Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-24

namely, that the religious life Is either en-
tirely useless or of little service to the
church, besides being injurious to the re-
ligious orders, cannot be the opinion OF any
one who has read the annals of the church.
Did not your country, the United States,
derive the beginnings both OF faith and OF
culture from the children Of these religious
families, to one OF whom but very lately-a
thing greatly to your praise-you have de-
creed 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
10 they not bring forth.
How very many leave home and seek
strange lands to impart the truth OF the gos-
pei and to widen the bounds of civilization,
and this they do with the greatest cheerful
ness 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 between those who follow the active
state of life from those others who charged
self-solicitude, give themselves to prayer
and bodily modification And how much,
indeed, Of good report these have merited
and to merit is known surely to all who do
not forget that the continual prayer of the
Just man 'avuils to placate aud to bring
down the blessings of heaven when to such
prayers bodily modification is added
buI IL tnpTc De muse VIII prefer W lOIm
one body without the obligation OF the VOWS,
let them pursue such a course. 1t is not
new in the church nor In anywise censura-
bic. Let them be careful, however, not to
set forth such a state above that of reli-
gious orders. But rather, since mankind Is
more disposed at the present time TO Indulge
themselves in pleasures, let those be held
In greater esteem who, having left all
things, have followed Christ"
he soIicitous Of Your Neighbor.
Finally, not to delay too long, 1t 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 it will suffice to note that
1t 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 scriptures teach
that Ii is the duty of all to be solicitous for
the salvation of ones neighbor according to
the power and position of each. The faith
full do this by religiously discharging the
duties of their state of life, by the upright
ness of their conduct, by their works Of
Christian charity and by earnest and con-
tinuous prayer to God.
On the other hand, those who belong to
the clergy should do this by am enlightened
fulfllment of their preaching ministry, by
the pomp and splendor of ceremonies espe-
cially, by setting forth that sound form Of
doctrine which st. Paul inculcated upon
Titus and Timothy. But, II among the diff
ferent ways of preaching the word of God
that one sometimes seems to be preferable
which is directed to ucn-Catholics, not in
churches, but in some suitable place, such
wise that controversy is not sought, but
friendly conference, such a method is GER
tainly without fault. But let those who I'M
dertake such ministry be set apart by the
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 more by ig-
norance than by ill-will, who might per
chance more easily be drawn to the one fold
of Christ if this truth be set forth to them
in a friendly and familiar way.
Americnnism in Collective Sense.
From the foregoing it is manifest. be-
loved son, that we are not able to give APP
prevail to those views which, in their col
~lective sense, are called by some "Ameri-
canism."
But, if by this name are to be understood
certain endowments of mind which belong
to the American people, just as
other characteristics belong to vari-
GUS other nations, and If, moreover,
by 1t is designated your political condition
and the laws and customs by which you are
governed, there is no reason to take excep-
ton to the name. But II this Is to be so
understood that the doctrines which have
been adverted to above are not only :ndi-
Gated, but exalted, there can be no manner
of doubt, brethren, that the bishops OF
America would be the first to repudiate and
condemn it as being most injurious to them
selves and to their country. For 1t would
give rise to the suspicion that there are
among you some who conceive and would
have the church in America 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 center and foundation Of unity in the
chair of blessed Peter she is rightly called
the Roman church, for where Peter Is,
there is the church."
Wherefore, If anybody wishes to be con-
sidered a real Catholic he ought to be able
to say from his heart the self same words
which Jerome addressed to Pope Damascus:
II, acknowledging no other leader than
Christ, am bound in fellowship with your
holiness; that is, with the chair of Peter. /
know that the church was built upon him
as it's rock and that whatsoever 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 be our care to see that copies are sent
10 the bishops of the Uaited States testify
ing again that love by which we embrace
your whole country, a country which in past
times has done so much for the cause Of re-
ligion and which will by the divine assiet-
ance continue to DO Still greater tllngs. To
you and to all The faithful of America we
grant lovingly as a pledge of divine assist
ancs our apostolic benediction.
Given at Rome, from st. Peters, the ED
day OF January, 1899, and the thirty-first OF
our poptificate. LEO XIII.
bermuda People Entertain
HAMIT TON Rermuda Feb. 23-Rea Adj