The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-24

surely to all who do not forget that the
continual prayer. of the just aVails tc
placate and TO bring down the blessings
of heaven when to such prayers bodily
modification is added.
But # there be those who prefer to form
one body without the obligation of the
vows, let them pursue such course. Ii
is not new in the church nor in any wise
censurable. Let them be careful, how
ever, not to set forth such state above
that of religious orders. But rather, since
mankind is more. disposed at the present
time to indulge itself in pleasures, let
those be held in greater esteem, who
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 1t will suffice
dence to neglect that which antiquity in
Its long experience has approved and
which is also taught by Apostolic author
ity. The Scriptures teach us that 1t is
salvation Of ones neighbor, according to
the power and position of each.
The faithful do this by religiously dis
charging 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.
the. clergy should do this by an enlight-
ened fulfllment Of their preaching mill
istry, by the pomp and splendor Of cere-
monies and especially by setting forth
Paul inculcated upon Titus and Timothy.
But If, among the different ways OF
preaching the word Of God that one some
times seems to be preferable which is d.
rected to non-Catholics, not in churches,
but in some suitable place, in such wise
that controversy Is not sought, but friend
ly conference, such a method is certainly
without fault But let those who under
ministry
authority Of the Bishops and let them be
men whose science and virtue have been
previously ascertained. For we think that
there are many In your country who are
separated from Catholic truth by igno-
rance rather than by Ill 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.
From the foregoing 1t is manifest, be-
loved son, that we are not able to give ap-
proval to those views which, In their
Apprehension" But If by this name are
to be understood certain endowments OF
mind which belong to the American peo-
pie, just as other characteristics. belong
TO various other nations, and If, more
over, by it is designated your political
condition and the laws and customs by
to take exception to the name. But If
this is to be understood that the doc
trines which have been adverted to above
are not only indicated, but exalted. there
can be no manner of doubt that our ven
cradle brethren, the Bishops OF America
would be the first to repudiate and con-
denim 1t as being most injurious to them
selves and to their country. For 1t would
give rise to the suspicion that there are
among us some who conceive and would
have the church in America to be differ
ent than what it is in the rest of the
world. But the true church is one as by
unity of doctrine. SO by unity of gov
eminent and she is Catholic also.
Since God has placed the center and
foundation of unity in the chair o!
blessed Peter, she is rightly called the
Roman church, for where Peter is there
is the church" Wherefore, If anybody
wishes to be considered a real Catholic he
ought to be able to say from his hear
the self-same words which Jerome ad-
dressed to Pope Damascus: II, acknowl-
edging no other leader than Christ. an
bound in fellowship with your holiness mes IS,
that is, with the chair of Peter. / know
that the church was built upon him as It's
rock, and that whosoever gathereth moi
with you scattereth-
We have thought 1t betting, beloved
son, in view Of your office, that this let.
fer 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
a country which in past times has. done
so much for the cause of religion and
which will by the divine assistance con
tinue to do still greater things. TO you
and to ali the faithful of America, we
grant most lovingly, as a pledge OF divine
assistance, our apostolic benedictfon.
Given at Rome, from st. Peter s, the
22d day of January, 1889, and the thirty
first Of our pontifcate. LEO Kill.