be performed by the Lutheran minister, and the Catholic party is required to sign a certificate, that he will raise the children in the Protestant faith, and prevent his spouse from becoming a Catholic, in case she should desire to embrace the ancient faith. The priest is forbidden to receive any Lutheran into the Catholic Church. At the end of the year, he must present to the civil magistrate a list of the marriages, births, and deaths.

Such is the substance of the decree in favor of the Catholics of Norway. It is, no doubt, the harbinger of future good. As in Norway and Sweden the hierarchy has been preserved, we may hope that this emancipation of the Catholic Church, will be attended by benefits no less conspicuous than those which are daily developed in England. Already one minister of distinguished talents in Sweden has lately inculcated the insufficiency of the Bible alone as the rule of Faith, but he drew upon himself the hatred of the established church.

A Swedish journal observes that Rev. Mr. Palmer, of Oxford, was expected at Stockholm. The object of his visit, it is conjectured, is to persuade the Lutheran church of Sweden and Norway to embrace the principles of Oxford, and to form a union with the church of England. As yet we are to learn the success he has met with.

THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.-We have had handed to us a letter from the Rev. Mr. Walsh, one of the persecuted priests of the Sandwich Islands, dated at Kanai Koloa, 1843, from which we make the following extracts:

"The number of image worshippers (so the misnamed orthodox missionaries of New England, in the plenitude of their zeal, are pleased to term us) in this Archipelago is about ten thousand, and I confidently trust, that ere long, the members of our holy religion here will double that number. Yes, truth must prevail, and cant and bigotry, which have for several years reigned triumphant in these islands, must necessarily yield to the superior power of that Church which is the pillar and ground of truth.'

You will confer additional favors on our mission if you could send a few good controversial books. Milner's End of Controversy has already, with God's grace, made some converts from Protestantism amongst our foreign residents, but I have only one copy of that admirable work, which I lend to those whom I find inclined sincerely to seek after truth."-Bost. Pilot. THE REV. FATHER DE SMET ABROAD.-We translate the annexed interesting paragraph, in regard to this excellent man, from the Paris L'Ami de la Religion of the 9th September.

"The Rev. Father de Smet who left this city for Rome on the 10th of August, returned some days since. His journey was marked by an incident worth noting.

"Going down the Rhone, on the 11th of August, in the steamboat which runs between Lyons and Avignon, a young man with his head full of the notions of MM. Michelet and Quinet undertook to repeat the usual invectives of these gentlemen against the Jesuits. A bystander, who appeared to be about forty-five years of age, stout and apparently a Belgian, grave and modest in his demeanor, was among the few who preserved silence. At length, addressing himself to the young declaimer, he said with a winning mildness of tone and manner: My friend, 1 am a Jesuit. [At this avowal all eyes were turned upon the speaker.] I have been one for three and twenty years, and if there were one word of truth in all you have just said, I should never have been so long a member of the order; on the contrary, I should quit it at once. [Here there was a general and strong sensation among the passengers, who came crowding round, from all parts of the boat.] Your tirade was a tissue of misstatements. If such are the sentiments which the university puts into the mouths of her students, no wonder that all France is fast becoming disgusted with the university monopoly, no wonder that she is demanding, together with the freedom of teaching, the right of religious education, and that the Jesuits begin to be so generally chosen by parents, as they have been already by the many families who send their children to the colleges of Fribourg, of Brugelette, and other similar establishments. These institutions, spacious as they are, can scarcely accommodate the pupils who flock to them from all quarters; so that the question is becoming to the university one of money and profit and loss; nothing else. I am aware, gentlemen, that it is the commonest thing in the world to find the Jesuits attacked by persons who know nothing about them, and I have no doubt that this is the case in the present instance. I am, probably, the first Jesuit the most of you have ever seen.' "All the by-standers, not excepting the oldest among them, confessed very good humoredly, that it was so.

"To cover his defeat, the young man insisted that there were among the Jesuits many conspirators and political incendiaries; and quoted in proof of this the assertions of the newspapers. The good father replied, that, in the first place, if any persons of that description were discovered in the order, they were expelled forthwith, and, in the next place, that if for every falsehood as

serted by the newspapers, a handful of sand were cast into the Rhone, the boat which was at the moment making such headway, would very soon run aground.

"The laugh was now on the side of the Jesuit; a thousand apologies were offered, a thousand expressions of kindness and good-will, and every body in the crowd (which by this time included almost every passenger on board) was anxious to know who could the priest be?'

"Of course they were not long in finding out that he was Father de Smet, a Belgian Jesuit, and a missionary among the Flat Head Indians, whom he had converted. They learned also from the impressive, but simple narrative of the good father, that in the Rocky Mountains his labors had been crowned with the same magnificent results, which the philosophers of Europe could not help recognizing and admiring in the republics of Paraguay. Further details of the greatest interest respecting the North American Indians and the incredible toils of the Catholic missionaries in their efforts to convert and civilize them, soon won the admiration and respect of the whole company.

"The missionary happened to speak of a war dress of an Indian chief with all its accoutrements, &c., complete, which he was bringing as a present to the superior general of his order; and on all sides there was a most lively desire to see such a curiosity. The good father consented at once, and the captain of the boat was kind enough to have the baggage searched which contained the package. The dress had belonged to a warrior more than six feet in height, a great chief of the Black Feet, slain in battle by the Flat Heads, who presented the spoils to their missionary. Its novelty and beauty were the theme of general admiration."-Freeman's Jour.

MASSACRE OF THE NESTORIANS.-The sad tidings of the massacre of the Nestorians by the Mahommedan Pacha, in combination with the Kurdish chiefs, in the mountains near Mosul, are confirmed. The jealousy and fears of the Pacha were excited by the report of the erection of fortresses in the mountains by the Nestorians, prompted by American missionaries. Mr. Badger, sent by the bishop of London, is said to have used his influence with the Pacha to eject the Americans. The same allegation, with less semblance of truth, is made as to the French Catholic missionaries. But it is beyond all credibility that either instigated the Mahommedan to the sanguinary act. The fact seems to be that the American missionaries suggested to the mountaineers ideas of independence, which provoked the fury of the Turk, so that these poor

people have fallen victims to the missionaries; for which reason a London paper observes, that it would be happy for them, if they had never been visited by missionaries.-Catholic Herald.

AN APOSTATE PRIEST.-Rev. Henry L. Oxley, lately a Dominican friar in England, has apostatized from the Catholic faith, on account of pecuniary embarrassments, for which the convent in which he resided would not become responsible. We mention this circumstance, because the conversion of Mr. Oxley has already been noticed with apparent satisfaction by certain Protestant journals. If they can find any cause for self gratulation in the acquisition of such individuals, who were not in good repute among Catholics, and who left the Church from worldly motives, they are welcome to it. What a contrast between the conversions of the Oxford divines and other Tractarian clergymen of the Church of England, to the Catholic faith, and that of certain priests to a Protestant sect! The Spencers, the Sibthorps, the Talbots, the Smiths, made a sacrifice of many hundreds a year by becoming Catholics, and enjoyed at that time a good reputation among their friends; but the Oxleys and others that might be mentioned, have abandoned Catholicity for the loaves and fishes, to place themselves in a more comfortable position. It is easy to judge which of the two calculations is more conformable to the spirit of Christianity; for its Divine Founder has declared that his "kingdom is not of this world."

CALUMNY.-The foreign papers inform us that the pretended decree of the Inquisition at Ancona against the Jews is a fabrication. The anticatholic journals in this country have circulated the slander; it remains to be seen whether a due regard for truth and justice will lead them to retract it.

LONGEVITY.-A Carmelite nun died lately at Placencia, in Spain, aged one hundred and eight years. She lived in the reigns of Philip V, Ferdinand VI, Charles III, Charles IV, and Ferdinand VII. She also witnessed the reigns of nine Popes. She had been seventy-nine years in the cloister.-Tablet.

DOMESTIC.

ARCHDIOCESS OF BALTIMORE.-The corner stone of a new church was laid at Havre de Grace, on the 6th of October, by Rev. James Reid, pastor of St. Ignatius', near the Hickory.

DIOCESS OF BOSTON.-On Sunday the 1st of October, a church at Cabotville, Massachusetts, was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Fenwick.

THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL OF N. Y.-The assault made upon the Catholic population of

Baltimore in a late number of the above-mentioned paper, by a Philadelphia correspondent, required and would also have elicited from us a word in self-defence, had not the Catholic Herald furnished a correct statement of facts, together with some just and severe strictures upon the unmeaning production to which it replies. Whether the writer of this article were actuated by a censurable spirit or not, is a matter of no moment except to himself. His motives, let them have been what they may, are no justification of the false charges preferred against the Catholic laity of the Metropolitan city. If however he is to be exculpated from improper motives, it necessarily follows, that having undertaken to write upon a topic about which he is wofully uninformed, and having adopted a mode of delivering his lessons, which was very unwise, particularly as they were altogether uncalled for, he is taxable with ignorance and imprudence, two faults that totally disqualify him as a correspondent of the public press. Upon the writings of such men we have reason to look with suspicion.

In quoting the remarks of the Herald, we must observe that our New York cotemporary also has published them, Oct. 28th, and although he has passed rather slightly, in his prefatory observations, over the false and absurd statements of his correspondent, we consider his language an unequivocal evidence of an honorable return ad meliorem frugem.

"Baltimore and Philadelphia.-The last number of the New York Freeman's Journal contains an extremely silly and mischievous letter from a Philadelphia correspondent, who most unjustly satirizes Baltimore and its respectable Catholic laity. To those who know that city, the injustice is manifest. The College of St. Mary, the Convents of the Visitation and of Mount Carmel, the Hospital and Infirmary, the House of the Colored Oblates, are institutions which prove Baltimore to be far ahead of our city in Catholic establishments. The number of churches erected during the administration of the present venerated metropolitan, is considerable, and several are in progress of erection. St. Peter's, which is being built, will, we are informed, be a splendid edifice, and St. John's of the Redemptorists is a magnificent Gothic structure. The progress of our holy religion there is most consoling, and such as might well be expected from the edifying piety and untiring zeal of her clergy. The seminary is a tower of strength for the Catholic religion, under the direction of a venerable body of ecclesiastics, which has furnished our hierarchy with its brightest orna

ments, besides forming to the sacred ministry a large portion of those who exercise it. The parochial clergy emulate their zeal, and the piety of the faithful is promoted by spiritual retreats given in the Metropolitan church, and in St. Vincent's and elsewhere. Of the generosity of the laity we need no other evidence than the number of churches erected, or in progress of erection, and the various institutions fostered and sustained. Numerous conversions to our faith have also taken place. These, and other undeniable facts, which we omit, prove that the progress of religion has been great, especially during the administration of the present archbishop, who has introduced into the diocess the zealous congregation of the Holy Redeemer, and has adopted measures for establishing the brothers of the Christian schools, besides extending to the city religious institutions previously established in other parts. In all that is Catholic, Baltimore is far beyond Philadelphia, and although we aspire to rival her, and if possible, surpass her in works of charity, we freely acknowledge her superiority, and envy not the privileges of her see, but rather desire their increase. Not only should her metropolitan rights remain sacred, but she must of right be invested with the primacy, when it may please the holy see to erect other metropolitan churches in the south or west, as may be the case at no very distant period.

We must express our surprise that the editor of the Freeman's Journal should have inserted the silly production, and treated, even in jest, of the removal of the metropolitical privileges, which was not at all mentioned by the writer; especially when publishing a homily on editorial responsibility for the benefit of all Catholic editors."

RELIGIOUS ORDERS.-Very Rev. G. J. Wilson has been appointed provincial of the Dominican order in the United States, and Very Rev. James Vandevelde, superior of the Society of Jesus in the southern and western parts of the Union.

CONSISTENCY AGAIN.-The Banner of the Cross, October 28th, has the liberality to admit, that "the Roman communion is a branch of the universal Church," and a few columns after, it declares that "Romanism has many and awful errors." We think after this that even dissenters may have a chance of being recognized by the Banner as a portion of the true Church. In fact, if Bishops McIlvaine and Doane of the Protestant Episcopal denomination in the United States, are proclaiming opinions diametrically opposite on the subject of religion, and are still

united in the sacred and precious bonds of unity, why may not the Methodists, Presbyterians, Friends, Unitarians, and others lay claim to the honor of contributing to the one fold under one shepherd? The bishops above mentioned differ from each other, and very significantly and very pointedly state their disagreement on such matters as justification, baptismal regeneration, and other topics which at the time of the reformation were deemed of vital importance; but we all know that these questions have lost that grave aspect which they originally bore; the lapse of time has worn away the interest they once possessed, and to entertain contrary views respecting them is at the present day no obstacle to a perfect harmony in the faith!! We have every reason therefore to believe, that the various sects to which we have alluded, would not be discarded from the privileges of fellowship by our Episcopalian brethren. If some of them cannot square their ideas with those of episcopacy, they flatter themselves at least that they enjoy under another name, the same ecclesiastical mission and jurisdiction as their Episcopalian churchmen. If some do not admit the regenerative effect of baptism, well, what matters it? Episcopalian bishops themselves are divided upon the question, and are still of one mind; why should the other sects therefore suffer any apprehensions? They have the more reason to be cheered by the liberal condescension of certain editors, as of late a striking similarity has manifested itself between the happy and universally satisfactory proceedings of Episcopalian conventions and Presbyterian presbyteries. If Drs. Smith and Anthon of New York are alarmed at the dreadful assumptions of authority by a clerical officer, Bishop Breckenridge of Baltimore is not less despondent about the condition and fate of the true church established by Calvin, as we gather from the following comments of that gentleman regarding the late meeting in Baltimore.

"It is not, by any means, our purpose to write a commentary on the doings of the last Assembly. We deeply regret the necessity which seems laid upon us to say a word touching any part of them, and are more and more anxious, and, if God permit, more and more resolved to withdraw from a struggle, which, during thirteen years, we have zealously and unflinchingly

maintained for a faith and order which new disasters constantly compromit, and which it seems to be the will of heaven to permit to be endlessly endangered, if not betrayed. Oh! that God would pity his poor, misgoverned, misguided church."

We cannot forbear congratulating the Banner of the Cross, on the enlargement of his bounds of charity, which must afford no little pleasure to our separated brethren of every opinion.

A propos; speaking of charity, it may not be amiss to suggest to the editor of the Banner, the non sequiter of his illogical and inconsistent remarks in relation to the words Romanist, Papist, &c. He seems to think that because he considers the word Romanist a proper designation for Catholics, and because Bishop Griswold looks upon the word papist in the same light, therefore the Catholic body should accept the appellations. If individuals have a right to nick-name the great majority of the Christian world, why does the editor of the Banner complain of the word puseyism which all the world give to a small party in England? We are willing to believe that he will, on reflection, acknowledge it to be inconsistent with his own principles, to impose upon the more numerous body of Christians, names which they disown, and that it is equally incompatible with the principles of true courtesy and charity.

OBITUARY.

DIED on the 20th of August, at the college of St. Mary's, Barrens, Perry Co. Mo. Rev. John Larkin, C. M. He had been ordained one year before, and during his short ministry was distinguished for his zeal and piety.-Cath. Cabinet.

On the 27th of August, Rev. Abraham Backers, subdeacon, a native of Holland, aged twenty-seven years. The deceased was a member of the Society of Jesus, at Grand Coteau, La.-Ibid.

On the 2d of October, Rev. Robert Doogan, pastor of Alexandria, Louisiana, aged thirty years. A zealous and active laborer in the holy ministry, his death excited the profoundest regrets of the flock that he had served.-Prop. Cathol.

On the 29th September, Mr. John Morrin, a novice of the Dominican order, at St. Rose convent, Ky. aged twenty-four years.

An Oration, delivered before the Pennsylvania Catholic Total Abstinence Society, July 4th, 1843, by Wm. Geo. Read, LL.D., of Baltimore. We owe an apology to the learned and eloquent author of the above oration, for not noticing at an earlier period, his very interesting production. By some mischance his discourse found its way into our hands only a few days since. Nothing has yet fallen from this gentleman's pen, that we would not cheerfully commend for its classic elegance, its originality and strength of conception, its purity and beauty of style, and in general its sound views. The present effort abounds in all these marks of a finished orator. We give the following extract as an evidence of the high moral tone which characterizes the whole oration, and unite with the author in asking for it the dispassionate consideration of every patriot.

"I hesitate not to declare, and (considering at whose invitation 1 am here) the remark will not, I trust, be offensively obtruded—but at every personal risk, I fearlessly commend it to the dispassionate consideration of every thinking patriot, whom my feeble voice may reach-that the only permanent security for American liberty will be found in a more general investigation of the authority and obedience to the teaching of that Divine Religion, which, in her unchanging and unchangeable dogmas, her steady discipline, and sacramental aids, involves the elements of all true morality, all sound politics, all abiding civilization. Which, as she was the only power to tame the brute fury of kings and nobles, in times of feudal tyranny, so is the only one that can restrain the irregular passions of the multitude, in an age of universal suffrage; a religion not of speculative opinion but of explicit doctrine and positive precept; which leaves not man the interested judge of his own defaults or obligations, but, following him from the rebukes and exhortations of the confessional, to the solitude of the closet, bids him tremble there for the unatoned public wrong in which he may have shared, as for the private injury for which he cowers in undivided responsibility-which recognises no bankrupt or insolvent law-which absolves from no repudiation."

Sadlier's Family Bible. New York. This republication has reached its sixth number, and as the best evidence we can offer of the

elegance of its execution, and the satisfaction it has given, we state that Mr. J. Murphy, the agent, has not been able to supply the increasing demand for the work. This we are glad of, both for the reward which the publisher reaps for a faithful undertaking, and as an evidence of the anxiety of the Catholics of Baltimore to supply themselves with a family edition of the holy Bible. Commemorative discourse on the occasion of the death of the Rev. F. P. W. Greenwood. By Geo. W. Burnap. Delivered Sept. 17, 1843. This discourse, like every thing emanating from the same source, is illustrative of the practical good sense of the author, and awakens in its details a lively and mournful interest in all that relates to the subject of its commemoration. The author, however, will not expect us to adopt or commend such of his opinions as refer to Catholic usages or points of Christian doctrine. The veneration which the Church accords to her saints elicits his warm approval. He can even appreciate the feeling, (“which in darker ages was exaggerated into superstition,") of reverence for every memorial connected with holy men. This is a reflection very politely made on a pious usage, a rebuke sweetened with a kiss, a concession which almost makes us believe, that the author thought more favorably than he even spoke of this good and ancient Catholic custom, and that in his heart he considered it no superstition at all. As Catholics we deny that there is any superstition in making pilgrimages to the spots which virtue has sanctified, or bearing away the dust on which holy men have trodden, and assure the author that this fancied extravagance of the middle ages (he might have traced it back to the days of the Saviour himself), is still cherished and perpe. tuated by us as a consoling and most reasonable duty. Indeed we see the sick pastor whose interesting history the discourse commemorates, busied in his last illness, in carving little crosses of different materials, as memorials and relics for those he cherished, and from whom he felt he was soon to be severed. Now, we cannot see, that they who preserve these tokens of their departed friend, exhibit less of "the superstition of the darker ages," than the people of those ages themselves, who would pilgrim to the grave of a good man, and bear away the dust on which he had trodden. Indeed it seems from