Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-04
THE YEAR OF JUBILEE.

The MISUNDERSTANDING discus
sion dies hard For this reason the de-
cree signed by Cardinal Mazzella, pre-
feet of the congregation of studies, Is
OF more than usual interest. The car
dlnal avoids all ambiguity and sets the
disputed question at rest, as far as the
Catholic world is concerned, thus cor
rectlng the erroneous Interpretation
previously given to a portion Of the
papal proclamation. Cardinal Mazzela
In his decree, dated Nov. 10, 1899, says
In part:
And since the present century will
come TO an end and a new one begin at
midnight OF December 81, of next year,
II is most fitting that with some sacred
and solemn ceremony thanks be given
to God for the benefits received during
the present era; and In the greater need
OF our times greater blessings be asked
for a happy opening OF the new century
With a view, therefore, of beseeching
the assistance of God and his only be-
gotten Son, our Savior, that the ap-
preaching year, 1900, may enjoy favor
able beginning, with peace and pros
perlty continued, and ending usher In
what We may rightly hope will be a stil
more happy century; our holy father.
Pope Leo XIII. graclously comedies that
at midnight on December 81, both OF the
closing and OF the coming year, the most
blessed sacrament may be exposed for
alteration in those churches and chapels
In which IL Is rghtfully kept, wherever
the judges deem prudent, and the
privilege Is granted Of reading or sing
ing at the same hour, with the blessed
sacrament exposed, one mass Of the
feast Of the circumcision Of our Lord
and the octave Of Christmas and as a
special favor, permission Is granted TO
the faithful to receive holy communion
either during the mass or after IT, all
necessary conditions 10 be observed"
This should settle the much discussed
question. But apart from this subject
the idea % making the last year OF the
century a year Of jubilee is a happy one.
In the Mosaic dspensatlon every
seventh year was a year Of rest, and
every fftleth year, besides, a year OF
jubilee. During that year, those In bond
age were entitled to liberty; property
was TO be returned to It's original own
ers; land bought reverted back to the
seller, and the affairs Of the entire coun-
try were readjusted and brought rs
near as possible in accordance with
the original settlement under divine
guidance. The jubilee was instituted for
the purpose OF preventing the accumu-
laton Of property on a few hands 1t
operated against the tendency Of golng
into the bondage Of Indebtedness, by Of
fcring the usuret no lnducement TO put
his money out on interest, except on a
short time and reasonable terms.
At this time, year OF jubilee" can
not be TO the people Of the world what
It was TO the Hebrew nation anclently.
But II Is nevertheless most timely re-
mindor Of that ancient arrangement. for
the temporal salvation OF a highly fav-
ored nation. Social reforms are de-
manded loudly today, and reformers
abound TO meet the demand. Ancient
Institutions like the year Of Jubilee"
are a least proof that the questions OF
this age occupied the public mind mil
lennlums ago, and that earnest efforts
We're made to solve them. Are there not
In some Of the laws Of Moses sugges-
tons, that II acted upon. would lead
to q solution Of many Of the problems.
that now seem lnsoluble except in a
general destruction Of the social build
ing Of many ages?