that the shrine has been very much defaced, | SOUTHWARK.-Thomas Grant, D.D., August and apparently quite wantonly. A Protes- 6th, 1851. Population, 2,335,427. tant author accuses the Protestant officials BEVERLEY.-John Briggs, D.D., June 29th, of" shameful connivance" in this matter.

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK ENDING SALFORD.-William Turner, D.D., July 25th,

Find shelter in each part, near every hearth, a home. Vincent de Paul, which may be intended for publicaFeast of St. Edward, 1850.

A CATHOLIC JOURNAL

DEVOTED TO RELIGION, EDUCATION, GENERAL LITERATURE, SCIENCE

No. 11.]

&c., &c.

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1852.

[PRICE ONE PENNY

ANNALS OF THE PROPAGATION OF vert the (foreign) heathen; unfortunately,

THE FAITH.

however, neglecting the spiritual weal of The Society for the Propagation of the the infidel and the barbarian at home. We Faith is one of the many wonderful and en- should give general publicity to "the Annals," during testimonies to the creative power were it only for the purpose of undeceiving and ever-living zeal of the Church of Christ. these good-natured, liberal beings, and enAs was foretold by her founder, she has abling them to draw a contrast (if they will been persecuted by the world in all times open their eyes), and to learn the difference and in all nations. But these ordeals to between the true shepherd, who enters by which she has been subjected, are evidences the door, and the thief, who climbs over of a wise provision. They were necessary, the wall. If they would examine "the no doubt, for the purification of the mem- Annals," they would learn one indubitable bers of Christ's Mystical Body; and they truth, namely, that notwithstanding all were not less necessary as proofs of her the rich funds and other appliances of Divine origin, and the sleepless care of the all the united Protestant societies, their Holy Spirit, which was sent to guide her missionaries to the heathen have hitherinto all truth. Further, these persecutions to done no good-made no convertswere necessary to the discomfiture and the brought no peace to the wretched-ameconfounding of her enemies, for, no matter liorated not the condition of the poorhow fallen or depressed she may at times while provinces, and nations, and peoples, have appeared in their eyes, it was always have bowed their heads and hearts to the found that she rose triumphant and glorious teachings of the unaided Catholic priest, from her temporary humiliation, demon- who is sustained alone by the Spirit of God. strating her Divine origin, and proving Now, why have Protestant missionaries beyond question that she, and she alone, is failed? Because they have really neither the Pillar and the Ground of Truth. It may be said, with reverence, that the faithful children nurtured at her breast have no need of external manifestations to prove that she is indeed the Spotless Spouse. But, the Great Shepherd has other sheep, wandérers, that must be protected from the wolf, and brought into the security of the "One Fold." For their sakes then, and to the utter condemnation of the scorner and the blasphemer, it is necessary that her triumphs should be proclaimed: that the wonderful works recorded in the lives of her saints, her devoted priests, her selfsacrificing missionaries, coming down even to the present day, as detailed in the Annals of the Propagation of the Faith, should be given to the world. Charity, the exaltation of Truth, the glory of God require it.

mission nor commission, and therefore can have neither faith nor zeal. Because, unlike HIM whom, with forward presumption they call their Master, "their kingdom is of this world," and therefore, the simplest heathen can perceive that their promises and labours are nothing but a sham. Our space, for the present, forbids us to carry the contrast farther, we therefore content ourselves with directing the attention of our readers to the following extract :

Extract from a letter of the Right Rev. Dr. Maresca,

Bishop of Solen, and Administrator Apostolic of the Diocess af Nankin, to Messrs, the Directors of the Work of the Propagation of the Faith at Lyons and Paris.

"Gentlemen,

66 Chang-hai, Oct. 1st., 1851.

In kindness, even to our separated breth- was in want of a great number of priests for the ad"In my preceding letters, I informed you that I ren, these announcements should be made.ministration of this vast diocess, in which seventy A nation of credulous dupes, at the instiga-thousand Christians are dispersed and lost, as it were, gation of a band of sly, interested knaves, among a population of upwards of fifty millions of are in the habit of annually subscribing number of fellow-labourers. Through the indefainfidels. I am still very far from having a sufficient immense sums of money for the ostensible tigable activity of my missioners, and the zeal which purpose of sending out missionaries to con- they have inspired in the hearts of our catechists, the

tions.

light of the gospel is becoming gradually more and [gressive. The march of intellect is slow here; we more propagated among our neophytes, and crime, suffer from this inertia, but without losing courage. the usual fruit of ignorance, is daily giving way to a Besides, if the harvest is late, the field which we are truly admirable purity of manners. Formerly, these cultivating is by no means sterile. Sincere converpoor Chinese considered themselves happy, if, during sions console us from time to time. For the edificaa life of fifty or sixty years, they were enabled to ap- tion of your readers I will now recount that of an old proach three or four times to the sacraments of pen-man, such as I find it given in a letter from Father Sica. ance and holy Eucharist. At the present time, they "Not far from the congregation of Ou-ho, a hundred can, if they will, comply with their Easter duties, as and fifty leagues from Chang-hai, there is a considerawell as their brethren in Europe, and hence the re-bly large village, in which Christianity was once very sults obtained in 1851 have surpassed my expecta- flourishing. At the present time, however, there are only a few poor Christians, who have preferred losing "Being now supplied with all the most indispen- everything to the renunciation of the faith of their sable requirements of religion, our neophytes are fathers. The chief of this villiage is an old man, completely changed. They are no longer those poor sixty years of age, rich, learned, and respected by his timid creatures, who, but a short time since, were family and his fellow-citizens. In his infancy he had afraid to acknowledge themselves Christians; at the been baptized, but had never practised his religion; present time they are able to meet their difficulties, he had even become one of its ardent persecutors. and resist temptation. I should like you, gentlemen, Whilst I was administering to the religious wants of to witness the change that has taken place in all the the faithful at Ou-ho, I heard him speak of this man, different districts; you would then, I am sure, parti- and ventured to send my catechist to visit him. He cipate in the consolation which it affords me. I have felt pleased with this act, and immediately came to visited various portions of my diocess, and have every- see me, and express his gratitude. The grace of God where met with the same fervour. The infidels had moved him: I addressed to him a short exhorthemselves want to take part in our holy exercises. tation, and he at once resolved on becoming a At the consecration of a large chapel, built for a con- convert. After a preparation of eight days, he gregation of eight hundred souls, I observed upwards received the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Euof three thousand idolaters assembled to witness this charist, shedding copious tears on the occasion. interesting ceremony. Thenceforward he was completely changed. 'Father.' "With a view to keep alive the fervour of our said he to me, with the expression of a calm and Christians, we have, as in France, pious confraterni-heart-felt joy, Father, God has had pity on me; He ties: those of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Holy has extended to me His mercy,-to me who was the Heart of Mary produce everywhere the most salutary persecutor of His elect; what can I do to testify to Him results. Father Languillat has seen, on certain days, my gratitude? Henceforth my house shall be at your upwards of two thousand members assembled around disposition; I will build a chapel adjoining it, and, him for instructions, prayers, and other pious prac-on your return to this congregation, you will find my tices. In order to preserve unity and concord, the wife, my children, and grand-children prepared to same Father has established, under the designation receive the Sacrament of Baptism, As for my relaof Bureau de paix, a council, to which he refers all tions and neighbours, I shall adopt all possible means the difficult questions that arise in the affairs of the to induce them to become partakers of my happiness.' district, and already have several disputes, which had I hope that this brilliant conversion will be a prelude hitherto defied all his efforts at reconciliation, been to many others. settled to the entire satisfaction of the contending parties. Moreover, the uprightness and intelligence of the men of whom this tribunal is composed, have gained the esteem of the infidels themselves. In their quarrels. they voluntarily appeal to this new court of justice.

A

"Divine Providence does, however, sometimes remind us that we are apostles in an infidel land, and and that we ought to be prepared for any event. A persecution was commenced about two months ago at Som-kiang, seven leagues from Chang-hai. number of military mandarins took it into their heads "If our neophytes afford us so much consolation, to force the Christian soldiers to trample underfoot the infidels, also, on their part, inspire us with great the cross; on this condition alone were they to receive hopes. It is an indisputable fact, that the faith is their pay. A few days after, a proclammation was daily stealing on their minds, The course of life and even posted up, declaring the religion wicked and the sacrifices of the missioner, his zeal in seeking prohibited. The first impression thereby produced after the abandoned children, the care bestowed on was that of fear; but courage was soon restored, and the poor and the sick, the distribution which we those even on whom we had the least reliance remade last year during the famine, all the alms which sponded by a solemn profession of faith to the aposthey are aware come from Europe, from the Christians tacy to which they were called upon to submit. who love without knowing them, move the hearts of M. de Montigny, the consul at Chang-hai for the the most prejudiced, cause them to shed copious last four years, is perfectly well acquainted with the tears, and gradually dispose their minds in favour of artful genius of the Chinese; he therefore maintained a religion that inspires works of such disinterested with dignity the right of France to protect the charity. The people are now beginning to place Christians, and thanks to the firm and courageous great confidence in our words; they no longer laugh, attitude which he assumed, the mandarins are already as they did formerly, at our teaching, but listen to it beginning to pull in their horns; their malice will with respect; so true it is that, in order to preach the have been attended with no other result than that of gospel with success. it is essential, after the example causing to be published the general decree of liberty, of our Divine Saviour, that our instructions should be in the very place where they were seeking to rekindle preceded by acts of benevolence: Capit facere et lethe fire of persecution. At present, all is again redocere. Henceforward, we shall be in a better position to stored to tranquillity, and we look with no little delight administer to their wants; my missioners are begin- on the establishments which are beginning to flourish ning to be better acquainted with their language and in our diocese. their dispositions; we have catechists already trained, "The most important is, doubtless, that on which and others under instructions. The process doubtless depends the future success of this mission, the semiappears slow to a heart inflamed with the love of nary where we are expecting to train up pious and souls, who would like to see Paganism at once de- learned priests, who may one day share in our labours. stroyed, and the standard of the cross everywhere Forty-two pupils, some of whom are to enter this unfurled but our life, I perceive, is to be spent in year on their course of theology, are assembled the continual exercise of patience: this is the lot together at a league's distance from Chang-hai, in a portioned out to us by God, in permitting us to be locality in which every thing tends to promote study located in this part of the world, apparently so unpro-and contemplation. In this establishment, these

young men, whose minds are being formed to science | a long shot, making him jump high off the and virtue, enjoy almost as great facilities for improvement as they would do in Europe, and it ground; but this beast is as tenacious of life is consoling for us as a cat, and, instead of falling dead, he to see them correspond worthily to the care which we bestow on them. limped off and escaped! But to resume: Besides the seminary, we have also at Zi-ka-wei a I fired, and never heard a ball strike with college, that has now been established six months, more satisfaction in my life. It laid the and two superior schools in the districts of Poutang alligator sprawling, feet uppermost. There and Hai-men. These houses supply us with the

catechists and schoolmasters. The younger children was no time to be lost in getting him on shore; are also objects of our solicitude; for them we have two or three strokes with the oars brought special institutions, in which they are educated ac- us alongside the monster, as he floated on cording to their rank and capacity. If every congre- the surface of the stream. The business gation does not yet enjoy this immense advantage, we was to attach a line to one of his legs; and can at all events boast, at the present time, of a hundred and nine boys' schools, and twenty-four girls' schools. as we knew that he was not dead, but only Some of these are maintained entirely at our own stunned, this was rather a hazardous operaexpense; in others, we only require to assist the tion. I noticed, indeed, a hesitation among Christians, in some instances, by fitting up the estab- the men as to who should venture, and fearlishment, and in others, by paying the teachers' ing lest our prize should escape, I seized the salaries. All these institutions put us to great expense; but on what more praiseworthy object could line, and made it fast to one of his forelegs ; we bestow the resources of your charity, than in thus we proceeded to the shore, dragging forming these young minds, so dear to God, and who him alongside. Before we reached it, howare to be the regenerators of their country and the ever, our friend gave signs of returning promoters of religion. animation: and as we could not foresee to "In conclusion, I must also inform you, gendemen, that a great portion of the district of Hai men has what extent ne might regain his activity, we recently been the scene of a terrible tempest and dropped him astern, clear of the boat, fearinundation; the harvest, which would have been ing lest, in floundering about, he might abundant, has been carried away into the sea. Of stave in her broadside. In doing so, morethe five thousand neophytes resident in this province, over, and by way of a sedative, I fired a charge nearly one half have lost everything. Their resignation of large shot at his head, the muzzle of the is admirable; they already begin to speak of going to confession, and preparing to die of hunger. But I gun not being a yard from it; and yet the trust they will not fall a prey to so deplorable a fate. only effect produced was a slight stupor of Providence, of whom you are the instrument, will the animal's faculties, evinced by a moment. come to our aid, and we shall not be condemned to ary state of quiescence. On reaching the witness the ruin of so many fervent Christians, who shore, the men jumped out to haul the allihave always displayed so much zeal and generosity in receiving and maintaining at their own cost so gator upon the dry land, and began to pull many deserted children. away vigorously. It was a comic scene to witness, They expected to have some difficulty in performing their task; but, suddenly, they found the rope slacken, and looking round, beheld the alligator walking ADVENTURE WITH AN ALLIGATOR. up after them of his own accord, faster than was pleasant. In their haste, endeavouring Starting early, we had just passed all the to keep the rope tight, one fellow tripped shoals in the neighbourhood of Curiosity up, and it was for a moment a question Peak, and entered a narrow part of the whether he would be snapped in two; the river, when the leadsman in the bows of the feeling of alarm, however, soon gave way to boatreported, "A large alligator coming down a sense of the ludicrous, at beholding the the stream, sir." Elated by the expectation manner in which he gathered himself up of sport, we instantly grounded the boat on into a ball, and rolled out of the alligator's the right bank, to keep her steady, and way. I thought it now high time to take waited anxiously for the monster's approach. decisive measures, and, with another shot, It will readily be believed that every eye altered the intentions of the monster, who was fixed upon him as he slowly advanced, endeavoured to back towards the water. scarcely disturbing the glassy surface of the It was not before he had received six balls water, and quite unconscious of the fate in the head, that he consented to be killed. that impended over him. At length he came During the operation, he exhibited someabreast, and about eighty yards off, only the thing of his capabilities, by opening his flat crown of his head, and the partly ser- mouth, that looked like a gigantic man-trap, rated ridge along his back, appearing in and suddenly shutting it with a loud snap, sight. It was a moment of deep excitement which made us shudder, and forcibly recalled for us all, and every one held his breath in to mind the escape I had had a few days besuspense, as I pointed my gun at the brute's fore from having my body embraced by such head. I felt confident of hitting my mark; a pair of jaws.-Captain Stokes. but, judging from the little effect I had pro

"I am, with the most heart-felt gratitude, &c.,

66

FRO. XAVIER MARESCA, Bishop of Solen, and Administrator Apostolic of "the Diocese of Nankin."

duced on former occasions, scarcely dreamt Many men would have more wisdom if of the execution my ball actually did. It they had less wit. happened that to-day I was in excellent

Women are like gold, which is tender in practice, and had just hit a large wild dog, at proportion to its purity.

Society of St. Vincent of Paul.

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

TRANSLATIONS FROM THE PARIS
BULLETIN.

(Continued from page 133.)

how to account for so sudden a change. Two members of the Conference, going to see their brother, surprised him in the exercise of his charitable undertaking, which, without this circumstance, would have remained unknown. The patronage intended for apprentices presents, without doubt, great difficulties; but it is, in a manner, more important, were there no other advantage than that of contributing to retain the young people in the village, and to suppress that unhappy inclination, or rather that fatal calculation of the parents, who drive them to the towns, it would be assuredly one of the greatest benefits of charity. They believe they will find fortunes in the cities-they abandon agriculture for manufacture-thus they either destroy their bodies or lose their souls, if not both at once. This patronage is the particular object of the care of our brethren of Brittany. They endeavour to find for their apprentices, situations among the farmers; a society is even organized with this intention; it bears the name of the Work of the Infant Jesus, and has beneficent ramifications in all the country. The Conference of the town of Chateaubriand has placed thus, in a period of twelve months, It has been said that rivers are roads which march; ninety-seven children. This movement is more can we not say of a book, that it is a spring of good restrained in the rural Conferences, but nevertheless or evil, which travels and spreads itself. Good does an immensity of good in all the pious districts. literary works, judiciously chosen, placed at the dis-At Issè, St. Etienne de Montlue, Legrande-Auverné, posal of readers in the country, become thus, in some Meillerape, &c., they occupy themselves with zeal and sort, a source, always open, of salutary advice and success. At St. Pierre de Chemillé, the Conference would have, without doubt, abandoned this precious patronage, for want of a suitable place to assemble the young people in, had it not been for the zeal of one of the members, who opened his house to ten young pupils, who each Sunday went there to receive useful lessons. (To be continued.)

The principal means of moral assistance are, as everywhere, libraries, the patronage extended to scholars and apprentices, and the recitation of the catechism, especially attended to in the rural Conferences.

useful instruction.

In some Conferences, not_content with lending books, they bestow them. Forty-five volumes are lent, fifty are given away at Villeneuve-l'Archeveque; 200 are lent, 120 are given at Mouy; 450 are lent at Malmedy. These figures, taken at random, give the measure of good done in this manner.

Otherwise the books serve as a pastime for young persons reading each Sunday between Mass INSTRUCTIONS TO BE FOLLOWED and Vespers; sometimes these readings take place during the long winter evenings; the good effects they produce, and above all, the evil which they can prevent, are easily understood.

IN FORMING CONFERENCES OF
ST. VINCENT OF PAUL.

Deus qui inhabitaire facis unius moris in domo.
(From the Manual of the Society,)
Continued from page 150.

The patronage extended to scholars is, assuredly, the most simple of all our works, the most easily applied, and, I will add, one of the most endearing and the most fruitful; it is generally adopted by the rural Conferences. Almost everywhere the aid consists of Conferences have lost much precious time At this particular point of progress, some bread, meat, articles of clothing, and of piety. A child had merited one of these recompenses; he hesi- in discussing rules and regulations. They tated in his choice. We demanded why? "My thought that local considerations required sister," said he, "goes to make her first Communion some departure from certain customs enuon Sunday. I would wish much to be able to present merated in the general regulations; and her with her handkerchief." The handkerchief was that before entering on works of charity, it not in the programme, but we found means of entering it there. Another child took regularly his gifts of was necessary to fix their own land-marks. soup, which he merited, his marks being constantly We cannot too earnestly entreat those, who good; but in place of consuming it as his companions are about to organize a Conference, not to did on the place where it was distributed, he carried it away without touching it. We interrogated him, and he replied, "It is better than that which we make at home; my mother is ill, I'll carry it to her."

act thus: for, in the first place, it is evident that regulations, that have stood the trial of eighteen years' experience, and that have Such are the touching inspirations which that been submitted to the approbation of His beneficent institution creates among our protèges. Holiness Pope Gregory XVI., have many Behold now an example of devotedness to their claims to the confidence of Conferences, protectors. One of our brethren, charged with and secondly we can safely affirm from the patronage of scholars, saw two of them, in spite of their good will and their efforts, always experience, that the outset of charitable having bad marks for the recitation of their associations is not the right moment for lessons. He wished to know the cause of it, and laying down rules: at such a moment, arguwent to their families. Their poverty was extreme.ments are based upon opinions only, and In the midst of the winter, without fire to warm them- not on experience, and people allow themselves, without light to study, their children, in

66

66

returning to their homes, had no other resource selves to be carried away by vague theories, against the cold, often against hunger, than to go to when," according to one of our brethren bed on entering. Thus the lessons were never learned. who had followed such a path, we think Our brother knew well how to remedy this. He we have mountains before us, whereas if we made them come to his house each evening, and he advance boldly we shall find that they sink became their patient preceptor. From that moment the lessons were known, and recited perfectly, to the under our feet." Pride, also, will but too great surprise of the schoolmaster, who did not know often enter into preliminary discussions.