The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-01-30
lad not caused the wnman,s death.

had not caused the woman's death, de
clared that i" he had been consulted
the visit would not have been allowed.
Tho bereaved husband made a great
outcry against the priest, declaring
that he would in future protect his
home against all trcspassers. This fury
was of the straw fire order, for he
married again in three months to a
day.
We would call the attention of the
Catholic women of the city to this
new danger of mixed marriage. and to
place in pre-nuptial agreements But
heretofore the priests have not had
any trouble with Protestant DOCTORS
and all whom we have met havo al
ways claimed that the presence Of
priests in the sick room was soothing
and helpful to their patients. We GER
deathbed is less likely to be disturbed
by the presence of the priest than by
that of the doctor himself. If both
cannot be admitted we are sure 1t is
the doctor who would be told to stay
away. The conduct Of this particular
physician would be a good argument
in favor of employing only Catholic
doctors to walt upon the Catholic
sick.
But priests would do we'll to bear in
mind that they have no right IN law
to visit any member of Il mans fam
lily against his wishes TTc Is master
and lord of his own castle and can
prevent tho intrusion Of any ono not
a member of his family. This is the
common law; but it is never invoked
against a minister OF religion. Every
one is supreme master Of his own SOUL
and is alone responsible to God for 1t.
The soul is every mans and Woman's
castle in far higher and holier sense
Christian woman has a. soul: she is not
a Turk, and the United States is not
Turkey. When the law was made
giving the head OF the family absolute
right over the home brutcs like this
Protestant husband were unknown.
And even here in the United States a
from administering the sncraments to
his dying wife would be set on by his
Protestant neghbors and driven from
the place. If in defense of his legal
rights he should shoot down tho min
lister Of religion he would be lynchcd
by the mob. But law is law, and even
brutes can claim it's protection.
The lawyer in this case, who signs
himself Worshipful Master OF Tuscan
Lodge No. $50, is in very small busi
ness threatening priests with prosecu-
tion for bringing the consultations OF
their religion to dying Catholics. lie
would be better employed teaching his
fellow craftsmen humanity. The Free
masons mover tire talking of charity.
That is the alleged foundation of their
order. All their symbols proclaim 1t.
Is it charity to prevent a dying Cath
olic from receiving the last consultations
of religion on his dcathbed? Is II
charity to refuse n poor woman dying
request, which costs no ono anything.
but which to her is OF infinite worth ?
Is it charity to deprive a poor soul
about to leave earth and all it con-
tains OF It's one hope OF heavenly in
heritance? Is it charity to add IT, tho
pains of the dying body the torturcs
OF the unshrivcn soul? Tho savage
brute would have more charity thar
that The pagans would shuddcr at
such barbarity as that. God help poor
Catholics who wilfully put themselves
in tho power Of such brutcs.