The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-24

nosi,jon NJ each. The faithful do this
by religiously dlscharging the duties OF
their state OF life, by the uprlShtness
Of their conduct. by their works OF
Christian charity and by earnest anu
continuous prayer to God. On the 9TH
or hand those who belong to the clergy
should do this by an enlightened 1uihli.
ment OF their preaching ministry ny
the pomp and spiendor OF ceremonies.
especially by setting forth that SOUND
form OF doctrine which saint Fnui III .
culcated upon Titus and Timothy. but
II among the different ways OF preacn-
ing the word OF God that one sometimes
seems to be preferred which is dlrecleo
tn non. Catholics, not in churches, but
in come suitable place. in such wise
that controversy Is not sought, put
friendly conference. such method Is
certainly without fault. But let those
who undertake such ministry be set
apart By the authority OF the bishop
and let them be men whose science ana
virtue has been previously ascertalned.
For we think that there are many III
your country who are separated from
Catholic truth more by Ignorance than
by III will. who might perchance more
easily be drawn to one fold OF christ II
this truth be set forth TO them In a
friendly and familiar way.
From the foregoing 1t Is manifest, be-
loved son, that we are not able TO give
approval to those views which. In their
collective sense are called by some
"Amerlcanlsm." But II by this name
are to be understood certain endow-
ments of mind which belong to the
American people, just as other charac-
terlstlcs belong to various other ma
lions. and II, moreover. by 1t Is desig-
mated your political condition and the
laws and customs by which you are
governed there Is no reason to take en-
ception to the name. But II this is 10
be SO understood that the, doctrines
which have been adverted to above are
not only indicated. but exalted, there
can be no manner of doubt that our
venerable brethren. the bishops Of
America. would be the first to repudiate
and condemn 1t as being most injurious
to themselves and to thelr country. For
1t would give rise TO the suspicion that
there are among you some who con-
ceive and would have the church In
America to be different from what 1t Is
in the rest of the world.
But the true church Is one as by unity
OF doctrine. so by unity OF government.
and she. is catholic also. Since God
has placed the centre and foundation OF
unity IN the Cnalr OF blessed refer, Sfle
Is rightly called the Roman church. for
where Peter Is, there Is the church.
Wherefore. II anybody wishes to be con-
sidered q real Catholic. he ought to be
able to say from his heart the self same
words which Jerome addressed to Pope
Damascus: ~. acknowledging no other
leader than Christ. am bound In fell
lowship with your holiness, that Is. with
the chair OF Peter. know that the
church was built Upon him as its rock.
and that whatsoever gathere:h not with
you. scattereth."
We have thought it fitting. beloved
son, in view Of your high Office. that
this letter should be addressed specially
to you. 1t will also be our care TO see
that copies are sent to the bishops of
the United States. testifying again that
love by which we embrace your whole
country, q country which in past times
has done so much for the cause OF re-
ligion, and which will by the divine as
sistance continue to do still greater
things. To you. and to all the faithful
of America, we grant most lovingly. as
q pledge Of divine assistance, our apos-
tolic benediction.
Given at Rome. from Saint Peters.
the 22nd day OF January, 1899. and the
thirty-first Of our pontificate.
LEO XIII.