PASTORAL LETTER

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 11, Issue 10, 11 March 1909, Page 373

PASTORAL LETTER

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

concluded from last week.)

In the clays of our youth we had a companion whom we loved as a brother or the dearest of friejids. Though our senior by two or three years, we were friendly rivals at school, and almost inseparable in recreation or vacation. He was a superior youth, endowed with the richest gifts of heart and of mind. One day a woful day for him he received from a wicked schoolfellow one of those firebrands of hell, a poem which, despite its too fatal renown, is a work worthy of the demon of impurity itself For the first time we saw that he was long silent and sadi for the first time he refused to show the book we both had reason to suspect. - The sad change wrought in him is most vividly brought before us this moment We can see his bright blue eve sparkling with unwonted passion; his ruddy lips quivering with dangerous emotion, as he sat poring over and clinging to the seductive pages eagerly drinking in tlie deadly poison soon to flow through his every vein, and penetrate the inmost recesses of his soul. Ah! unhappy youth, what have you lost and gained by that firstlatal reading? The seeds of abomination have already sprung up in your breast. Your excited passions will soon hur?y you on to every excess till they hurl you into the lowest depths of guilt ! In vain was he warned. In vain was he urged \° ??^l he PT ecl PJ ccc c yawning beneath his feet. He was deaf to the voice of friend, deaf to the voice of his directors, deaf to the voice of conscience, deaf to the voice of his God. Soon he lost all power over himself His once bright intellect grew disordered, his rich imagination was quickly perverted, the whole faculties of his soul were eaten up by lewd reading, and at times he seemed to be on the very brink «f madness. What we all dreaded soon came to pass. The once model youth became, in his turn a minister of Satan, and found pleasure in corrupting and spreading the empire of vice everywhere around He hal learnt from his favorite authors that duty and conscience were but idle words and fancies, that youth is the time for pleasure and enjoyment, that whatever the Church said about vice and virtue was good only for priests and piouswomen. Unable to bear the restraint of a college life - he feigned illness, and -returned to his parents' home- in fact, he was about to be dismissed.. The awful change in his favorite son soon broke his saintly father's heart and bore him to an untimely grave. His too fond, weak-

minded mother gave him every facility to gratify his morbid passion for immoral literature, she never refused him any single wish. Of course, our relationship with him was broken. But on tne eve of our departure from home to consecrate ourselves to God, we called to bid him farewell. We spoke or the many happy days we had spent together, of the joys or our First Communion. He burst into tears: grace was working withm him. Alas ! his mother entered the room and reminded him of a party of pleasure he had promised to take part in that evening. Poor, worldly- - m i nde d woman, she was afraid to lose her son, who heretofore had longed to give himself to God in the ecclesiastical state. Next day, a Sunday, we were summoned to his bedside. ihQ night before. he had been the gayest of the gay, tho idol of a fashionable group of worldlings whom he- had charmed by the melodious notes of an exceptionally fine voice, and now he was dying of a malignant disease brought on by the over-exertions of the previous night. It was one or the most -touching scenes one could witness. Only a tew hours before we had seen him admiring his fine manly rrame m a mirror close by, promising himself years or happiness and of health— he was not twenty. .We had seen his -fond mother admiring and encouraging him in his prospects of a brilliant future— and now his throat had swollen_to the level of his face, and was actually covering his chest and rendering him speechless. Near him lay tho tatal book, the first cause of his ruin. We eagerly seized it, and flung it into the flames. He saw the action, and gave a convulsive sob, a look, a vacant stare— was it in gratitude or reproach— God alone knew. His afflicted mother fetood by wringing her hands in despair. She could not shed a tear, her grief was pent up. It was breaking her heart. The sight was too much for us, and we withdrew. The next day the poor youth was dead. The doctors had wished to perform an operation. The mother refused, lest the beauty of her darling boy should be marred by the unsightly scars it would leave. The priest arrived whilst the doctors were in consultation, and he was asked to return. When he came back it was to view a lifeless corpse, the soul of which had just fled to the judgment seat of God, summoned, too, without the Sacraments of the Church! m Oh! what a death! Whilst the priest was pronouncing the last Absolution at the grave, a carriage drove up to the spot, a lady rushed out with dishevelled hair, and swingmg her arms madly -about called for her boy, her noble darling boy! 'It is I,' she wildly cried; 'it is I who have killed him !' She was carried from the grave a raving maniac ! O God ! Teais and sighs alone can express the Church's grief at such sad examples of the ravages inflicted upon her children by the corrupt literature of the present day, of the hellish works so eagerly devoured by each age and . sex ! Well may we cry out with the Prophet, ' Who will give a fountain of tears to mine eyes, I will weep day and night for the slain of the daughters of my, people.'— Jer. ix., 1. Dearly beloved in Christ, if you have ever,-- imbibed a passion for bad or dangerous reading, give it up if you value your peace and happiness of mind, and the welfare of your immortal soul. Shun ' the works of darkness ' as you would the approach of a murderer or wild beast. Fear those who might slay the "body, but, above all, fear those that may plunge the soul into the everlasting abyss. Not only shun bad books ' yourselves, but warn all, over whom . you may have the- least authority or influence, to shun the same. Imitate the example of the faithful of Corinth, of whom it is recorded in the nineteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles "that when St. Paul had preached to them on the subject of bad books ' they brought together those they possessed and burnt them before all.' Was it not with a prophetic view of our own day that the Prophet of old cried oxit, '• I see a volume flying . . . this is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the earth.' — Zach. v., 2-3. Dearly Beloved Brethren and Children of Jesus Christ, cast your eyes around the world, or merely around the country wherein you live. See to what a sad state society has reached at the present day. What has -brought about the alarming change. What is it that fills so many hearts and homes with grief and shame, by the cowardly suicides, the cold-blooded murders, the corruption in high places, the reckless speculations, the base bankruptcies, so destructive to society at large ? What has begotten those two great evils which, like cankering worms, are "gnawing at the very vitals of family and society, the dissolution of the marriage tie, and the cruel, unnatural tampering with life in its very -"bud? Why is there so widespread unbelief nowadays ? Wliat has robbed so many -noble souls of all hope of Heaven? What has driven them to seek their whole and s,ole happiness here below? Whence springs that unquenchable thirst for low pastimes and pleasures? Go to the anti-Christian immoral press, the lewd literature scattered broadcast^ over the land. - There you will trace the source,", the fountain-head of the streams of evil threatening" to sap the very foundation of all order, social or civil. We know how hard it is to give up this scandalous inven-

tion of the unclean spirit once you have imbibed a taste for pernicious reading. But give it up you must, before it has gained absolute sway over your soul. Later on it may be too late. You will be powerless for good, you will be ruined, and all hope of amendment be gone for ever. Look at the hapless youth who lias become a slave to the reading of novels. Time and health, and future prospects, virtue, true happiness, ajl are sacrificed to satisfy liis morbid craving. He takes up the book, at first to while away an hour; but the plot thickens, and the interest therein increases ; emotion succeeds emotion, and the alluring scenes captivate his whole being. Serious studies, prayer, the Sacraments, and all other duties become irksome and hateful. Whole hours are consumed in poring over and drinking in the empoisoned pages. The day is too short to gratify this fascinating but fatal pleasure, and he who would not impose upon' himself a like privation for aught that is ennobling wastes the best hours of night in unravelling the plot and finding out the end of a purely chimerical adventure. In these unguarded moments, in the silence of night, with no human eye to witness his folly, the wretched youth enters into all the passions so glowingly brought before his -view. An imagined inconstancy fires his resentment; a forced separation overwhelms him with grief; an unlooked for meeting fills' him with rapturous joy, pretended danger makes him shudder^ and he or she who never wept over any real human suffering save perhaps their own sheds tears over the most absurd of sorrows. Should he light upon a passage which stirs and gratifies still more, he reads and pauses, and reads again till seduced beside himself, he seeks to clothe it with a palpable form, with the fulness of life and of strength, yet unconscious of the poison he is sucking in with such eagerness and • delight. Fictitious passion arouses such emotion in his breast, that he identifies himself with the scenes he admires, and the faults and abominations of others he actually makes his own. The demon of impurity has seized him as his willing prey, wanton ideas fill his mind, unlawful desires are freely indulged; in a word, he is no longer the same, he is changed — corrupted. Dearly beloved Brethren and children in Christ, it is no exaggeration to say that once a taste for such reading is cherished, it becomes a very passion, for many an unconquerable necessity, a second nature. One novel or pamphlet gives place to another. One yohime is laid aside, only to take up another. All else is forgotten or forsaken. To read and read, such is the sole aim of the worthless but sinful existence. What countless hours are spent . in this guilty pleasure ? Yet. does riot the Almighty solemnly declare that on the last great day He will exact a strict account of every idle word, and of our inmost thoughts and deeds? Ask those who give themselves up to such reading what they have reaped thereby? What knowledge they' have acquired? What noble thoughts and impressions they retain? If they be frank they must confess that they have gained nothing, that absolutely nothing remains. But they mistake. Something, alas I they have gained, something has remained. A false judgment, an exalted imagination, extravagant, unreal, romantic thoughts and feelings. What is worse, they aie wholly unconscious of this. Poor deluded creatures, they are so familiar with the poison they continually imbibe that, blind to its effects, they know not themselves, "but watch them", examine them closely, their manner of thinking and acting, and you will be convinced of the radical change. One day whilst a priest was giving a mission in a large city, a lady came and saluted him in such a silly, affected way that he at once said : ' I see, madam, that you are in the habit of reading novels ! ' ' Yes, Father, but they don't do me any harm, I merely read for amusement.' 'You know, my child,' the priest replied, 'that you must offer up all your actions to God, that even thejnost indifferent — your meals, sleep, recreations, are agreeable, when offered *t ;i fc^i , 1^ a view to His S° od pleasure." I do, Father.' ' Well, then, offer Him the reading of .your novels. Before taking up the seductive volume, • £ h £? W £°j rs ? lf on 3 F )Ur knees befoi 'c your crucifix, and say, My God, I am about to read this novel to please Thee: I . a . m S? in g tp nil my mind, my imagination, and my soul with lying tales, seducing pictures, and feelings of sensual love. And all this lam going to do to fulfil the promises made at my Baptism, and renewed on the day of my *irst Communion, to procure Thy greater glory and the salvation of my immortal soul.'" 'But Father I could never do that. It. would le merely mocking God.' But, my child how could it be a -mockery to offer a .. g ° A °T?i TtT tO ?°?-« + \f el l' y° u kn ™> father!' Ah! I see, you feel that the bookjs not quite so harmless as you would fain have me believe. Yet I have put it before you m its least hurtful aspect. ' Tell me 'he added 'were you formerly more pious than you are today?' 'Oh, yes, Father, especially at the time of my First Communion, and during my happy convent days' 'Used you read such novels then?' 'Oh, no, Father, never.' , 'Were you not heretofore more obedient to the inspirations of grace, more gentle towards others, more patient, and less addicted to luxury and foolish expense ? '

' I was indeed.' ' Did you read novels ? ' ' No, Father, not at all.' ' Formerly you frequented the Sacraments with a holier relish and fidelity ? ' ' Alas ! I did.' 'Were you not' happier then?' -'God knows that I was.' 'And did you read such novels?' 'Oh, no, never,' she exclaimed, heaving a deep sigh. ' Well, then,' continued the priest, ' I have no more to say than that herein lay for you as for the great St. Theresa, the .root .of your misery and .fault.' . , Taught by a bitter experience, the lady gave up her pernicious reading, and very soon more serious, useful reading, more fervent prayers, restored to her soul her long lost peace and piety. Be convinced that every bad book or paper is truly a ' curse,' with a prophetic view whereof the Prophet of old cried out, ' I see a volume flying .' . . this is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the earth.' — Zach. v., 2-3. This curse, alas, is, nowadays, increased a thousand fold. The cursed -torrent _of bad books has burst all bounds. It has overthrown barriers hitherto deemed impassable. Hardly a town or a village where the vilest of vile literature reeking with moral filth has not borne the seeds of disorder and unbelief, of desolation, and spiritual death. Even those who dread the disorder are often forced to dwell in the midst of their mephitic atmosphere, breathing in the contagious breath with every breath of their life. Dearly beloved; it is not enough to dread this pestilential atmosphere. It is not enough to shun the rreard r ing of impious and obscene books. It is not enough to keep from your homes, from your children and servants those romances which are a contagion for families and a very scourge for society. It is not enough to banish from your midst those journals which mingle in their columns Avith odious calumnies, insinuations, the most vile, and blasphemies the most horrible. It is not 'enough to spurn" and despise those filthy productions in which the shameless writers, consulting only the ravings of their wicked imagination, transform ■ into criminals persons the most worthy of esteem and veneration, and pour upon institutions the most sacred the hatred and contempt they would fain make their readers share with themselves. It were a shame and a disgrace and a crime crying to Heaven for vengeance, to admit any such into homes that call themselves Christians. Something more is required of you. The cursed evil has penetrated everywhere, the remedy must penetrate everywhere too. We must spread* abroad the antidote of good doctrine to counteract the evil and enlighten souls, many of whom are more often seduced or abused than really guilty in themselves. We must be convinced of the fact that reading is one of the wants of our day. A universal craving, it must be satisfied. Vain were the thought to stem the torrent of bad books, unless we substituted good ones in their stead. Should we not place in the hands of those whom we would preserve, works which, whilst attractive and interesting, strengthen and ennoble the readers instead of corrupting and deceiving ? Their ignorance does' not" protect from the contagion the poor and lowly removed far away from our cities. One must read within the humble cottage as well as within the stately mansion or sumptuous palace. There is no denying the fact. The question is what to give those who clamor for food for their intelligence. The question is to provide solid, sound, pure and palatable food, instead of the pernicious food they have had, perhaps, thrust upon them. . AH honor to those, who, realising that the press itself must remedy the disorders of ,the press, encourage and help it by all means in their power! All honor to those who interest themselves in the Catholic Truth Societies where masterpieces, in their way, .are written, and obtainable for the merest nominal sums. Here we have reason to rejoice to have within >our reach so able an organ of truth as the New Zealand Tablet, which should be in the homes of every Catholic family. Happy the parishes where Catholic libraries' are established and flourish! We know, by sad experience, how difficult it is to get our young people to use these libraries, which are chiefly established in their interests.- Without discouraging love of legitimate sport and amusement, is it not a deplorable fact that our youth are inolined to make of it a very religion? Do they not too often sacrifice for sport and pastime the delights of home and friends, and entertaining and instructive literature? How many of our people are familiar with the splendid publications like the Dublin Review, The Month, The Aye Maria, Benzi9n c , rs AMA Ma Oaztne, The Austral Light, The Christian Family, flic Australian Annals of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Annals of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart? These reviews arid magazines contain articles often worthy or being not only read, but preserved, whilst some of them have good stories both interesting and instructive. Do your duty, dearly beloved, and whilst -you conceive a horror of every kind of corrupting, immoral or dangerous literature, make strenuous efforts to Wcourage the spread of good, instructive yet interesting, books, magazines, newspapers, -and reviews. • Let us, in conclusion, exhort you to make the study of the inspired pages of Holy Writ your daily delight. Read and meditate the sublime books of the Following of Christ. the lives of the Saints, any pure literary work wherein you will find true wisdom, rest and consolation. Read

those authorised and recommended by your true guides, instructors, parents, and friends. Ask Jesus and Mary and Joseph, your Angels Guardian and Patron Saints to bless your holy resolutions, and say with the Royal Psalmist, 'O x Lord God, turn' away my eyes that they may not behold vanity. Keep me from all reading which would leave in my mind and my heart nought but racking remorse. Thy word shall be a lamp to my feet and a light to my paths. Thy love and Thy mysteries and Thy promises and my hopes shall hereafter be the study of my mind, the food of my soul, and the way which shall lead me to everlasting bliss. Amen-