LUCAS, JB, Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1838, by FIELDING the Clark's Office, or district Court of Maryland. THENEW YORK TOR: LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. JOHN MURPHY, PRINTER It must be a source of unmingled satisfaction for every professor of the true faith, to witness the steady march of religion over the vast territory which we inhabit. The collation of its present state Iwith that in which we beheld it a few years since, when the first number of the Catholic Almanac was published, proves it to have advanced with a rapidity which could scarcely have been anticipated, and calls for the expression of our fervent gratitude to the Father of mercies, who has so bountifully scattered its inestimable blessings over our happy land, and so liberally encouraged the efforts of those whom he has called to labour in his vineyard. It is not our intention at this moment, to enter into the details of this flattering comparison; we reserve them for another occasion: but our object at present, is to awaken the attention of all who are zealous for the propagation of religious truth and the salvation of souls, to one of the principal advantages to be derived from the use of our humble periodical. It is intended not merely to furnish that statistical information, which will add to their general stock of knowledge and direct them in various practical purposes of life; but also, to afford them.a source of real and laudable gratification, in contemplating the, prosperity of our holy faith, as well as to animate them with corresponding sentiments of gratitude for these favours of the Almighty, and with a desire to co-operate, in their proper sphere, in the furtherance of so noble a cause. If we are allowed to rejoice on any occasion, it is particularly in reference to the interests of eternal life; and if there is any object we should cheerfully come forth to promote, it is that which consists in spreading aatong our fellow-creatures the true doctrines of Christianity, in multiplying the facilities of religious instruction for the Catholic, and removing the mists of prejudice and ignorance from the minds of our dissenting brethren. Now, by what means are the laity instrumental in the performance of this great and good work? Have they been commissioned, like the Apostles, to preach the gospel of peace? Have they received that exalted character, by which they are to be recognized as "the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God?"* No; their station is of a subordinate kind; but, however inferior in point of dignity to the rank of the Apostles, it imposes duties which, if uniformly practised, must exert a most happy influence upon society at large, and vastly contribute to the dissemination of the true faith. How rich the harvest to be gathered throughout this cherished land! But how few the labourers! "Pray,† therefore, to the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest." Pray to him who alone "giveth the increase," that they who are already engaged in this sacred ministry, may prove themselves worthy of their elevated calling, and may find in the people committed to their charge, a willing disposition to comply with their salutary instructions. But Matth. ix. 38. * I. Cor. iv. 1. that your supplications may be accepted at the throne of grace, "let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."* Good example is one of the main props of religion. Where true virtue prevails, infusing itself into the words and actions of a man, ennobling his character and placing him in contrast with so many others around him, it has an irresistible charm and cannot but lead to the most beneficial results. In addition to these primary obligations of a Christian, "there are others," observe the Fathers of the late Provincial Council,t "which regard your exertions to provide for the external wants of religion, and to establish those means by which instruction will be more generally diffused, the ministry more widely extended, the spiritual wants of great numbers better attended to, and even the temporal consolations of our afflicted fellow-creatures, whether members of our church, or estranged therefrom, better secured." The erection and decoration of churches; the encouragement of Catholic periodicals and other publications which aim at the diffusion and vindication of correct principles; the relief and education of the orphan and the poor in general; the support of institutions intended to secure amongst us a succession of pious and learned lergymen, as well as to communicate stience and cultivate amongst youth a pure, solid and enlightened piety, are all objects of the highest importance, and appeal loadly to the zeal and Liberality of the Catholic community. As Christians, we are forced to acknowledge, that the honour and prosperity of feligion are, in some measure, identified with these benevolent underdibgs, and that without them, as is the case in many parts of the toußtry, it has to struggle with difficulties of the most seribus nature. It behooves us therefore, in the first place for our own peace of mind, then for the welfare of others, to "think on these things," and to contribute, as far as we can, to the extension of the true faith, by fervently invoking the blessing of the Almighty upon the work he has commenced; by exhibiting, in our lives and actions, an illustration of the principles we profess; and by a wise, liberal, and charitable administration of the temporal goods which Divine Providence has committed to our care. We shall view with tenfold pleasure the triumph of our holy religion, when associated with the consciousness that we have done our part in achieving the victory over error and immorality. THE EDITOR. * Matth. v. 16. Pastoral Letter, page 31. |