, do nevertheless carry about
with them, as it were shut up in
their bowels. their seed of ruin
thing to be understood. of which history has
innumerable examples-that injustice is al
ways punished, and with greater severity the
longer it is continued. We are greatly con-
soled by the words of the Apostle Paul: 'For
all things are yours; and you are Christ's, and
Christ is Gods"
ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
By the hidden dispensation of divine provi-
dence the course of things is so guided that all
things that happen to man turn out to the
glory of God and for the salvation of those who
are true disciples of Jesus Christ. Of these the
mother and guide, the leader and guardian. is
the church, which, being united in Chr Ist, her
spouse, in intimate and Interchangeable charity.
is also joined to him by common cause of
battle and of victory. Hence we are not and
cannot be anxious on account of the church,
but we greatly fear for the salvation of very
many who proudly despise the church, and by
many kinds OF error rush to ruin. We are con-
cerned for those states which we cannot but
see are turned from God and sleep in the midst
of danger in dull security and insensibility.
Nothing is equal to the church," says St.
John Chrysostom. How many have opposed
the church and have themselves perished?
The church reaches to the heavens; such is the
church's greatness. She conquers when at
tackled; when beset by snares she triumphs;
she struggles and is not overthrown: she fights
and is not conquered" Not only is she not
conquered, but she preserves that corrective
power over nature and that effective strength
of life that springs from God himself, and is
unchanged by time. And. il by this divine
vice and lost in superstition, why should she
not again recover 1t when gone astray?
Let strife and suspicion at length cease, let
all obstacles be removed, give the possession
of all her rights to the church, whose duty it is
to guard and spread abroad the benefits gained
by Jesus Christ; then we shall know by expert
ence where the liCht of the Gnsnel and what