The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-05

sua1 Passion Cannot. on the Day Follow
ing. Enjoy the Sweets Of Spiritual and
Divine CoDsolatioD-His Flock is In
clined to Stay Out Very Late saturday
Nights Having a Good Time Among
Themselves
Green Bay, Wis, Dec. fright Rev.
s. G. Messmer, bishop Of Green Bay,
has issued an Advent pastoral letter 70
the faithful of his diocese, which was
read in al the churches Sunday. At
ter having spoken Of the holy session of
Advent Just beginning and having call
I'd the peopIe's attention 10 the fact that
n is the duty of the bishop as pastor of
the diocese to warn them against all
abuses that may arise, he continues:
III Is in the exercise of this holy duty,
dearly beloved brethren, that we ur-
gently warn you against a most scam
HaIous and llrachristian custom, widely
Epre9d Hl1roughoUt our diocese we re-
fer to the so-calle1 Saturday night and
Sunday dances. We shall not speak Of
dancing in general although we should
thank God if balls and dances was a
thing unknown TO the children or the
church To our sorrow we ma fhaf,
nsofwfth startling the clear prohibition
bv fn1a baltimore council. some priests
and coror4e-9tiyrls s4ti1 continue 10 hold
balls and dances for church purposes,
and we regret that some Roman Catho-
Fcs do rot see the f-npropriety Of largely
sdv-art4siny their dances IN order 10
make a few dollars for their emDty
tre,9 eur-v. For. whatever may he said
IN favor of tolerating them under GER
tain conditions as a lesser evil. there
rany1ot he the least doubt that DANE
ing. as genera NY carried on IN the pres
erf dav. whether in privat f. or public,
fn hfcH Of low society, fully deserves
The .cond annation and Recommendations
heia.ned upon n at all times by the faith
e-s bieh0ns and theologians Of the
rh717-~n Even men Of the world, men
~ different beliefs outside Of the Ro-
man Catholic church. have raised thefr
voices Painrt the modern craze Of dane
ing AMI IT'S disastrous consequences 10
good morals.
Put nowhere are these consequences
e-reratar or more conspicuous than in the
Saturday night dances as they are ac-
tu9 llv carried on in our midst. We do
not sneak Of tAha prnmiScuOus and IN
restrained interminPling Of sexes; the
excited state Of every sense and nerve
called forth by the nightly hour. the
musical strain the pnvsical exercise,
Inc noise er1 whir'l If a bosterous
crowd a ND often by intoxicating drinks
t''a lonely walks in going home. all in
them selves as many inventiVes ana
dangers Of evil thoughts and desires.
rse'f1ars Of wicked deeds and shameful
sins. Sad experience proves that under
such conditions evil passion in men. es-
~ a
s-rsar-ll 10 st 4 afiaTne: for men are not
angels: they carry the trea sures of di-
Wine gr-aca in weak and fra eile vessels.
But what shall we say when we find
Roman Catholics. mostly young people.
nav. even bows and girls. hardly out of
SCHOOL. epending all Saturday night in
such Dangerous and sinful pleasures;
WREN the hours which our piOus fore
fc-herS spent in prayer and fasting
(fOr ~ 10 cur tame Saturday was a day
Of e'SSt'ranre Ike Friday 70 prepare
themselves for the devout celebration
cr the In-71's div. are now devoted TO
a cortt inucns reve1 and immoderate dis
sfr,7rfon. whfch is carried into the morn
Fr9 hour Of Sunday? No wonder that
Hfaar such nightly carOusals and frOlic
s~rrta hours Deon1e are not inclined TO
VISIT the house Of God on His day. How
could they offer him the incense of a
pure heart and soul or the tears Of a
pure ard sincere sorrow for their offens
&c whom burt few hours before they
bad given IN erneelves wholly body and
soul to warldly and dangerous pleas
urasP 4 41eart filIad and loaded with
earthly and carna7 thoughts. feelings
and desires cannot, after few mo-
mnrts' sleep. rise on the wings Of pious
affection and prayers to the throne of
s,t, 1,ac ,1y- II
all night the poisonous drops of SEN
Fual passion cannot enjoy on the fol-
lowing dav tine sweets n spiritual and
divine consolation. The Saturday night
dances creates a disgust for the Christ
IAN Sunday and renders its devotees un-
fit for a pious and worthy observance of
The Lords day by which they would en-
joy ats heavenly blessings.
Dearly beloved brethren. II the Sat
urlay night dances are shown by ex-
rerienoe TO he a source of untold injury
h good morals and christian piety. the |
Sunday dance is hardly less abomina- |
he. Although The open daylight and |
the air itself Of Christian Sunday may |
afford some protection against the usu-
al danger. vet it's influence of thu moral |
and religious life of man. especially the |
young. Is about equally bad a that of /
all such unholy diversions. while the !
deSecrari0n of the Lords day is far 1
more APPARENT. and the unchristian char
aCter Cf the amusement more shameful |
We Roman Catholics are the nriviles- |
I'd children Of Gods holy church, en- |
ioyirE through her ministry the album |
d lance of the graces and blessings Of the |
eRdCemer. ''Of his fitness We all have |
received" We are happy in the con- |
viNtion Of having in the church an IN |
l..
to grace. from virtue to virtue. AS one |
NJ Gl1e greatest means Of our own sane |
tifc2ition. she holds before us the Lords |
command to sanctffy His day. and tells |
rs IN clear words how Il shall he done. |
Though by THE positive law she binds us
h nothing more on that day than TO as
eiSt at the holy sacrament Of the mass
and 10 abstain from survile work. vet |
t.hei nborn senses az the Christian people
and the eNplicit Bleaching Of its pastors
have always told the faithful that they |
must sanctify the whole day, not only n
few hours Of the forenoon: that from
till evening their minds and
hearts must be devoted principally 10
Thought and feelings. TO work
Of Christian piety and charity.
Knowing so perfectly the nature Of
man ana thu designs OF the Divine law
Elver. the church is quite willing that
when On the Lords day our heart IS
filled With :.he spiritual joys and consul
tations inspired by the contemplation
If Gods goodness and mercy, our body.
with Its peculiar needs and desires.
should also partake Of the welcome !
Sheer and gladGess Of The day. But |
these external joys and amusemenls. |
which may crafty oud sense. must not
Interfere w3th the holiness and the |
Christian character Of Sunday. What
4 shame. therefore, when Roman Oath
olics. children OF the church. WHO is