The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-10-31

to attack errors with bitterness, to rep
rchend vices too vehemcntly, some
times does more harm than good The
Apostle no doubt eXhortcd Timothy:
"Reprove, entreat, rebuke'; but he
also added, lin all patience" OIL Tim.
IV:2). Certainly Jesus has left us ex-
ampes of this kind. "Comr to Me-
thus we read of His having spoken
''all you that labor and are burdened,
and l will refresh your NIatt. NI:2S).
by these weak and burdencu people
J lie meant no other than these who arc
the slaves OF sin and error. How
great in truth was the mercy IF this
Divine Master. What tenderness
what compassion toward all of every
sort WHO We're in trouble! Isaus truly
described His heart in these words:
Il have given my spirit upGn Him:
He shall not cry, neither shall His
voice be heard abroad; the bruised
reed he shall not break and smoking
flax he shall not quench' (lsaias
NLlI:1-3). This patient and kind
charity ought to be extended also to
those who are opposed to Us and
pcrsecute us. I'VE are reviled''-
thus st. Paul protested for himself
and we bless; and we are prosecuted
and we suffer it; we are blasphemed
and we intreat" u Cor. IV:l2-13).
Perhaps they appear worse than they
really are. Intercourse with others,
prejudices, advice and example which
they receive, and finally false shame
lave drawn them into the ranks of the
wicked; but their will is not so de-
PRAYED as they themselves would have
people believe. Who will deprive us
of the hope that the flame Of Christian
charity can drive away the darkness
from their souls and bring them Gods
light and peace? The fruit of our
labors will perhaps sometimes be slow
in coming; but charity does not grow
weary of hoping, remembering that
Gods rewards are not for the re-
suits of labors, but for good Intentions
1t is true, venerable brethren. that in
this difficult work of the restoration
of the human race in Christ it is not
our idea that you or your clergy should
lose help of any kind. We know that
God has recommended to each one
the care of his neighbor Nccl
NNI1:1W. Not alone, then, the clergy,
but all the faithful without exception,
should take thought OF the interests
of God and souls, not certainly OH
their own responsibility and following
their individual views, but always
under the direction and tile authority
of the Bishops; for to preside, to teach,
to govern is granted i'll the Church to
no one but to you whom the Holy
Ghost hath placed to rule the Church
of God" (Acts NN 2S). Our predc
ccssors for Il long time past approved
and blessed the action of those Cath
olics who for various purposes, but al
ways with Il religious design, combin
ed together in societies. We also do
not hesitate to award praise to such
excellent institutions, and we earnestly
desire that they he propa gated and
flourish in city and country. But we
desire that these institutions should
principally and above all tend to pro-
duce and maintain constantly Il Chris
tian life amongst those who become
members of them. 1t is indeed of little
avail to discuss many questions subtly
and to speak with eloquence of rights
and duties il all this he disassociated
from practice The present time de-
mAn,ls action; but action which con-
ssts altogether in observing with
fidelity and in their entirety their di-
vine laws and the precepts of the
Church, in the free and open profess
sion of religion, in the exercise of
works Of charity OF all kinds without
any consideration Of self and worldly
advantages. Such bright examples of
so many soldiers of Christ will surely
be far more effective in moving and
drawing souls than mere words and
lofty discussions; and it will easily
come about that, fear being laid aside
and prejudices and doubts removed,
a great many will be drawn to Christ,
making themselves in turn promoters
of the knowledge and love Of Him,
which is the way to true and solid
happiness. Undoubtedly If in every
town and village the Commandments
of God are faithfully observed, IL sa-
cred things are respected If the Sacra-
ments are freuuGntcd, II care is given
to everything appcrtAining to the
Christian life there will be no need to
30 further, venerable brethren, to re-
store all things in Christ. Nor is this
the benefit for the attainment of Heav-
emily blessings merely; it will also en-
sure the greatest advantages to the
age and to human society; for, this
state of things being assured, the
mobiles and the wealthy will be just
and charitable towards their poorer
brethren, and these will bear with
calmncss and patience the trials re-
sultirlg from straitered circumstances;