‘STAND FAST IN THE FAITH’

New Zealand Tablet, 22 July 1915, Page 11

‘STAND FAST IN THE FAITH’

(A Weekly Instruction specially written for the N.Z. Tablet by Ghimel.) ! THE CHURCH'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE SCRIPTURES.—III. The Popes from Peter to Benedict XV. have always been the faithful guardians of the Sacred Scriptures, and on numberless occasions enthusiastic promoters of Biblical studies among the learned, and of Bible-reading ■amongst the unlearned. Cardinal Newman once reminded his fellow-countrymen that not one of them would be able to read were it not for the monks of the early Middle Ages, and it is equally true to say that there would be no Bible or Bible-reading in the twentieth century had not the Church collected the sacred writings at the beginning, stamped them with the seal of her 'canonical authority, preserved them with scrupulous care for fifteen centuries when printing was as yet unknown, caused correct translations into many languages to be made, and given practical and zealous encouragement to her scholars and children to take up, read, and study the holy volume. Perhaps the Church's love, veneration, and prudent care for the Scriptures may be best shown by quoting from Pope Leo Encyclical Letter of November, 1893. (a) Benefit of Bible Study. —'Among the reasons for which the' Holy Scripture is so worthy of commendation—in addition to its own excellence and to the homage* which we owe to God's Word—the chief of all is the innumerable benefits of which it is the source, according to the infallible testimony of the Holy Ghost Himself, Who says: "All Scripture inspired of God is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice; that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.'' "That such was the purpose of God in giving the Scripture to men is shown by the example of Christ our Lord and of His Apostles. For He Himself, Who obtained authority by miracles, merited belief by authority, and by belief drew to Himself the multitude " (St. Augustine), was accustomed, in the exercise of His divine mission, to appeal to the Scriptures. He uses them at times to prove that He is sent by God and is God Himself. From them He cites instructions for His disciples and confirmation of His doctrine. He vindicates them from the calumnies of objectors, He quotes .them against Sadducees and Pharisees, and retorts from them upon Satan himself when he dares to tempt Him. At the close of His life His utterances are from the Holy Scripture, and it is the Scripture that lie expounds to His disciples after His Resurrection, until lie ascends to the glory of His Father. Faithful to His precepts, the Apostles, although He .Himself granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands, nevertheless used with the greatest effect the sacred writings, in order to persuade the nations everywhere of the wisdom of Christianity, to conquer the obstinacy of the Jews, and to suppress the outbreak of heresy.' . (b) The Solicitude, of the Church. 'lt is in this that the watchful eye of the Church shines forth conspicuously. By admirable laws and regulations she has shown herself solicitous that the ''heavenly treasure of the sacred books, so bountifully bestowed upon man by the Holy Spirit, should not lie neglected " (Council of Trent). She has proscribed that a considerable portion of them shall be read and piously reflected upon by all her ministers in the daily office of the sacred' psalmody. She has ordered that in all cathedral churches, in monasteries, and in other convents in which study can be conveniently pursued, they shall be expounded and interpreted by capable men ; and she has strictly commanded that her children shall be fed with the saving words of the Gospel at least on Sundays and solemn feasts. Moreover, it is owing to the wisdom

and exertions of the Church that there has always been continued, from century to century, that cultivation’ of Holy Scripture which has been so remarkable and has borne such ample fruit.’..-A--. ; 0 Vii