The sun., 1890-08-26
Future Frobatlon-rhe Catholic vlsv.

To THE EDITOR OF THE sUN-Sri In your
issue Of Aug. az, in tho article entitled =" Fu-
ture Probation" wherein q Catholic lAymRn
purports to explain the Catholic view as to the
chance OF salvation for the heathen. find an
opinion which is wholly contrary to Catholic
doctrine, and never for moment taught
either by the Church or by Catholic theo-
loRians. 1t is eHressed by the writer as fols
lows: 1T is reasonable to believe that con.
sistent with divine justice. heathenB who have
died without opportunity to hear and Goceps
the teaching of the Church will not be pun.
ished eternRlly for an unbelief which. for want
OF light, 1t was wholly out Of their power to
remedy. and in W hich they have not been
Ruiltily obstinate. All such who. according to
their conscience. have kept the natural law.
OF which men in q state OF nature have moro
or less perception. who have sdored q superior
being and acknowledged their dependence
upon him according to the best1light they hadI
such will find their reward after death In an
everlasting abode and state Of beatitudo
adapted to their unreRenerated and not super
naturally elevated natures"
This view Of the Catholic layman. Mr.. Editor
Is not in conformity with Catholic doctrine
Catholic teaching, as the fin al lot OF those wh0
died after reaching the use OF reason. admits
only two statos-the supernatural or beatiho
vision OF God. or the eternal loss OF that
vision and bliss. II admits no middle state.
NJ abode and state OF beatitude adapted to
waited nature. Either heaven as the beatiho
vision and possession of God. or hell. Reflect.
Menre speakinR OF those who died after hay'
Ing reached the age Of reason.
You may ask But what becomes Of those
heathens mentioned by the laymenf ?" l will
! FOUNDED by Perrone and ST. Thomas, " To
| heathens are granted certain graces called In:
dIvidnal. by the aid OF which they are enabled
e. .uh! Nc natutal law and to overcome those
servance. These works, however. are within
the circle OF the natural and moral Elghle9us.
Of such graeo' ereater a aId are given To- them,
! till God, in His inhmite mercy, RrAtnitously
calls them to the supernatural state by giving
OF missionaries or by the ministry OF angels.
| or by some internal inspira;ion. or In some
other way which shall be pleasing to Hin"
This Is fonndea on the he doetrne p5H e. Thomas
II becomes" says the holy doctor. diyine
providence to see that none be deprived Of the
ne, Re- to savaton Without any
np Tin places where he cou d not hear OF the
| Church, and guided by natural reason should
follow good and oi eyiI # is 10 be held d as as
/ all the necessary truths TO be believed by IN
ternal in-plEhtion: "r Will send some ms. lh.
| Nerltaie, quest. IA, art ii, ad. H.
The ,athollc laymAn., therefore. is mistn-
formed as 10 true atholc doctrine. The
tho sTace M.S 80 csSd medcna fw viii re.s
| the grace Of faith also by me merciiul uroyi-
denes f o. Sod: II he accents It he viii eIe, e.
| the g a 3 Of G God will 90 10 heaven. II he ro-
| ject 1t and dies in the wtul rejection Of that
grace grace ~ ne vi viii be condemned e he'll. o ,ot
aud to be solely attlibuta6is to him.sii
Mgr. j. DE CoE mo.
Rector ST. Michael's Church. Jersey CITY.