The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1915-11-07

sins.
While those outside the Catholic
church do not admit that the book of
IMaccabees is the inspired word, yet
It has the effect, nevertheless, of a
historic work and it proves that the
belief in praying for the dead ante
dates Christianity. While even the
Anglican church admits, that these
books are amongst those which the
church doth read for example Of life
and instruction Of manners" as seen
| in the sixth Of the thirty-nine articles.
The next argument we have is ira,
dition. AS far as the history OF Chris
tianity goes, we have the belief in
prayers for the dead. The practice
was treated as of apostolic origin as
early as the days of Tertullin who, in
forcible words, ayows that for this
Christian usage has the authority Of
tradition and custom. Ode corou. Mil.
5;9P. T., 2, 500 #
7 st. Augustine, in his confessions, 8.
10 and So. p. Il 80 and us, speaking
of his dying mother, tells us that she
begged only that she might be remem-
bered at the altar, saying that she
knew that at the altar was distributed
the saving victim by which Is blotted
out the handwriting of the decree that
is against us. (Coloss. 2:14.) b
Innumerable other Patristic pas
sages are to the same effect.
This doctrine does not initiate
against the magnificent superabun-
dance Of our Lords redemption. Not
!withstanding the infinite efficiency Of
the death of Christ and its applica-
ton to all, it is not Ineffective in
nhny cases. st. John explains this
in his gospel Chapter 1, verse 81,
when he says: "The light shined in
darkness, but the darkness would not
comprehend it. God sent His Son for
the illumination Of all men, yet men
loved darkness rather than light for
their works of evil. ?" John, 8: 19.) The
sun pours forth light and warmth up
on all the earth, yet it is possible for
men to conceal themselves from its
rays and make It to themselves as II
lit did not exist. We believe that If
we have perfect contritfon and die
making perfect act Of charity, that
we go straight to heaven through the
merits OF our Lord and Savior. Yet
II our contrition OF our love is imper-
feet, we are not worthy to behold the
face Of God. That which is defiled
must be washed away, and we will be
held in prison until the last farthing
Is paid. Cook of Revelations, Apoc-
|alypse, 21:27; Matthew, 5:25-26.)
This doctrine will, II we reflect but
O little, appeal to us as very reason
able. 1t does not condemn a soul with
out even the pretence of penance. 1t,
does not for the slightest sin, for the
half voluntary thought Of the silly
word, make a merciful God cast
soul into the flames Of hell forever;
whereas, on the other, hand, It does
not teach that years Of sin may be
atoned for by the simple presumption
that God has pardoned them. 1t is
against every idea Of Justice that a
sinner who has been heaping up for
himself measure of wrath for many
years, should be admitted at once,
|impenitent and unburified, into the
company Of the angels and the elect.
There Is an element Of Christians.
outside the Catholic church who deny
the existence Of hell. They believe in
a temporal hell, and not in an eterna.
one. They teach that the punishment
melted out to- sinners is only for a
time. These same virtually believe in
Ia purgatory, for purgatory is nothing
else than temporal place ofipunish-
ment, where the just are purified and
made worthy to see the face of God.
The doctrine os the g Communion Of
Saints. teaches us that We can help
one another with our prayers; not
only those who are living with us, but
likewise those who have gone before
us with sign OF faith and rest in
the sleep of peace.
It is q most beautiful and divine
doctrine and a loving Concession ON
the part of Almighty God, that he per-
+1nits US to help those whom we love
in life.
I This practice of praying for the
dead appealed to me as a very beau
|tiful one when / was first received in
the Catholic church. and mud that
At makes the same impression on
other converts Who like myself, were
mot born aud raised III the Catholic