The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-29

possess no Slght weight LOT preserving III tHc
multitude submissive spirit, in the clergy
discipline and due reverence for the Bishops,
and in the Bishops mutual charity and an init
mate union of souls And since this union, so
salutary, consists mainly in harmony OF
thought and action, he will no doubt bring it
to pass that each one of you shall perseVere IN
the diligent administration of the diocesan
affairs; that one shall not impede another in
matters of government; that one shall not pry
into the councils and conduct OF another;
finally, that with disagreements eradicated
and esteem maintained you may all work to-
gether with combined energies to promote the
glory of the American church and the general
welfare.
1t is difficult to estimate the good result
which will follow from this action of the
Bishops. Our own people will receive edlfica-
ton and the force of example will have its
effect on those without, who will be persuaded
by this argument alone that divine apostolate
has descended by inheritance to the ranks OF
the Catholic episcopate.
Another consideration claims our earnest at
tention. All intelligent men are agreed, and
we ourselves have with pleasure intimated it
above, that America seems destined for greater
things Now it is our wish that the Catholic
church should not only share in but help bring
about this prospective greatness. We deem 1t
right and proper that she should, by awaiting
herself of the opportunities daily presented to
her, keep equal step with the republic in the
march of improvement, at the same time by
striving to the utmost by her virtue and her
institutions to aid in the rapid growth of the
state. Now she will obtain both these objects
more easily and abundantly in proportion to
the degree in which the future shall find her
constitution perfected But what is the mean
ing of the legation of which we are speaking or
what is its ultimate aim, except to bring it
about that the constitution of the church shall
be strengthened, her discipline better fortified!
Wherefore, we ardently desire that this truth
should sink day by day more deeply into the
mind of Catholics, namely, that they can in no
better way safeguard their individual interests
and the community than by yielding hearty
submission and obedience to the church.
This closes the reference to the Ameri-
can legation, and the Pope proceeds to
discuss the dissolubility of marriage. The
encyclical then refers to the indissolubility
of marriage and the deadly pest of divorce.
The evils of divorce are forcibly stated and
the Pope declares that divorce is as hostile
to the state as to the family. AS regards
civil affairs, it is urged that justice be cul
tivated and the laws of the gospel incul-
Gated, without which liberty itself may be
pernicious. The value of temperance, the
frequent use of sacraments and the obser-
vance of the just laws and institutions of
the republic are also enjoined.
OF Catholics entering societies of work.
ingmen, the encyclical says:
Now with regard to entering societies, ex-
IRENE care should be taken not to be ensnared
by error. And we wish to be understood as re-
ferring in a special manner to the working
classes, who assuredly have the right to unite
in associations for the promotion of their in
terests; a. right acknowledged by the church
and unopposed by nature. But it is very i'm
portant with whom they are to associate, else
while seeking aims for the improvement of
their condition they may be imperiling far
weightier interests. The most effectual pre-
caution against this peril is to determine with
themselves at no time or in any manner to be
parties to the violation of justice. Any society,
therefore, that is ruled by persons not stead
fast for the right and friendly to religion, is
capable of being extremely prejudicial to the
interests as well of individuals as to the COM
munity, beneficial it cannot be. Let this con-
clusion therefore remain frm-to shun not
only these associations which have been openly
condemned by the judgment of the church, but
also those which in the opinion of intelligent
men, especially of the bishops, are regarded as
suspicious and dangerous.
otherwise, Catholics ought to prefer to asso-
ciate with Catholics, a course which will be
very conducive to the safeguarding of their
faith. AS presidents of the societies thus
formed among themselves it would be well to
appoint either priests or upright laymen Of
weight and character, guided by whose coun-
sci they should endeavor to peacefully adopt
and carry into effect such measures as may
seem most advantageous to their interests,
keeping in view the rules laid bown by
us in our eneyclical, Reium Novarum. Let
them, however, never allow this to escape
their memory: that while it is proper and
desirable to assert and secure the rights of the
many, yet this is not to be done by violation
of duty and that these are very important
dutiea; not to touch what belongs TO another;
allow every one to be free in the management
of his own affairs; nor hinder any one to dis
pose of his services when he pleases and where
he pleases. The scenes of violation and riot
which you witnessed last year in your own
country was sufficient to admonish you that
America, too, is threatened with the audacity
and ferocity of the enemies of public order,
The state of the times, therefore, bids Catholics
to labor for the tranquility of the common
wealth, and for this purpose to obey the laws,
abhor violence and seek no more than equity
or justice permits.