The Savannah morning news., 1903-02-16

IS surrounded in Rome, and in spite OF
the anti-Catholic outbreak on the part
of the radical and communistic ma
jority in the French assembly, and the
possibly wider spread of secularism
and so-called liberalism, that the pres
t1ge of the papacy has notably increas-
ed, and its salutary influence on soci-
ETY. received wider recognition during
the years of Leo's pontificate. 1t IS
not time as yet to assign Leo's place
in history, for we are too near him to
view in its entirety the majestic pro-
portions Of his phenomenal career.
NO sooner in fact had Leo XIII as
sumed the tiara than he commenced
the sublime series of letters, which
have made the world his debtor and
which have gained him the respect and
admiration of all right-thinking men.
As was to be expected, Leo first turned
his attention to matters of doctrine,
and in the encyclical of Aug. 4, 1879,
insisted on the adoption of the Thomis-
tic system of philosophy in which. as
the Holy Father declared, A careful
distinction is made between reason and
faith, which are as yet so united that
the rights and dignity of each are most
carefully guarded.
Question of Marriage.
ION Feb. IA, 1880, appeared the en-
cyclical which treats of Christian mar
riage. In this the Pope speaks of the
Christian constitution of the family
and the nature of the contract, which
has been by our divine Lord raised to
the dignity of one OF the seven Sacra-
ments of the New Law He gives a
brief sketch of marriage in heather
times and under the Mosaic dispensa-
ton and demonstrates from the ex-
press words of Christ and st. Paul the
sacred character of marriage and its
lndissolubility. He shows the innumer-
able evils to individuals and society
arising from the erroneous ideas which
have prevailed outside the church re-
garding marriage. especially from the
usurpation of the civil authorities who
nave rashly pretended to exercise a
power which Christ has expressly for
bldden. He points to the great bene-
hts accruing to societSefrom the watch
ful care of the church in protecting
the sanctity and perpetuity of mar
riage, and how in the past the Popes
have resisted mighty rulers who sought
TO put away their lawful wives He
denounces divorce as a fruitful source
of a multitude of evils.
"On June 30, 1881, appeared his ia
nous encyclical on civil authority. In
this he teaches that the church has
always held that God is the source and
fount of all authority. There is no
question in the Pope's teaching of any
special form of government the church
can approve of any form of govern
ment provided it does not violate jus
tice and right. He shows the manifest
advantages of the Catholic principle
which recognizes conscientious duty
IN the citizen to obey the laws of the
land. unless such laws are manifestly
opposed to the divine commandments.
All Men Debtors to Pope.
ITO the Christian mind. and we use
this term in its most comprehensive
meaning, there are few things done by
Leo XIII which should have rendered
every man who believes in Revelation
his debtor, as his encyclical letter of
NOV. is, 1898. In which he teaches the
divine character of Holy Writ and its
divine authorship He declares. what
has always been taught by the church,
that the Scriptures were written in
their entirety and all their parts un-
der the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
He earnestly eXhorts "a more accurate
study of the Holy Scriptures and
praises those who devote their talents
to the defense of them and making
them more safely and abaundantly ac-
cessible to the flock of Christ He
shows how the person and office of our
Blessed Lord and the institution, ma
ture, office and gifts of His church are
clearly portrayed in the Scriptures. He
refers to the noble work done by :he
church in order that the celestial treas
ure of the Sacred Books so bountifully
bestowed upon man by the Holy Spirit
should not lie neglected.
We cannot forget the sublime words
of Leo XIII in 1900 on Christ our Re-
deemer, by which he earnestly exhorts
the prelates of the world to greater
zeal in Christ's cause and in spreading
far and wide the knowledge and love
OF our Lord, not merely among the
children of the church, but also among
those who, while protesting Christian
1ty. are yet outside the fold of Christ.
Nor should we overlook his frequent
appeals to his children to have recourse
in their needs to the powerful aid of
Mary, the mother of Christ, the One
whom all nations call blessed. The reci-
tauon OF the rosary has received, a
greater impetus and with II he has also
insisted on public recognition of the
great dignity of the chaste spouse of
Mary and foster father of Jesus Christ,
st. Joseph,
Representation at Washington.
THE establishment of the apostolic
delegation at Washington, which filled
the hearts of all loyal Catholics in the
States with joy, has been one of many
proofs of his loving care for his chill
dren here. No less a proof was given
in 1899, when in a letter sent to His
Eminence. Cardinal Gibbons, the be-
loved metropolitan of this province
Leo called attention to some danger
Gus tendencies which were appearing
here. No better estimate has been
placed on the great Importance of this
letter than that which is given by a
famous Italian publication under the
auspices of the Society of Jesus-the
Civilta Catholica: The practical les
son which we must all draw from Leo
Kills apostolic letter is that Catholic
principles do not change whether
through the passing of years or the
changing of countries or new discov-
cries, or motives of utility. They are
always the principles that Christ
taught. that the church made known.
that Popes and councils defended, that
the saints loved. that the doctors dem
onstrated. As they are they must be
taken or left. Whoever accepts them
in all their fullness and strictness is a
Catholic; whoever hesitates, staggers,
adapts himself to the times, makes
compromises, may call himself by what
name he will. but before God and the
church he is rebel and a traitor No
truer words were ever said.
Ought to Give Thanks.
ut is our duty, reverend and dear
father, as it should be and is our pleas
ure, to give public thanks to God FOR
the prolongation of life so precious
to us. Six months ago we had the great
happiness of kneeling at his feet and
expressing to him the heartfelt loyalty
and devotion of our clergy and people.
Let us publicly testify our filial Joy