Christian Brothers, Sisters of Charity, St. Vincent de Paul, and the numerous other fraternities, male and female, which are rapidly establishing themselves

and the Consistory. We must hesitate at no cost, when it imports us to gain possession of a secret.'

'Our business is to contrive, 1st, That the Catholics be imbued with hatred for the heretics, whoever they may be, and that this hatred shall constantly increase and bind them closely to each other.

2nd, That it be, nevertheless, dissembled so as not to transpire until the day when it shall be appointed to break forth.

'3rd, That this secret hate be combined with great activity in endeavouring to detach the faithful from every government inimical to us, and employ them when they shall form a detached body to strike deadly blows at heresy.

'It is fortunate for us that the catechism of each diocese contains the precious element upon which our dogma is founded, that God is to be obeyed rather than men. These simple words contain all that we require for the Papacy. If we teach (and who shall prevent us from doing so?) that the Pope is the Vicar of God, it follows that the Pope speaks absolutely in the place of God. It is the Pope then who is to be obeyed rather than men.

'This is the bond of which every confessor must make use in order to bind the faithful indissolubly to the chariot of Rome. Even in the Catholic States doth not the pulpit bear this inscription of servitude, Usque huc venies, neque ultra?' But happily this is not the case with the Confessional. That place is not profaned by any such insulting restrictions. There God reigns supreme, and from the great dogma the clergy (as long as it shows itself the worthy and legitimate organ of the Pope) derives the privilege of being obeyed as God Himself.'- The Jesuit Conspiracy. Victor Considerant. Chapman and Hall, . London, pp. 127-9.

Tactics.

as well as 'Catholic Unions,' Catholic Associations,' 'Catholic Temperance Societies,' and the League of St. Sebastian, are all inspired by this Order.

Political confusion or even international war seems to be contemplated with pleasure, provided the temporal power of the Pope can be restored. Dr. Manning is reported to have said, at a meeting held in Willis's Rooms, London, on January 20th, 1874,

'The excited antagonism of the nations of Europe is founded on a fact [temporal power of the Pope] full of consolations.' 'Instead of being alarmed, or scared, or discouraged, by the great sharpening of animosity, and the great massing together of antagonists, I look upon it as the most beautiful sign.' 'Now when the nations of Europe have revolted, and when they have dethroned, as far as men can dethrone, the Vicar of Jesus Christ, and when they have made the usurpation of the Holy City a part of international law, when all this has been done, there is only one solution of the difficulty- a solution, I fear, impending, and that is, the terrible scourge of Continental war -a war which will exceed the horrors of any of the wars of the First Empire. I do not see how this can be averted. And it is my firm conviction that in spite of all obstacles the Vicar of Jesus Christ will be put again in his own rightful place.' (Loud applause.)*

The nations of Europe at war with one another, and consuming themselves, is to Dr. Manning a beautiful sign, 'founded on a fact full of consolations!' Are not the Ultramontanes in their system of education, both in Ireland and England, training their people for such a catastrophe? Their support Tablet, 24th January, 1874, p. 120.

tane tactics.

of 'Home Rulers' in Ireland, and of both political Ultramonparties in England, point to the same issue. Dr. Manning seems to contemplate also with pleasure the position of the League of St. Sebastian at the close of this terrible scene, for he adds,

'The nations of Europe are doomed to exercise judgment on each other; but the League of St. Sebastian, wearing their old grey observable uniform, will, it may be, once more stand by the throne of Pius IX., amidst the day-break of that restoration. (Loud and continued applause.)**

The Meetings, therefore, in St. James' and Exeter Meetings

Halls, have been most opportune. It is hoped they are only the beginning of a Protestant reawakening over the whole Empire, and will be instrumental in uniting in one common bond all the nations of Europe and America, contending against this, the most formidable combination that ever was formed against the authority and security of civil government, as well as against the liberty, reason, and happiness of mankind.'†

Tablet, Jan. 24, 1874, p. 120

† Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, Book V., Chap. 1, Part iii., Art. 3.

opportune.

с

THE LETTER OF THE POPE TO THE

GERMAN EMPEROR.

Pope's letter to the Emperor.

Vatican, 7th August, 1873.

YOUR MAJESTY,-The measures which have been adopted by your Majesty's Government for some time past all aim more and more at the destruction of Catholicism. When I seriously ponder over the causes which may have led to these very hard measures, I confess that I am unable to discover any reasons for such a course. On the other hand, I am informed that your Majesty does not countenance the proceedings of your Government, and does not approve the harshness of the measures adopted against the Catholic religion. If, then, it be true that your Majesty does not approve thereof, and the letters which your august Majesty has addressed to me formerly might sufficiently demonstrate that you cannot approve that which is now occurring—if, I say, your Majesty does not approve of your Government continuing in the path it has chosen of further extending its rigorous measures against the religion of Jesus Christ, whereby the latter is most injuriously

to the

affected-will your Majesty then not become con- Pope's letter vinced that these measures have no other effect than Emperor. that of undermining your Majesty's own throne? I speak with frankness, for my banner is truth. I speak in order to fulfil one of my duties, which consists in telling the truth to all, even to those who are not Catholics; for every one who has been baptized belongs in some way or other, which to define more precisely would be here out of place,— belongs, I say, to the Pope. I cherish the conviction that your Majesty will receive my observations with your usual goodness, and will adopt the measures necessary in the present case. While offering to your Most Gracious Majesty the expression of my devotion and esteem, I pray to God that He may mercifully enfold your Majesty and myself in one and the same bond of mercy.

(Signed) PIO.

LETTER OF HIS MAJESTY THE GERMAN
EMPEROR TO THE POPE IN REPLY.

Berlin, Sept. 3rd, 1873.

I am glad that your Holiness has, as in former

times, done me the honour to write to me. I rejoice

Emperor's reply to the Pope.