The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-02

In hisencyclical recently issued Leo
XIII. says:
when conflicts arise between the
calls Of the State aud the rights of the
Church it Is better to obey God than
man. II is only good Christian. who
is also a good citizen. since he religious.
~ respects the principle of authority.
and even when power may dwell with
an unworthy depository he sees in it a
reflex Of God. But the Christian can
not submit himsslf except for righteous
works.
The law Of God comes before the law
Of man. The adversaries of God seek
70 obtain power in order to insure the
triumph of their principles, and in
many countries have attacked C3tholi-
cism. Every Catholic, continues
the Encyclical "should have his apos-
tleshir: but private individuals cannot
set themselves up as doctors, they can
only preach by the example which
they afford. and must, above oil
things, remain in unity. submitting
themselves not only in matters of dog
ma. but also i'm dicipline The pope
has the right of pronouncing with au-
thOrity upon dogma aud morals, aud
upon the means necessary TO attain
salvation. TIE church regulates the
various ideas which prevail under
various governments. Where a delim
itatiOn of rights and duties may be
necessary the Church seconds the State
by respecting Its rights. But the
Church ia not IN subsection to any po-
litical party, and approves all system
of government which respec, religion
and the Christian discipline of morals
Those who would involve the Church
in the quarrels Of parties abuse re-
ligion. All parties should respect and
guarantee religion, and Catholics
should. before all things, be soicitous
TO serve religion well. They should not
extend their fayOrs 10 men hostile TO
the rights of the church, but
in public affairs should support
men of prObi.y, capable Of rem
dering service to the Catholic
cause. HIS holiness insists upon uniO
among Catholics. and declares that in
testine quarrels and dissensions have
given supremacy TO their adversaries.
Catholics should be neither timid nor
rash. The former category show eX-
cessive indulgence and exercise dis
stimulation attended by pernicious eff
fects, while the latter play part which
they are not entitled to assume, desir-
ing TO conduct the affairs of the Church
according to their own will and their
own particular ideas. aud not readily
accepting what may not agree with
their own views. To act thus is to
usurp legitimate authority. Catholics
should submit to the pope and the bish-
ops. an act with prudence, for the p0-
litical prudence of the pope himself
has TO be exercised in regard to civil
acts. The laity should submit with re-
spect to the bishops. and the ideas or
the conduct of a bishop should not be
Judged by them. The nations will only
be strong in so far as they put into prac-
tice these Christian virtues. Fathers of
families should conduct on these Chris
tian precepts the education of their
children, and energetically resist all
unjust violence directed against their
control of such education. The Pope
eulogizes the Catholics Of all nations
who found schools. and concludes by
declaring that the salvation Of society
depends upon practical home training
in Christian virtues.