The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-24

That such value Is generally held by the
upholders of new view, we infer from certain
statements concerning the views which rellg-
ious orders take. They say vows are allen
to the spirit of our times. in that they limit
the bounds of human liberty; that they are
more suitable to weak than TO strong minds
that SO FAR from making for human perfection
and the good of humsn organization, they are
hurtful to both. butt that this 10 as false as
possible from the practice and the doctrine or
the church is clear since che always has given
the very highest approval to the religious
method OF life, nor without good cause, for
those who under the Divine cali have freely
embraced that state of life did not content
themselves with the observance OF precepus
but. going forward to the evangelical counsels,
of Christ Shall we Judge this to be a
characteristic of weak minds, or shall we say
that 1t Is useless or hurtful to more per-
feet state OF life?
NO LOSS OF LIBERTY.
Those who no bind themselves by the vows
OF religion, far from having suffered a loss
of liberty, enjoy that fuller and freer kind,
that liberty, namely, by what Christ hath
made us free. And this further. view of theirs,
namely, that the religious life is either en-
trey useless or Of little service to the
church, besides being injurious to the relg-
one who has read the annals of the church.
Did not your country, the United States, delve
the beginnings both of faith and culture from
the members of these religious families? TO
one OF Wnom but very lately, thing greatly
TO your praise, you have decreed that a statue
be publicly erected
And even at the present time. wherever the
religious families are found how speedy and
yet how fruitful a harvest of good works
do they not bring forth? However, many leave
nome and seek strange lands to impart the
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
nf he
directors OF consciences, the teachers of youth
and the church itself the examples of hu-
mainly
Nor should any difference of praise be
made between those who follow the active
state OF HE, from those others, who, charmed
from soHcitude give themselves to prayer
indeed of the good report these have merited
and do merit is known surely to all who do
not forget that the 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 II there be those who prefer to form
one body without the obligation of the vows
let them pursue such course. 1t is not
new IN the church nor in any wise censura,
ole. Let them be careful, however not to
set forth such state above that Of relig-
more disposed at the present time to in
du;ge themselves in pleasures. let those be
held in greater esteem who having left all
things, have followed Christi
SINH RE 1EACtiINCtS.
FINALLY, not to delay too long, it is stated
that the way and method hrtheto 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 it will suffice to note that it
Is not the part of prudence to neglect that
which antiquity in it's long experience has
approved, and which is also taught by apos-
tolic authority. The Scriptures teach us that
IN he COLI f1r h.
salvation OF ones neighbor according to the
power and exposition of each The faithful
40 TINS by religiously discharging the duties
of their state of life, by the uprightness of
their conduct, by their works of Christian
charity and by earnest and continuous prayer
to God. On the other hand those who be-
long to the clergy should do this by an en-
ilghtened fulfillment of their preaching min
lstry, by the pomp and splendor of cere-
monies especially by setting forth that sound
form OF doctrine which St. Paul inculcated
upon Titus and Timothy
But, if among the different views of preach-
ing the Word of God that one sometimes
seems to be preferable which is directed to
non-Gathollcs not in churches, but in some
suitable place, In such wise that contro-
versy is not sought, but friendly conference
for such method is certainly without fault
BUT let those who undertake such ministry
be set apart by the authority of the bish-
ops and let them be men whose science and
virtue has been previously ascertained For
we tnlnk there are many in your country
who aIe separated from catholic truth more
by ignorance than by i'll WILL who might
perchance, more easily be drawn to the one
fold of Christ if this truth be set forth to
them in friendly and familiar way.
CANNOT APPROVE AMERICANTsM
From the foregoing it is manifest. beloved
son, that we are not able to give approval
to those views which, in their collective
sense. are called by some "Americanism. )"
BUT II by this name are to be understood
certain endowments of mind which belong to
the American people, just as other character
lsties belong to various other nations and
II, moreover, by it is designated your political
condition and laws and customs by which
you are governed, there is no reason to
take exception to the name. But if by this it
IS TO De understood that the doctrines which
nave been adverted to above are not only
INDICATED but exalted there be no man
ner OF doubt that our venerable brethern
the bishops of America, would be the first
to repudiate and condemn it as being most
injurious to themselves and to their coun-
try. For it would give rise to the suspi-
clon that there are among you some who
conceive and would have the church in Amer
lea to be different from what it 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
foundation of unity of this church blessed
Peter, it is rightly called the Roman church
Tor WHERE Peter is there is the church
Wherefore, If anybody wishes to be c0nsid-
cred real Catholic he ought to be able..+o
say from his heart the selfsame words which
Jerome addressed to Pope Damascus: Il,
acknowledging other leader than Christ,
am bound in fellowship with your holiness
| that is, with the church of Peter. l know
that the church was built upon him as it's
rock, and that whosoever gathereth 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 b. our care to see that copies are sent
to. the bishops Of the United States. testi-
! flying again that love by which embrace
/ your whole country--a country which In past
times has done SO much for the cause of re-
| ligion, and which will by divine assistance
! continue to do still greater things. To you
and to all the faithful of America we grant
| most lovingly pledge of divine assist
ance, apostolic benedicton
/ Given at Rome, from st. Peters the 22d
day of January, 1899, and the thirty-frst Of
! our pontifcate Leo XIII.