Zeal.
The Excellency of Zeal.
Love for the Body should be coupled with Love for the Soul.
The Zeal of the Wicked.
How Zeal should be exercised.
Associations of Apprentices, of Operatives.
Conferences of Saint Vincent de Paul, of Domestics,
of Clerks, of the Young.
Circulation of good Books.
Happy results of the same.
The Advantages and Difficulties of Opposition.
Great Occasions.
There is a sentiment which should sustain us, and infuse life
into all that has been above set forth; into our studies, our
composition, and into the Divine word: namely, Zeal. Zeal is
power, joy, happiness, expectation, reward and salvation, to the
priest and to humanity generally.
We need not stop to prove the necessity of zeal. ... It is
enjoined on all men:--_Unicuique mandavit Dominus de proximo
suo_. ... Is a priest who is without zeal a priest at all? Is not
such an one rather a mere man? He is placed here solely to keep
up the sacred fire which the Lord Jesus brought down to earth;
and what must a cold and insensible priest be nowadays in the
midst of those who are perishing through the vices which fret and
consume them? He is an almost inconceivable contradiction. ...
{288}
One of the glories of Christianity is its zeal in ministering to
the wants of the body: a charitable service, wherein the priest
takes a conspicuous part. But of what avail is it to succor the
body, if the soul is neglected? Of what use is it to go forth
proclaiming charity! charity! if the soul, the most sensitive and
suffering part of mankind, is abandoned to endless misery? Who
can fail to be touched with compassion at the sight of so many
poor creatures who drudge and wear themselves out, who go and
come, who endure and curse, unconsoled and hopeless?
The greater part of them, notwithstanding, are not vicious. Some
are ignorant, others are led astray; ... many waver between the
good and the bad, only waiting for a kindly word to be addressed
to them; for an outstretched hand; for some great stream of good
to pass by them, and carry them away in its current. How gladly
would they follow it! Well, be it ours to create such currents of
truth and virtue; be it ours to confront human errors and
passions, and to arrest their onward progress.
I fancy that we stick too closely to our own snug corners, and to
our own ideas. Yes, we stand apart! ... and, regarding the
world's progress from thence, we naturally find that it goes on
most unsatisfactorily.
{289}
Very likely: ... we suffer it to be led by evil passions; ...
whereas we should take our stand in the breach as Moses did;
confront the invading vices and lusts, come to a hand-to-hand
struggle with them, and cry out to them with the mighty voice of
God:--"Stop! stop! you shall not carry away these souls, for they
are not yours, but Christ's; He has bought them, and redeemed
them with his blood!" ... If such courage, such resolution, such
vigor as this was more common amongst us, the aspect of the world
would speedily be changed. But, alas! our good qualities are
feeble; we have lost the power to will; we allow ourselves to be
carried away in the stream. What is wanted nowadays to direct the
world is not knowledge so much as it is _will_. ... Where,
indeed, are we to look for men with a will? ...
If we needed any additional consideration to stimulate our zeal,
we might say to ourselves:--"Let us observe the world; let us see
how the wicked act." The wicked, indeed, afford us Christians
some most humiliating and painful lessons, enough to make us hide
our faces from very shame; so much so, that we can wish nothing
better than that the best amongst us might possess that zeal for
what is good which the wicked evince for what is evil.
{290}
We censure the wicked, and are right in doing so; but let us at
any rate do them this justice, that they are adepts in their
profession: ... they profess their opinions boldly; ... they are
zealous and active; ... they are energetic, and ready to
sacrifice every thing, repose, money, liberty, even life itself.
... Then, how adroit they are! how expert in making themselves
great with the great, and little with the little! A pernicious
book appears ... forthwith it is put into an attractive shape and
embellished with fine engravings ... There it is, to suit the
rich and the drawing-room. ...
Next, an ordinary edition at a moderate cost is prepared for the
middle classes, for reading-rooms, and for the counter; and then
a popular edition--copies to be had at four sous each--for the
workshop and the cottage. A man recently converted, avowed that
he had contributed in three years no less a sum than 30,000
francs in the dissemination of such books. And we! ... we
Christians, who know the worth of men's souls, whose duty it is
to save them, rest satisfied with a few slender efforts, directed
often by mere routine! Shall we continue any longer inactive at
the sight of the torrents of vice and error which are hurrying
our brothers on to the abyss? Would that be to have faith? Would
that be to have charity? Would that be to love God and our
neighbor? ...
But how should this zeal be carried out into practice? That is
the important question. ...
In the first place, associations should be formed. In these days
we cannot dispense with them.
{291}
Society must be taken up in detail, ameliorated part by part, and
then formed into a compact structure; for a good community can
only be composed of good elements. These objects may be attained
through the medium of associations. There should be such for all
ages: associations of children, of apprentices, of operatives, of
Saint Vincent de Paul, of the _Sainte Famille_, [Footnote 21]
etc. They benefit all, the members and the directors also.
[Footnote 21: See the _Manuel de Charité_, and the
_Livre des Classes Ouvrières_ for the details and manner
of establishing and conducting these associations.]
How comes it that there are not associations of young apprentices
in all the towns of France? How comes it that any town dares to
be without one? What strange beings we are sometimes! We surround
children with the most tender and assiduous care up to the time
of confirmation, and then, at the most critical age, when their
passions begin to cross them, we launch them forth, without
support and without counterpoise, into that pestilential
atmosphere called the workshop; and then we wonder, and say
naively that they do not persevere in the right path.
... Pray, can they be expected to persevere when thus left to
their own resources? ... You, with all your religious knowledge,
with all your acquired virtues, with all your experience and age,
would you do so in their place? I defy you to persevere under
such circumstances.
{292}
An affiliated society of Saint Vincent de Paul should exist
everywhere, even in the most retired corner of France. It already
comprises five hundred conferences. They have been founded in the
country, where they do a vast amount of good. No town or village,
at least, should be without its conference. It is sometimes urged
that the elements are wanting. That must be a wretched town or
hamlet which can not muster three God-fearing and charitably
disposed individuals.
Moreover, no town should be without its association of
operatives. There can no longer be any excuse on this head. They
exist elsewhere, are in active operation, and effect much good in
many places. The way to form and direct them is well known. We
have our associations of girls and grown-up women; but the men,
the poor men, are overlooked, neglected, and cast aside. ...
Lastly, we should have an association of the _Saint Famille_--an
association for the poor.
The poor are so miserable as they are owing to the ignorance and
moral abandonment in which they live. ... An association tends to
enlighten, to support, to elevate them; as also to bring charity
into play. Let no one tell us that he lacks time for this object.
{293}
Time is given you especially for the service of the poor; your
first duty is to evangelize the poor. ... On the other hand, are
you anxious to benefit the rich, to touch their hearts, to gain
their confidence, or even to secure their adoration--I say, is
such your desire? If so, busy yourselves on behalf of the poor,
devote yourselves to the service of the poor, be popular in a
holy sense; then, instead of vegetating in the midst of your fine
phrases and isolation, you will live in the fulness of life. You
will see around you outstretched hands, willing hearts, and open
purses, and will hear many a voice applauding and cheering you
with a cordial "Well done! take courage!" You will be driven to
humble yourself before God, saying: "Depart from me, for I am a
sinful man, O Lord."
Yes, let us be just toward the wealthy classes, toward the world
generally, and even toward those who do not practise religion at
all. Whenever they fall in with a priest who is friendly to the
poor, they are ready to pay him a large tribute of respect and
veneration; and nothing so much resembles love toward God as the
love which is shown toward one of His ministers.
Other associations might also be formed with advantage. For
example, in towns, a servants association; but as humility is not
one of our virtues, either among high or low, it might be called
the Household Association.
{294}
It might meet on Sunday--say once a month--and one would have an
opportunity of telling that class a host of truths which could
not well be spoken elsewhere; and these poor people, who are more
and more disposed to treat their masters as enemies, might be set
right. It is much to be regretted that a hostile party is being
formed in families; which, under certain circumstances, might
prove highly dangerous. On the other hand, all the fault does not
come from below. Nothing now but interest binds the master to his
servant, and servants attach themselves to those who give the
highest wages. As to probity, fidelity, and discretion, where are
they to be found? ... Masters are not only robbed, they are
outraged.
Further, a mothers' association. The duties of a mother, more
especially among the lower classes, are very arduous. She
requires to be enlightened, encouraged, stirred up, and perhaps
rebuked. Such an association would afford eligible opportunities
for telling them many things which could not be appropriately
delivered before a mixed assembly. It is a great misfortune for a
family when the husband forgets himself and his duties; but when
the wife gives way, all is lost. Is she not, indeed, the guardian
of religion and virtue at the domestic hearth? The attempt thus
suggested has been made at Bordeaux and elsewhere with perfect
success. [Footnote 22]
[Footnote 22: See the _Manuel de Charité_.]
{295}
There are two other associations which should by all means be
established in large towns: namely, an association of young
clerks, and an association of those young persons who are called
shop-girls or girls of the counter. These two classes are most
shamefully neglected; hence their morality is generally _nil_ ...
and from the large towns they go to the smaller towns, and into
the larger villages, where they help to form that egotistical,
sensual, _Voltairian_, excitable, and vain shop-class, ever ready
to disseminate the vicious lessons which they have acquired.
It would be easy to form these associations. There would be no
difficulty as regards the young females. With respect to the men,
all that is required is a good nucleus; which would soon be
increased by those who are at a distance from their homes.
Families are often pained at being obliged to launch a young man
alone into a great city, and would feel much happier on learning
that there would be some to protect him against being led astray,
and who would help him on in his new career. Almost all the young
people who come up from the country are Christians up to the time
of leaving their homes. Some genial title might be given to the
association, which would make it attractive.
Another great field for the exercise of zeal is the diffusion of
good books. [Footnote 23]
[Footnote 23: See the _Manuel de Charité_
under the chapter headed _Les Bibliothèques_.]
{296}
This kind of ministration has not been adequately or generally
appreciated hitherto. The ministry of the word, which is
proclaimed in our churches, is recognized; but that of the word
which, in the guise of a good book, goes and sits down at the
domestic hearth, is not understood as it should be.
We are, however, making some progress in this respect; and I
trust that the magnitude of existing evils may stir us up to
greater activity, and that after being thoroughly beaten we shall
rise up again as becomes Christians.
The Christian of the present day is not constitutionally brave;
he is rather timid, is subject to a number of little infirmities,
and does all he can to reconcile duty with interest. But when he
perceives that he has been wronged, when he is driven to
extremes, he falls back upon himself, recovers his strength, and
stands up for the faith. Then he is grand and bold; then he
defends himself, resists, assails, and triumphs even in death.
The time has come for us to avail ourselves of that tremendous
engine which Providence has introduced into the world for good
and for evil. Has not the Press injured us enough already? Has it
not already thrown blood and scum enough at humanity and
religion? Are not the two hundred millions of pernicious books
scattered throughout France enough? Is not the world sufficiently
estranged from the Church already? What do we wait for?
{297}
A powerful means of doing good is here placed within our reach.
Don't be deceived; almost every body reads nowadays. Mistakes,
however, are frequently made on that score.
A preacher gives a _retreat_ [Footnote 24] in a country district,
and is told by the curé that his people do not read. As the
exercises progress, heaps of books are forth coming of so
abominable a description that the like are not to be found in the
purlieus of Paris--books the very titles of which are an outrage
on public morality.
[Footnote 24: A series of special religious services. ED.]
Let us here recall to mind what has already been stated, that
there are now in France from eighteen to twenty millions more
persons able to read than there were at the end of the eighteenth
century.
But it is urged that good books are not read.--_That_ in a great
measure depends on the quality of the books.
Further, that after reading them, men are just the same as they
were. Not always; and who can tell but that some thought has
taken root in their minds which in time will bear fruit? There
are books which have wrought many conversions; which in the
course of a few years have reclaimed more individuals than our
most celebrated preachers have converted during their lives.
{298}
I may instance one which is universally known, which has been and
still is the angel of good to many perishing sinners; yes, and
such sinners too! such men! You have already guessed the title of
the book alluded to--it is the _Etudes Philosophiques_ by M.
Nicholas. [Footnote 25]
[Footnote 25: A person holding a high position wrote to the
author of the above-named work as follows:--"From being
wholly indifferent to religion, you have made me, in a
fortnight, a fervent Christian, one sincerely repentant, and
firmly determined to lead a holy life." ... Another addressed
him thus:--"I owe a great share of my restoration to your
book, which I shall try and induce all my relations and
friends to read."]
Sober town curés have expressed to us their belief that they have
effected more good among their people by means of their
libraries, than by their sermons and all the other resources of
the ministry combined.
But these books should be selected with great care: nevertheless,
very little attention is bestowed on that point. How strange! One
takes great pains about a sermon, which will be heard at most by
a few hundreds of individuals, and no care is exercised in the
selection of a book which will go to speak of God to the
thousands who do not frequent the Church! At the yearly
distribution of prizes in France, twelve hundred thousand volumes
are given gratuitously to respectable schools.
{299}
What a vast amount of good might be done through that channel, if
the books were well chosen! What a mass of profitable reading
might be introduced thereby among families! But as it is, the
works are taken up at random. A book receives a bishop's
approval; which is deemed amply sufficient to warrant its
adoption. It may be barren of ideas, tiresome, nothing more than
a bad religious romance; it may even be dangerous: no matter, it
is given away, notwithstanding all those defects. But what is
passing strange is the fact that this is done by men who have a
religious vocation, who are otherwise most distinguished, and who
are intrusted with the education of the children of the upper
classes. It would seem, indeed, as if we were bent on verifying
the assertion of our adversaries, that the pious possess no other
than a contemptible and humdrum literature.
It would be an act of intelligent zeal to remedy these
aberrations.
Lastly, another way of promoting the diffusion of good books is
to give men a personal interest in the undertaking. Authors and
publishers should be amply commended and remunerated for their
coöperation; and the trade--if you choose to call it so--made
subservient to the good work. Let those, also, who sell such
books make large profits by the sale. Generally speaking, success
is not best attained by acting alone, but by securing and
availing ourselves of the assistance of others. We often make too
much fuss about our proceedings, and should effect twice as much
if we fussed one half less.
{300}
But it will be urged:--"Such associations cannot be formed
without self-sacrifice and money; besides, they will encounter
opposition." Undoubtedly they will; and so much the better.
Opposition and calumny are the rod which God uses to drive us
onward. ... If there be opposition, then there will be courage
too; and many other noble qualities will be elicited. Is it so, I
ask, that we are called to "vulgarly follow the masses?" ...
There is a class of well-disposed people, who appear to have no
misgivings as to what Christianity is, who, nevertheless, give
expression to their supineness with a charming naïveté. You
propose some good work to them; they reply at once: "Excuse me;
there will be obstacles in the way; the time has not yet come for
such things; and, moreover, I should not like to put myself
forward in matters of that kind, for it might place me in an
awkward position." One feels tempted on these occasions to ask
the apologist:--"Are you a Christian?" You may do so, and the
ready reply will be:--"Yes, by the grace of God."
What, then, do you understand by being a Christian?
One who believes in the doctrine of Christ, has been baptized.
...
{301}
Now, listen to what the doctrine of Christ is: Blessed are they
who are persecuted. Blessed are ye when men shall revile
you,--when they shall drag you before the rulers of the people.
...
I think there is a prevailing tendency to regard those texts of
Holy Writ which embarrass us as mere rhetorical figures.
Men talk of the possibility of being placed in a false
position--that the time has not come--that there will be
opposition, etc. In like manner, when Christ sent His apostles to
convert the world, might they not also have said:--"But, Lord,
the world is not prepared; it is still so insensible. Besides, we
shall encounter opposition?" ... Or, when their shoulders were
beaten with rods, might they not have felt justified in saying:--
"Let us return to our own quiet life, for this only brings us
into difficulties."
Is not a priest's life essentially a militant life? Is not the
priest a soldier? What would be said, what would be thought of a
soldier who, on hearing the alarm, the enemy! to arms! should
coolly reply:--"Stop, there will be opposition; the enemy will
resist and assail us with musketry and artillery?" There would
only be one name for such a soldier in France--he would be called
a coward.
{302}
But no such soldier is to be found amongst us; on the contrary,
at the bare thought of opposition and resistance to be
encountered, his courage rises, his heart leaps, he runs, he
strikes, he conquers, or he dies a glorious death. That is what a
priest ought to be; ... better still; he should feel that he is
safe beneath the power of the Almighty; and be like a general who
maintains perfect calm while shot, shell, and death, are flying
around him in every direction.
Good God! what have we to do with peace? Peace will never be
yours. ... Talk of peace to men who are conquerors! ... Was it
not said in a celebrated harangue:--"We are the first soldiers
... and yet they come to talk to us of peace!" The priest is a
jeopardized, a sacrificed man, dead to the life of this world, to
whom it has been said:--"Go and defend such a post, and die to
save, not an army, but humanity." Be assured, then, that you will
never have peace, because human passions will eternally war
against you.
We have borrowed two things from the present age--and those by no
means the best of what it possesses--which do us a vast amount of
injury. The first is, a profound weakness of character, which
prefers a petty, vulgar, and rather sensual existence, disposing
us to lead the life of a retired tradesman. The second is a
tendency to _officialism_. We blame that tendency in others; but
are we not somewhat bureaucratic ourselves? We consider those
among us to be great men who are what is called good
administrators.
{303}
The accessory has usurped the place of principal. Administration
is every thing: in certain localities it stifles the sacred
ministry. If Saint Paul himself were to return to earth, he would
hardly be deemed fit to be the curé of a canton, unless he was
judged to be well versed in administration.
Yet when Christ placed Saint Peter at the head of His Church, he
did not put the question to him:--"Canst thou administer well?"
but, "Lovest thou Me? lovest thou Me? Art thou quite sure that
thou lovest Me?"--that is, Dost thou know how to save the souls
of men? how to devote thyself, how to die for their sakes?
This brings us back again to the subject of zeal. There are many
earnest-minded priests in France--most admirable men in every
respect. Among the laity also, there is no lack of zeal,
devotion, and the spirit of self-sacrifice ... A Christian who
has no zeal is not tolerated: in fact, there is much more of it
than is generally supposed.
Now, something like this frequently happens:--On going to a town
which has hitherto exhibited no signs of zeal, you ask the
priest:--"How comes it that you have no associations, no society
of apprentices, of operatives, or of the _Sainte Famille?_ What
are you about? It is a shame!" ... He will reply:--"How can I
help it? I have no colleagues, and no laymen are available.
{304}
Besides, our people do not like to be drawn out of their old
habits: it is not with us as it is elsewhere." ... You then make
the same observations to the laymen, and they immediately
answer:--"Pray, don't mention it, for it is not our fault. We
should like nothing better; but we have no priests to take the
lead, and to tell us how to act. Our priests are excellent men in
their way, but _they cannot step out of their routine_."
It should be our endeavor, therefore, to bring priests and laymen
together; then there will be a mutual understanding between them,
and both will heartily coöperate in doing good.
For, at any cost, we must save souls. That is our duty, our joy,
our crown, that whereon our whole future depends; and what is
said of men of the world, who have made a false step in life,
will be said of the priest who fails in that respect--he has lost
his chance.
We should take advantage of every opportunity to benefit the
souls of men; to enlighten, to reclaim, to reconcile them. A
confirmation, for example, associated as it is with so many sweet
and sad reminiscences, offers a most eligible occasion for such
efforts. But beware of all vulgar vituperation of unbelievers, or
of the parents. They are on the look-out for such tirades, and
have already hardened their hearts and their faces against them.
Rather aim at their hearts, where they least expect an attack,
and where they are not prepared to resist you.
{305}
After stating that God will require a strict account of parents
for the manner in which their children have been brought up, turn
at once to the parents and say:--
"Do not be alarmed, for I am not going to reproach you. I would
not disturb your present happiness. I would not detract one iota
from your gratification. Enjoy it thoroughly, for you have a
right to it; it is but a slender recompense for all your pains.
Look at your children, they are happy, and they owe their
happiness to religion. No, I cannot bring myself to utter any
thing which might trouble you on this occasion; for it must have
cost you pain enough already to see your children go alone to the
holy table, absolutely like orphans, while you yourselves stand
apart, and are driven to say:--'Yes, my child is worthy to be
there, but I am not. ... I say, such a reflection as this must
have caused you intense sorrow.
"Nevertheless, you are not so much estranged from religion as you
may think: God is not far from you. One always loves his child's
friend, and your child's best friend is God. ... Can you repel
religion, can you repulse God himself, whom we are about to send
to you this evening in the angelic form of a dearly loved child?
Draw near then to the Gospel ... carry away with you, at least,
some pious sentiment, some wholesome regret, some incipient
desire after that which is good." ... Adopt some such strain as
this, and your words will not be in vain.
{306}
Similar efforts might be made on the termination of the special
services for Lent and the great ecclesiastical seasons, and on
other extraordinary occasions also. After congratulating those
who have profited by the means of grace, be careful to abstain
from upbraiding or denouncing those who have abused them. Such a
course is low and vulgar, and does much harm. On the contrary, do
all you can to encourage and touch the hearts of all. I may
suggest the following. Say what a pious and zealous _religieux_
once said to his audience, at the end of a home mission:--
"Brethren, I am going to tell you an anecdote. It is not true,
for the details are impossible. It is merely a parable.
"It is alleged that there is a country near the north pole, where
it is so cold that words are frozen as they issue from the lips.
If two men placed apart at a certain distance attempt to
converse, they do not hear one another, for their words freeze in
the air. But when spring comes, then their words are heard.
"Brethren, it is cold too and icy round your souls, and our words
freeze; but when spring comes, when God's sun shall shine, then
these our words will thaw and penetrate into your hearts, even
though it be not till the hour of death."
{307}
Thus, let there be an outburst of love and kindliness toward
those who have been edified by the means of grace, and a still
larger and more affectionate appeal to those who seemingly have
not profited thereby.--"What shall I say to you? Shall I address
you in the language of severity? I might claim the right to do so
in God's name; but certainly I have no desire to avail myself of
that prerogative. I prefer holding out a hand to you; I prefer
pitying, commiserating your misfortune. It would have been
delightful for me to have been the instrument of your salvation;
but you would not let me save you. Doubtless, God has not judged
me worthy; although my mission here embraced you also. ...
Another, I trust, will be more successful. ... Be assured that I
entertain no ill-will toward you: I do not denounce you; on the
contrary, I shall ever pray for you.
"Draw a little nearer toward religion. In your calmer moments you
sometimes say:--'I do not wish to die without the consolations of
religion. Were I to fall sick, I should send for a priest. Well,
then, dispose yourself to return to the right path: curb your
passions, and break off those habits which poison your existence.
Above all, do not be a stumbling-block to your children.
{308}
How often, as you well know, alas! are fathers the ruin of their
offspring. Therefore have pity on your children, and on your
wives also; for I whisper it to you that you are said to be
sometimes harsh toward them. Ah, the poor wives! such treatment
must be very painful to them: they who have already suffered and
endured so much."
That is the way to appeal to the hearts of men! Such are the joys
of the sacred ministry! They are the only joys vouchsafed to us:
and yet can we dare to complain? Are they not the most delectable
joys which earth can afford? To have committed to him the souls
of poor sinners to save, to love, and to bless; to be charged
with condescending toward his erring brethren; gathering them in
his arms amidst the miseries and sufferings of this life, and of
leading them to the truth, to virtue, and to heaven, is not this
the sweetest enjoyment which a priest's heart can desire? Was it
not to that end that he bade adieu to the world and left his
father and his mother in tears? ... O holy joys of the sacred
ministry, how little are they known and felt by any of us! It is
painful, doubtless, to have to stir up sin-sick souls; but when
at the cost of much self-sacrifice we are able to benefit but one
such soul, with what overflowing gratitude shall we thank God,
and say:
"May All My Days Be Like This Day!"
--------
{309}
Books Published By The
Catholic Publication Society.
The Life And Sermons Of The Rev. Francis A. Baker,
Priest of the Congregation of St. Paul, Edited
by Rev. F. A. Hewit. One volume, crown octavo, pp. 504, $2.50
Extracts From Notices Of The Press.
"Father Baker was a lovely boy, a wise and thoughtful youth,
and a devout servant of Christ. The son of a Methodist, the
graduate of a Presbyterian college, he became first an
Episcopal clergyman, and then a Catholic priest. In all these
changes, he everywhere won love; and whatever were the
peculiarities of his character, he was a sincerely good and
thoroughly pure man, and deserved the tribute which this
remarkably appreciative and tender biography pays him."--
--_New-York Watchman_.
"After Newman's Apologia and Robertson's 'Life', the memoir
contained in this volume is perhaps the most respectable
clerical biography that we have met for a long time. We
recommend such persons as have already attained to settled
principles, and who may have an opportunity, to give the Memoir
itself a thorough perusal. It is rich in personal
reminiscences. It is, at the same time, like the 'Apologia',
both an argument and a biography."
--_Christian Times_.
"Father Hewit's biography of his deceased friend is a most
noticeable piece of writing. It is as impartial as could be
expected, and has a marked local interest from its allusions to
local affairs in religious circles. A great part of it is
occupied with an elaborate view of the Oxford, or, as it is
familiarly called here, the Puseyite movement, and of its
effect on this country. The conversion of Bishop Ives, the
remarkable scenes at the ordination of Rev. Arthur Carey, the
movement toward a Protestant Oriental bishopric at
Constantinople, in which Bishop Southgate was engaged, and
various other features in recent church history, all are
described, rendering the biography of marked interest to
Episcopalians as well as to Catholics; while the history of
Father Baker is a curious study of the operation of religious
belief on a young, vigorous, and active mind."
--_New-York Evening Post_.
{310}
"The portrait which forms the frontispiece to this volume
appears to represent one of the contemplative, saintly,
seraphic spirits of the early ages of Christianity, rather than
a man whose life was cast amid the bustle and activity and
worldly-mindedness of the nineteenth century. The impression is
confirmed by the perusal of the memoir. It introduces us to a
type of character which is rare in these days, and reminds us
of a strain of mediaeval music. ... The sermons are remarkable
for the earnestness of their spirit, the simple and vigorous
eloquence of their style, and their frequent beauty of
conception and illustration. The biography, by his bosom friend
and companion, is an athletic piece of composition,
controversial and aggressive in its tone, abounding in personal
episodes, and presenting a spirited and impressive sketch of
the movement in which both the author and the subject have been
prominent actors. The volume, of course, possesses a paramount
interest for Catholic readers, but it forms too remarkable an
illustration of some important features in the religious
tendencies of the day not to challenge a wide attention from
intelligent observers."
--_New-York Tribune_.
"This is the very best edition, as regards typographical skill,
that has as yet been issued of any Catholic work in this
country."
--_Boston Pilot_.
"His sermons are brief, addressed to the common heart and
reason of his hearers, and remarkably free from clerical
assumptions of authority. The sermon on The Duty of Growing in
Christian Knowledge is liberal and philosophical to a degree
not usual in the pulpits of any denomination."
--_New-York Nation_.
------
II.
The Works Of The Most Rev. John Hughes, D.D.,
First Archbishop of New-York, containing Biography, Sermons, Letters,
Lectures, Speeches, etc. Carefully Compiled from the Best Sources,
and Edited by Lawrence Kehoe.
This important work makes two large volumes of nearly 1500 pages.
The editor has spared neither labor nor expense to have it as
correct and as complete as it is possible to make a work of the
kind. The prominent position occupied for so many years by
Archbishop Hughes makes this a highly important work; his views
on all the general questions of the day so eagerly read at the
time--are here collected and presented to the Catholic public in
two elegant volumes, which are indispensable to every library of
American Catholic Literature.
_Price, Cheap Edition._
Two volumes, 8vo, cloth, $6.00
_Fine Edition, On Extra Paper._
Two volumes, cloth, bevelled, $8.00
Two volumes, half morocco, bevelled, $10.00
Two volumes, half calf, extra, $12.00
{311}
Extracts From Notices Of The Press.
"Opening these volumes, the first thing that strikes us is the
vast energy, the indomitable resolution, the all-embracing zeal
of this great prelate. No subject affecting the interests of
Catholics was beneath his notice. The collection of such a vast
pile of materials is in itself an arduous and laborious task,
and when collected the arrangement and collation of the
documents were a work of time and trouble, requiring both
judgment and discrimination; both these qualities are apparent
in the contents of the two large volumes before us."
--_New-York Tablet_.
"The editor deserves great credit for the care, industry, and
taste with which he prepared his work."
_Baltimore Catholic Mirror_.
"This is one of the most carefully prepared, as well as most
interesting, contributions to American and Catholic history."
--_Boston Pilot_.
"Every Catholic should provide himself with a copy of the
works, because they are the history, almost, of the Church in
her infancy in the Eastern States."
--_Cincinnati Catholic Telegraph_.
"Take him all in all, Archbishop Hughes was the greatest man
that the Catholic Church has yet produced in this country, and
his writings must have a deep interest for all the members of
his communion."
--_Chicago Republican_.
"There is a fund of instruction in his writings alike to the
Christian and the worldling, the Protestant and the Catholic."
--_Daily News_.
"The work of the editor appears to have been done in a manner
worthy of the highest commendation."
--_Pittsburg Catholic._
"Every Catholic household should have the work."
--_Irish American_.
"This work gives his speeches and discourses in full. These
will be sought for by multitudes of his admirers."
--_New-York Freeman's Journal_.
--------
III.
Sermons of the Paulist Fathers, for 1865 and 1866.
Price, $1.50
Extracts From Notices Of The Press.
"They are good examples of practical, earnest, pungent
preaching. ... Others besides Catholics may be stimulated by
these discourses, and some Protestant preachers we have heard
might learn how to talk plainly to the heart and conscience of
men."
--_Round Table_.
"These sermons are dictated with a conviction of mind and
earnestness of heart that the hearer and the reader are carried
away while reading or listening to them, which, after all, is
the triumph of eloquence."
--_Boston Pilot_.
"These sermons, like those which preceded them, are sound,
practical, and able productions."
--_Catholic Mirror_.
"They are adapted to the wants of our age and country, and
consequently must elevate the standard of morality whenever
they can secure the attention of a reader."
--_Pittsburg Catholic_.
"Here are twenty-one Catholic sermons in various degrees of
excellence, nearly all of which are so thoroughly and truly
catholic in the widest sense of the term, that they will be
read with pleasure by Protestants, as well as by members of the
communion to which they are carefully addressed."
--_New-York Citizen_,
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IV.
May Carols and Hymns and Poems.
By Aubrey De Vere. Blue and gold, . . . $1.25
--------
V.
Christine, and Other Poems.
By George H. Miles. Price, $2.00
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VI.
Dr. Newman's Answer To Dr. Pusey's Eirenicon.
Paper, $0.75
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VII.
Three Phases of Christian Love:
The Mother, The Maiden, and The Religious.
By Lady Herbert.
One volume, 12mo, $1.50
Extracts From Notices Of The Press.
"The author writes in a spirit and style worthy of the sacred
subjects of her pen. It is a book that should be in the hands
of every Catholic, and one which Protestants might read with
benefit to themselves, and without having their prejudices
rudely assailed. Mr. Kehoe has issued the volume in admirable
taste. Its mechanical execution is without a flaw."
--_Citizen_.
"We hail this work as a great acquisition to our Catholic
literature, and recommend it to the attention of all. It is
just the book that ought to be placed in the hands of Catholic
ladies. The publisher deserves great credit for the beautiful
type, paper, and binding, which make this book equal in taste
and elegance to any published in this country."
--_Pittsburg Catholic_.
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VIII.
Aspirations of Nature.
By Rev. I. T. Hecker.
Fourth edition, revised, cloth, extra, ... $1.50