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A CATHOLIC JOURNAL

DEVOTED TO RELIGION, EDUCATION, GENERAL LITERATURE, SCIENCE

No. 15.]

dc., &c.

[By Episcopal Authority, and under the Invocation of St. Vincent de Paul.]

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1852.

RELIGIOUS EQUALITY.

[PRICE ONE PENNY.

jury, for insult, aggression, and crime, that Scarcely a single day passes without re- would not be borne in any nation, save in cording public events which warrant us in Protestant England--England, that even in stating our conviction that, if we do not press the face of all the atrocities committed on for Religious Equality, and in a manner Catholics for the last three years, still boasts which will convince our unscrupulons op- of her free institutions, and audaciously proponents that we are earnest in our demand, clams to a contemptuous and sneering world, and determined to recover our rights, there that she is the champion of Civil and will soon be no such thing as Religious Religious Liberty!! Toleration for Catholics known in the British The Fifth of November Riots is a stereo. Islands. We are no alarmnists. We do not typed insult, annually enacted for the base our conviction on a single act of charitable purpose of wounding the feelings atrocity, or draw our conclusions from the of Her Majesty's Catholic subjects, and in spiteful exhibitions of bigotry which may this very year, it has exhibited marks of disgrace the character of any particular cold-blooded ferocity not surpassed by the locality. Unfortunately, we have too many outrages of the semi-demons who conexamples to refer to-from John O'Groats to ducted the hellish Saturnalia at any former the Land's-end--from the Severn to the anniversary of the " Stuart-Ministerial Plot," Humber-from the centre to the sea-board, as is proved by the attempt made to murder all is the same. The same identical feeling or blow up some of the ininates of the house pervades every spot, and could we be swept of Mr. Walker, a Catholic gentlemen in from the soil of Britain, no pains would be Preston, who, according to the Preston spared to achieve the glorious deed! But Chronicle, is a man "who has gained the that deed may not be accomplished. We have work given us to perform, and we will perform it. We have to strike the chains from the Church. We have to obtain a Religious Equality, and it must be obtained. But, it were not wise to overlook the obstructions that lie in our way, or undervalue the influence, the tactics, the unChristian spirit, or the number of our opponents. Let us drive from our winds It is very painful to be subjected on the hope, that time has softened down the these anniversaries to the insults of an malice which raged so fiercely in '50 and '51. ignorant and ferocious mob-to hear our Let us be assured that the temyer which religion maligned, our clergy vilified, our made all the people of England respond to ceremonies ridiclued, and ourselves most Lord John's iniquitous call, remains un-heartily anathematized. It is provoking and changed; ready to boil over the moment a galling to see the effigies of the princes of the political or religious incendiary pleases to Church, and that even of the Holy Father apply his torch. Look to the effect of the himself, burned amid the yells, and execraDerby proclamation. Read the feelings of the tions, and blasphemies of a drunken and inEnglish people in the Stockport riots. Read furiated rabble, whose mental endowments the mercy of the savage mob in the sacking hardly raise them a single degree above the of houses, the wrecking of chapels, the donkies that figure with meekness and conhunting of priests, and the murder of inno- genial stupidity in these unholy processions. cent victims; but more particularly than But it is immeasurably more painful to be any other sign of the times, mark the tardy, exposed to the unrestrained assault of such the unwilling, the scanty, the one-sided a mob, for eight or ten successive hours, as justice administered by the police authori- the Catholic Pastor of St. John's Church, ties, the magistrates, the judge, and the Gravesend, and his people had to bear on

good will of all parties." Now, as the man was not personally obnoxious to the malicious or revengeful feelings of the murderous incendiary, it is clear that it must have been a hatred to the religion, and a burning desire to up-root it, which urged him to the foul deed-a feeling participated in by all the bigots, from Lord Saftesbury, down to the merest parish beadle.

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the night of the 9th and morning of the cherish our apathy, they will lash us into 10th of November last. It appears that action, they will kick us into compact, and the magistrates had received proper notice kindle our zeal at fires, lighted up in the of the threatened attack, but moved not a Stockport and Gravesend style. Who can foot either to prevent it or check the vio- dispute our views? No rational man! The lence of the rabble when the assault did Clergy of Stockport will not; the Pastor of take place. There were plenty of soldiers St. John's Church, Gravesend, will not; the on the spot, but not a man was called forth insulted Sisters of Mercy," in Liverpool, to quell the riot. Half a dozen of police, will not; Mr. Walker, of Preston, will not. however, interfered, and got roughly Who will? Not a rational man in the handled for their forwardness The church British Empire! What, then, shall we conwas completely wrecked; an unsuccessful tent ourselves, and think all our duties disattempt was made to burn the priest's charged by denouncing ruffianism, by dehouse, and he himself, happily, escaped claiming against injustice, by protesting threatened murder. And this enlightened against official corruption and magisterial and free England of ours, where the law delinquency? We must not. We have confers equal rights and privileges on all, played that silly and unmanly game too but where a corrupt executive nullifies at long, we must change our tactics; we must pleasure the wisest provisions ever enacted take our own work into our own hands, and by the legislature, will permit these horrors with firmness and moderation, maintain our to sink conveniently into oblivion, satisfied rights and privileges as free citizens of a that the magistrates, with some show of free state. But how is this to be accommagnanimity, exacted the enormous fine of plished? Our only reply is, by union, by a ten shillings from each of two wretches close, a firm, a holy, and an extensive organiwho were prominent in the riots. And this zation. is British justice! Italian Potentates! To the success of such an organization, "hide your diminished heads!!" two elements are essentially necessary, viz., On all these doings, we look, as mere direction and protection. The Catholic signs of the times, as evidences of the feel- body amply furnishes both. Our people ings entertained by the sectaries against require guidance. The wisdom and expe the Church and her followers. We earnestly rience of our prelates and clergy, our desire that the entire Catholic body would nobility and gentry, will be guide sufficient. seriously weigh them, and wisely draw (as While the united people, acting under well they may) lessons of instruction from authority, violating no law, committing no them. It will not require the spirit of excess, legally seeking their rights as prophecy to convince them that they have citizens, will constitute a shield for ecclenothing to expect from their opponents siastics and ecclesiastical property, which, but bitter persecution, whenevera favourable it is true, the law itself grants, but which occasion presents itself. The Aggression the sectarian bigotry and political prejudice Bill, the Maynooth Endowment Agitation, of officials have hitherto rendered of no the Newman Trial, the Derby Proclamation, effect. But, who shall make the move? the Stockport Riots, the Fifth of November With much deference we say, the prelates Atrocities, and the Gravesend Protestant and clergy must. In personal defence-in Amusements are indisputable proofs of our defence of the Church-in defence of views, and should urge our people to the Church property-in defence of religious adoption of remedial measures- That it is orders, both male and female, they must in our own power to counteract the machi- come forth from their seclusion, and oppose nations of our enemies is a proposition their wisdom, and sanctity to the spirit of quite clear to every reflecting mind. It is the ravager. Experience has shown us that also evident that these enemies, will never no exclusively lay association, among concede a single point, which either "by Catholics, can ever effect much good, if open force or covert guile," they may be their object or their laws be such as will enabled to withold. Here there are two not meet the approbation of their spiritual motives for immediate and energetic action; superiors, the seeds of dissention are two powerful incentives to a close and holy already sown, and it needs but an accident union, which is the first step to the attain- to achieve an early dissolution; whereas, ment of Religious Equality. when the prelates of the Church can give Now, let us no longer harp on the old their sanction and co-operation, every suc string. Let us not talk of the impossibility cess, consistent with the will of God, may of union among British Catholics-no such be fairly anticipated. Union among the impossibility exists. It may take place; it British Catholics is now more than ever must take place. That it may, is proved essential to the well-being of the Church. We, by that wise and important body, "The therefore, humbly hope that her hierarchy Manchester and Salford Catholic Associa- will find it consistent with their duty to call tion;" that it must and shall take place, our for it, to cherish it, to establish it, to make enemies have decided. If declining to it fructify to the interests of religion, and to exercise our common sense, we continue to the greater nonor and glory of Almighty God.

Manchester and Salford have set a noble mates, has a real dynamical existence, inexample. Shall the men of Liverpool be stinct with vital power, sustained from slow in following it? Shall the Catholic perennial resources, and wielding inexhausmen of Liverpool not rush forward in de- tible energies. No created arm is needed fence of the insulted "Sisters of Mercy?" to repair its mechanism—no human skill to When a Protestant gentleman nobly sets direct its operations. The mighty steam the example, and indignantly denounces power, which works the wonders of our "the wide-spread course of intimidation age, is but man's tool-useless, unless he and persecution" practised in their town,- guides it; dead, unless he feeds it. But shall the 120,000 Catholics of the great mart the locomotive giant, which carries us on remain supine, while the high-minded Pro- its shoulders, is framed by an abler artist, testant gentleman so generously complains and poised by a mightier arm. It affords of "the abominable insults poured upon to man's mortal being, a pilgrim home-at the Sisters of Mercy?" Oh, no, that course first, a cradle-at last, a grave. It is the would be impossible! The Liverpool nursery, too, of his race; the gymnasium Catholics, under the advice and with the for the development of his intellectual co-operation of their prelate and clergy, will powers; the elysium of his enjoyments. take means, becoming men and Christians, But while thus the self-supplied storeto repel the insult, and prevent its recur- house for his physical wants, it is tributary, rence. The men of Preston, too, know how also, to his spiritual necessities. It is the to discharge their duty. The horrifying grand penitentiary of the moral world, in attempt made upon their respected fellow- which are bred the spirits, and secreted the citizen, affects them individually and col- hearts of its inmates; and, according to lectively, and surely must act as a stimulus the efficacy of its disciplines, it may prove to close union. We hope that ere this, a either the gloomy prison car, which conducts Catholic association, similar to that of Man-to judgment, or the triumphal chariot which chester and Salford, has been established, transports to victory.-Sir D. Brewster. both in Liverpool and Preston; and, if so, THE SEASON OF ADVENT. they may rest assured the example will be generally, if not universally followed. We The Church offers her children the beauwant this union-we want nothing beside. tiful spectacle of a year, peculiar to herself. We mean that with this union we require The year commences and closes before the no external aid; for, by our own means, we can accomplish our liberation in spite of all opposition. How often have we had occasion to state that we Catholics have been oppressed, because our opponents do not understand us. Let us destroy the picture they have foolishly drawn of us. Let us teach them to view us as we really are, and they cannot long withhold from us the blessings of Religious Equality.

ordinary reckoning; it is not intended to serve merely as a landmark in the flood of time, for the assistance of chronologers. The ecclesiastical year embodies a deep and earnest sentiment; it embraces the life of the Christian within a holy circle; each festival, as it succeeds the one rolling bye, invites the soul to follow Christ. The fleeting moments are made available for eternity; hours and days are reckoned, as they are to be, in future ages.

and presents the mind with some beautiful picture of Him; He not only being our Redeemer, but also our Divine Model.

With Advent this year commences. During Advent, the coming of the Saviour is proclaimed. It is the season of expectation.

THE LIFE OF THE EARTH. We are the sons of God. Christ is to live Mark our planet's power of locomotion, in in us; therefore any solemnity of the its diurnal movement, and in its annual Christian year, has a relation to that holy course; the dignity of its march, the fidelity life in Christ of which the Apostle speaks; with which it keeps its appointments, and the even tenor of its way, as it wheels its ethereal round. Behold the variety of its dress, the verdant drapery of spring, the flowery robe of summer, the russet mantle of autumn, and the eiderdown of its snowy coverlet, See the flash of its eye in the auroras and fire columns, in the volcanic Advent images forth the ages which flame, or in the lightning's blaze. Hear its elapsed before the birth of the Redeemer, gentle voice in the murmurs of its granite that period of obscurity, hope, and anxious rocks, the tinkling of its driven sand, the expectation. The preparation of four thoumurmurs of its waters, or its louder strain sand years for the promised Messiah, is in the roar of its foaming breakers, and the brought to the mind of each one, during awful diapason of its subterraneous thunder. the four weeks of Advent; it is to be to us a Listen to its breathing in the gaseous ele-time of expectation, that He will deign to ments which exhale from its pores, or in come and abide in our interior. And only the suffocating vapours which rush from its in those souls can the Saviour dwell, who burning lungs. Nor is this earth-life a mere have prepared a habitation for Him. The name to please the imagination, and scare same feelings which animated the people the judgment. The globe, which it ani-chosen of God, during their season of ex

pectation, must fill our breasts in Advent. | them, restore them to the practice of the important It is the time of sorrow and penance for duties which they have neglected; they can prepare sin, and ardent, longing desire to live in Christ. Hence, the Church enjoins fasting in Advent; prohibits dancing, and distracting amusements. For the same reason, it is not lawful to solemnize marriage.

The Introit, Collect, and Epistle of the first Sunday, are all directed to animate us to prepare for the coming of the Lord; and particularly the significant, forcible description of the Last Day, when the condemnation of all those shall be pronounced, who have not been one with Christ, and His spirit.

Society of St. Vincent of Paul.

"Give me one who fixes his affections on God alone. ▲ soul, who, wrapped in divine contemplation, finds nothing amiable but God, and rests in him in an ecstacy of delight without troubling himself about his neighbour. Then give me one who loves God with all his heart, and who, for love of Him, loves also his neighbour, though rude, though coarse, though imperfect, and who employs himself in his service, and does all in his power to lead him to God. Which is to be preferred —ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

TRANSLATIONS FROM THE PARIS
BULLETIN.

We have received the report of the last general meeting of the Conferences of London. That meeting, the most numerous which has yet been held, was honoured by the presence of His Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop; His Lordship the Bishop of Southwark; the Right Rev. Dr. Morris, Bishop of Troy and several distinguished ecclesiastics.

them for the reception of the Sacraments, and for the which forms the essential mission of the holy minisapproach of death; and, with the exception of that try, there is not, so to speak, any work which devolves upon the priest, that the Society may not attempt and accomplish, in a manner, the most meritorious. Conferences, desire to gain merit before God, and an If any one among those present, not belonging to the elevated place in the Church, a position which has received the approbation of the Sovereign Pontiff, and which is considered as a honor by the Bishops of the Universal Church, he can acquire none more worthy than in becoming a member of that Society, in devoting himself to it, with all his strength, and in seeking to extend it by all the means in his power. It is not necessary that I enter into the motives which were present in your thoughts. Gentlemen, when you assembled here, you would not have come hither if you had not known that charity is a duty, the most important; nor is it necessary that I enter into the details of the sufferings and afflictions, without number, which overwhelm the poor in this great metropolis, and which receive no solace, save through the affectionate and opportune visits of the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul.

"It is, in fact, a remarkable feature of London, that one may live there for years, knowing well even its streets, squares, and lanes, and yet be astonished to find that he has lived in the midst of thousands of men who lead lives of the most afflicting distress. It requires more than ordinary philanthrophy to go into these depths of misery, to discover the lowest grades of suffering. It is there that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, has undertaken to go without ceasing. And you will see those men of the world, who are most affairs, and perhaps mixing, in the course of the day, assiduous in the morning, conducting their own in innocent pleasures, adventuring, afterwards, among those out of the way lanes, without other witness than God, walking among the habitations of the unfortunate and the miserable, and relieving them, without

noise or ostentation."

After the report of the President of the Council of His Eminence terminated this eloquent address, England, which enumerated the difficulties the by making an energetic appeal to all the Catholics of Society has experienced in its development in his diocese, to grant their assistance and encourageLondon, but which also mentioned the progress of the ment to the Society. Their Lordships, the Bishops work in the provinces, the Cardinal addressed the of Southwark and Troy, terminated the proceedings meeting. We extract the following passages from his by addresses, encouraging the zeal and the per

discourse:

"Gentlemen," said he, "I consider it a matter of great importance to assist each year at the general meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, because,

severance of our brethren.

A. M. D. G.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.
(Continued from page 181.)

consider it one of the most serious duties of my ministry, to encourage every work of charity; and I know none which merits more the patronage, the From Avignon, Vincent set out for Rome, tender and paternal protection of the Church, than with N. Montario, the predecessor of Joseph the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. It is certainly

most consoling to see the true spirit of piety which Ferreri. During his sojourn in this city, animates all its members, and I am sure, if any one the French ministers, who were transacting wished to designate those who may be considered as the the affairs of their king with Paul V., enflower of the Catholic flock in this country, he would trusted him with an important message to select the Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul. their monarch, the delivery of which re"This institution has for its object what we may call the admission of the laity to the most exalted duties quired great wisdom and discretion; he of charity, which, until the time of St. Vincent de arrived in France about the beginning of Paul, had been considered as the exclusive right of the year 1609, and remained with Henry the clergy. We may say that St. Vincent de Paul IV. as long as was requiste for discharging opened the gates of the sanctuary, and admitted the his message. After the death of this prince, laity to a participation in all the duties of charity; Vincent, being nominated by Louis XIII. and those who belong to that Society will have seen,

by experience, that it is impossible to attain to the to the Abbey of St. Leonard, began to fulfil most exalted degree of that eminent virtue, otherwise all the duties of Christian charity. He than by following, with exactitude, the duties and the visited, with great assiduity, the sick in the spirit of their association. There is not, exclusive of Hospital de la Charité, served them by every the administration of the Sacraments, any species of

good which the members of the Society may not possible attention, and by moving exhortadiffuse among their fellow creatures, and especially tions, encouraged them to bear their afflicamong the poor. They can instruct them, console tions with patience and resignation to the

will of God. Our Saint had not been at performed a journey to Marseilles, his deParis a year, when his patience was put to sign was to examine whether he could do the test by a trial which made him even as much for the slaves of the town, as he had regret the chains in which he had been done for those in the capital. On his arribound at Tunis. He lodged in the same val, he would not make himself known, in room with the judge of a village, situated a order to escape the honours attached to the short distance from Paris. The latter, going dignity of almoner-general; a short time out early one morning, forgot to shut the after, as Vincent was walking about the cabinet wherein he had deposited his money. galleys, he perceived a slave who was in Vincent, who was about to take some medi- great despair, since, by his absence, his cine, remained in bed; the person who wife and family would be reduced to the brought him the medicine, as he was looking greatest misery. Our Saint, ashamed at the everywhere for a glass, discovered the danger in which the salvation of this unmoney, which he carried away, and which fortunate man was placed, reflected some amounted to the sum of 400 crowns. The moments how he could best alleviate the judge, upon his return, surprised at not hardness of his fate; his imagination finding his purse, forthwith made inquiries furnished no satisfactory expedient, when about it, and at last grew angry with transported by a sudden emotion of charity, Vincent, who replied that he had neither he hastened to implore the officer who was taken it, nor had he seen any one else take it. on guard, to agree that he should take the At this answer, the judge flew into a violent place of the slave; this exchange was acpassion, expelled our Saint from his society, cepted. It was some weeks before our and proclaimed him everywhere to be a Saint was discovered. The Countess de consummate villain. In a situation so very Joigny, whose director he was, surprised afflicting for a young stranger and a priest, at not receiving any intelligence about him, to whom reputation is cf great value, ordered a search to be instituted, which it Vincent lost not his peace of heart; he was difficult for Vincent to elude. A nephew preserved such perfect equanimity of mind, of the holy priest repaired from his prothat the pious persons who closely observed vince to Paris, in the hope that he should him, esteemed more than ever the singular receive great benefits from his uncle. The talent which he had of possessing his soul servant of God had come thither to in tranquility and patience. Amongst those form a congregation of missionary priests, at who admired our Ŝaint the most, was num- the College of Les Bons Enfants. He was bered Later the very judge who had in his room, when he was told that a peatreated him with so much cruelty. The sant was below, who said that he was his thief, who also was in the neighbourhood nephew, and who wished to speak with him. of Bourdeaux, when he was arrested for a At first, his natural feelings overpowered fresh crime, oppressed by remorse of con- him, and he requested one of his priests to science, besought the judge whom he knew go and receive this relation; but, immeto be the lawful possessor of the purse, to diately overcoming himself, he descended repair to Vincent, and, confessing his guilt, into the street, where his nephew was standpromised to make entire restitution. The ing, embraced him with tenderness, took magistrate then felt how very unworthy had him by the hand, and led him into the been his conduct towards Vincent, whom he court, where, summoning his clergy, he told conjured to send by letter his forgiveness, at them this man was the most honourable of the same time declaring, if this was refused, his family. He even introduced this poor he would come from Paris, and cast himself relation to all persons of quality, who came at the feet of our Saint, and, with a halter to see him. This young man who, on his round his neck, implore pardon for the arrival at Paris, believed that his fortune affront: the holy priest spared him so was made, was much disappointed in his humiliating a journey. Vincent, animated expectations. His uncle sent him home on by an ardent zeal for the salvation of the foot, as he came, giving him only ten crowns galley slaves, obtained permission from the to pay his expenses, and these he begged general of the galleys, that those slaves from the Marquis de Maignetai. This was who were shut up in the different prisons of the only occasion on which he requested the capital, might be re-assembled in a any assistance for his family. About sevenhouse situated in the faubourg St. Honorie. teen years had elapsed since Vincent first There he often visited them, and spoke to established confraternities of charity for them concerning God, with much gentleness poor invalids. These associations having and energy. His zeal was crowned with the spread into towns, many ladies of rank, felt most happy results, and he had the consola- a desire to join them; some, because they tion of seeing men who, for a long term of were fashionable; others, from purer moyears, had lived in forgetfulness of God, tives. But, as their husbands feared the approach the holy Sacraments with fervour, influence of bad air upon their health, their love, and gratitude. In 1619, being nomi- zeal began to abate. It was then necessary nated almoner-general of all the galleys in to have recourse to domestic servants, the the kingdom, our Saint, the ensuing year, greater part of whom, evincing neither affec

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