The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-24

was a short one TO a contempt OF the re-
igious life which has in some degree taken
hold of minds. That such value is gen
orally held by the upholders OF new views,
we infer from certain statements con-
corning the vows which religious orders
take. They say vows are alien 20 the
spirit OF our times, in that they limit the
bounds of human liberty; that they are
more suitable to weak than 20 strong
minds; that so far from making for human
perfection and the good of human organi-
"a ton, they are hurtful 10 both but that
this is as false as possible from the prac-
tice and the doctrines OF the church is
clear, since she has always given the very
highest approval 10 the religious method
Of life; not without good cause, Tor those
who under the Divine cali have freely en-
braced that state of life did not content
themselves with the observance OF pre-
cepts. but, going forward TO the evangelical
counsels, showed themselves ready ana
valiant soldiers of Christ. Shall we judge
this 10 be a characteristic OF weak minds,
or shall we say that it is useless or nurtfuI
10 a more perfect state Of life?
..Tbose who bind themselves by the vows
Of religion, far from having SUFFERED losa
OF liberty. enjoy that fuller and freer KIND
that liberty. namely, by which CHRIST ha1h
made US free. And this Iurtner views U
theirs. namely, that the religious NE Is
ei,ber entirely useless or Of little service
m the church, besides being injurious 20
the religiouh orders, cannot be the oplh-
ion Of anyone who has read the annals
Of the church. Did not your country 'he
limited States, derive the beginnings ooth
of faith and Of culture from the ehlldreh
of these religious families? To one OF
whom but very lately. thing greatly 10
vour praise. you have decreed that
statue be publicly erected. And even al
the present time, wherever the religious
families are found, now speedy and YET
how fruitful a harvest of good works co
they not bring forth. How very many
leave home and seek strange lands 10 I'M
part the truth OF the gospel and TO widen
the bonds OF civilization, and this they
do with the greatest cheerfulness amid
manifold dangers. Out Of their number not
less. indeed, than from the rest OF the
clergy. the Christian world finds the
preachers of Gods word, the directors OF
consciences. the teachers of youth and the
church itself the examples of all sanctity-
Nor should any difference of praise be
made setween those who follow the active
state of life from those others who.
charmed with solitude. give themselves 10
prayer and bodily modification. And how
much. indeed, of good report these have
merited, and do merit. is known surely to
all who do not forget that continual prayer
Of the just man avails to placate and to
bring down the blessings of heaven when
to such prayers bodily modification is
added.
But If there be those who prefer 70
form one body without the obligation OF
the vows, let them pursue such a course.
TT is not new in the church nor in any
wise censurable. Let them be careful.
however, not to set forth such state
above that of DELICIOUS orders. But rather.
since mankind are more disposed at the
present time 70 indulge themselves in
pleasures, let those be held IN greater es-
TEEN who having left all things, have fol-
lowed Christ
Finally. not to delay too long. It IS
stated that the way and method hitherto
in use among Catholics for bringing back
those who have fallen away from the
church should be left aside and another
one chosen. in which matter IL will suffice
to note that it Is not the part Of prudence
to neglect that which antiquity In its long
experience has approved and which is also
taught by apostolic authority. The scrip
lures teach US that Il is the duty of all
to be solcitous for the salvation OF one s
neighbor according to the power and posi-
ton of each The faithful do this by re-
iigiously discharglng the duties Of their
state Of life, by the uprightness Of their
conduct, by their works of Christian char
ity and by earnest and continuous prayer
to God. On the other hand, those who
belong to the clergy should do this by
an enlightened fulfllment Of their ministry
by the pomp and splendor OF ceremonies
especially by setting forth that sound form
OF doctrine which ST. Paul inculcated upon
Titus and Timothy. But If. among the
different ways Of preaching the word OF
God, that one sometimes sees TO be prefer
able which IS directed to non-Catholics
not in churches, but in some suitable place
in such wise that controversy is not sought
but friendly conference, such method
Is certainly without fault. But let those
who undertake such ministry be set apart
by the authority of the bishops and le
them be men whose science and virtue has
been previously ascertained. For we think
that there are many in your country whC
are separated from Catholic truth rather
by ignorance than by i'll will. who nigh
perchance more easily be drawn 10 the
~ eaH
forth to them in friendly and familiar
way.
/ From the foregoing II Is manifest. be
/ loved son, that we are not able 70 give ap
prevail to those views which. in their co.
I lective sense. are called BY some Amer
| cauism. but If by this name are 70 b
/ understood certain endowments OF min
/ which belong to the America people. JUS
/ as other characteristics belong 10 variou
other nations. and II. moreover, by It
designated your political condition and n
/ laws and customs BY which you are gov
/ erned. there IS no reason 10 take exec
/ ton 10 the name. But II this is to be 5
! understood that the doctrines which haF
/ been adverted 10 above are not only n
dicated but exalted. there can be 10 man
/ ner OF doubt that our venerable brethren
! the bishops Of America, would be the hTs
! TO repudiate and condemn II as being mos
/ Injurious 70 themselves and 70 tnelr coun
try. For It would give rise 10 TIE susp'
/ cion TIA; there are among you some IN
/ conceive and would have the church q
America 20 be different from what i l. 81
/ the rest OF the world
But the true church IS one, as % uni'
/ Of doctrine. 50 by unity OF government az
she Is Catholic also. since God has place
/ rs center ard foundation q uity in ~