Chapter XII.

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. ...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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_.]

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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_.]

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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?

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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.

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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. ...

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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!"

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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_,

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

VI.

Dr. Newman's Answer To Dr. Pusey's Eirenicon. Paper, $0.75

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_.

VIII.

Aspirations of Nature. By Rev. I. T. Hecker. Fourth edition, revised, cloth, extra, ... $1.50