THE SOCIETY OF JESUS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 11, 20 November 1883, Page 3

THE SOCIETY OF JESUS.

Jvn now m> event has ocrurred whieh even a hundred yean ago would have created a sensation in European Courts. Father Beckx, the General of the Order of Jesus, has become eo infirm and decrepid that he has been obliged to ask the members to appoint a coadjutor to succeed him when dead, and act for him till then. The election of a general of the order is now matter of historical interest than otherwise. It is not, however, so long since that this formidable body ihduehced more or lest the education of the children of the better classes, loth in Italy, France, and Germany. The late Pope Plus IX. was entirely under their influence, blit the times have changed and are changing fast, the world Is slipping from their grasp in every direction ; and though in England at least there is no longer any fanatical hatred of them, it is certain that even here any attempt of this ancient body ■a. to reassert their pre-eminence would be the signal for a storm of indignation to sweep them from their strongholds. There la not a country in the world from which they have not, at one time or other, been expelled | and the hatred with which even their co-religionists regard them, is notorious. If anyone wants to know their method of working, he should read the 11 Wandering," by Eugene Sue, which, though no doubt exaggerated, yet gives a very fair idea ef the methods employed by the society to effect their objects. In 1773 Clement XIV , mueh against his will, suppressed the order, but nothing daunted, its members worked with such good will that in 1614 they Obtained a restoration of their privileges from Pius VII. As a contemporary justly remarks, it is only in lands where perfect liberty is not known that the Jesuit causes terror; His deeds are dark and molelike, but, beneath the fresh air of truth and reli. I gion, they wither into nothing. Hence the ' reason of their success in Italy, Spain, Portugal, South America, &c. It was in the latter country that some of their most wonderful triumphs have been obtained, and a history which should give the world a record of their doings there would be of the highest interest. If anyone doubts the nature of their teaching, he has only to consult their own writers, such as Father Kniese Reginald, Father Jaberna, Molina, Suave?, Mariana, Ac. For instance, Molina, says, “If a prince become a heretic or Schismatic, the Pope may use the temporal sword against him and drive him from his kingdom. After such a king has been declared to be deprived of his kingdom, any man has a right to kill him I"