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(whatever it is that springs up) may be both exposed without any prevarication, and condemned without any delay. But we must compare the opinions only of those Fathers, who living, teaching, remaining holily, wisely, and constantly in the Communion of the Catholic Faith, deserved either to die full of faith in CHrist, or to gain a happy martyrdom for CHRIST. These, however, we must believe, with this understanding, that whatever either all, or the majority, as in a council of masters agreeing together, have confirmed by openly, frequently, constantly receiving, holding, and delivering in one and the same sense, this should be regarded as indisputable, certain, and confirmed. But whatever opinions any one, be he ever so learned and holy, be he Bishop, Confessor, or Martyr, hath advanced beside all, or at least contrary to all, this should be regarded as his own peculiar, secret, and private opinion, and be distinguished from the authority of a common, public, and universal decision; lest, with the greatest peril of everlasting salvation, after the irreligious custom of heretics and schismatics, we cast aside the ancient truth of universal doctrine, and adopt the novel error of one individual.

And lest, perchance, any should believe that he may rashly despise the holy and Catholic consent of the blessed Fathers, the Apostle says, in his First Epistle to the Corinthians-And GOD hath placed in His Church, first "Apostles," of whom he was one; secondly, "Prophets," as we read in the Acts of the Apostles that Agabus was; thirdly, "Doctors," who are now called preachers, whom this same Apostle sometimes called Prophets, because by them the mysteries of the Prophets are interpreted unto the people. Whoever, therefore, despiseth these, placed by Divine appointment in the Church of GoD, in different times and places, when they agree in CHRIST touching the interpretation of any one Catholic doctrine, despiseth not man, but GOD. And the same Apostle entreats us most earnestly not to differ from this truth-speaking unity of the Fathers, when he says, "But I beseech you, brethren, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you but be ye perfect in the same doctrine, and in the same mind." But if any have separated himself from the communion of their decision, let him hearken to this passage of the Apostle, "He is not the GoD of dissension, but of peace”—i. e., not his GoD who hath separated himself from the unity of consent, but theirs, who have remained in the peace of consent; as I teach, said he, in all Churches of the Saints, i. e., Catholics, which are on this account holy, because they remain in the communion of the faith. And lest haply any should pass by all the rest, and claim that he only be believed, he says, a little after, "What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only ?"* And

* 1 Cor. xiv. 36.

lest this should be received as hastily said, he adds, "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the LORD." What are these commands, but that, if any one be a prophet, or spiritual, i. e., a teacher of spiritual things, he should with the greatest eagerness desire equality and unity; so that he prefers not his own opinion to those of others, and do not depart from the consent of all. He who is ignorant of these commands, says he, will be ignorant, i. e., he who learns not what he does not know, or despises it when he has learnt it, will be ignorant; i. e., will be regarded unworthy of being numbered by GoD among those united in the faith, and kept equal by humility; and than this, I know no more grievous evil that can be imagined. This however, according to the Apostle's threat, we know, came upon that Julian the Pelagian, who either neglected to unite himself to the consent of his colleagues, or presumed to separate himself from it. But now it is time for me to adduce the promised example, where and how the opinions of the Holy Fathers have been collected, in order that the rule of the Church's faith might be settled by the decree and authority of a Council. And that I may do this the more advantageously, I will here conclude this Commonitory, so that I may have a fresh beginning for the subsequent remarks I have to make.

The Children's Corner.

THE THREE GREEN BRANCHES.

THERE was once upon a time a hermit, who lived in a wood at the foot of a mountain, and spent his time in prayer and in good works; and every evening it was his custom to pour, for the love of mercy, a few buckets of water upon the mountain. Many wild animals drank of this water, and many plants were refreshed by it, for on the heights there blew constantly a strong wind, which dried up both earth and air, so that the wild birds which fear mankind and fly in high circles, were obliged to seek far with their sharp eyes for wherewithal to quench their thirst. Now because the hermit was so good and holy, there went with him always up the mountain his guardian angel in a visible form, who watched over his steps, and when his work was finished, brought him food to eat, like that prophet, who, at the bidding of GOD, was fed by

ravens.

When the hermit had lived thus piously to a good old age, it happened that he saw one day, far off, a poor sinner led to the

gallows; and when he saw it he said to himself, "Now that man has got what he deserves." In the evening when he was carrying the water up the mountain, the angel who always accompanied him, did not appear, or bring him afterwards any food. The hermit therefore was frightened, examined his heart, and tried to remember of what sin he could have been guilty, but he could think of none. He neither ate nor drank, but threw himself on the earth, and prayed day and night. And it came to pass, as he was in the wood, weeping and lamenting bitterly, he heard a little bird singing so joyfully that it made him still more troubled, and he said, "You sing thus gladly because no one is angry with you. Ah! if you could but tell me in what I have offended, that so I might repent, and my heart might cease to be so sad and heavy." Then the bird began to speak, and said, "You have been unjust, in that you have condemned a poor sinner who was brought to the gallows; but if you repent of your sin, and will submit to the chastisement which Heaven may send you, you will be forgiven." Thereupon the guardian angel stood by the hermit, with a dry branch in his hand, and said, "You shall carry this dry branch till it shoots forth three green boughs; and every night, before you sleep, you shall lay it under your head. You shall beg your bread from door to door, and never remain longer than one night in the same house. That is the punishment which is laid upon you."

So the hermit took the piece of wood, and went back into the wide world which he had not seen for such a time. He ate nothing and drank nothing, except what was given him at the door, but many petitions were not heard, and many doors were closed to him, so that he often went whole days without a crumb of bread. Once he had gone from door to door, and no one had given him anything—no one would lodge him for the night; so he went out into a wide wood, and found at last a poor hovel, in which an old woman was sitting. "Good woman," he said, "I pray you lodge me for this night in your house." But she answered, “No, I dare not do so if I would. I have three sons who are wicked and wild, and if they came home from their robberies, and found you here, they would murder us both."

Then the hermit said that if she would only let him remain, he was sure that they would do neither him nor her any injury; and the old woman was compassionate, and would no longer refuse his request. The man therefore came in, laid himself down under the stairs, and put the bit of stick under his head. When the old woman saw this, she asked him wherefore he did so, and he told her that he was bound to carry this branch about with him as a punishment, and to use it for a pillow at night, because he had committed a sin in saying that a poor sinner whom he saw led to execution, deserved his sentence. When she heard this, the old woman began to weep, saying, "Alas! if a single word is so

punished, how will it be with my sons, when they come to be judged for their sins?"

About midnight the robbers came home, hallooing, and making a great noise. They kindled a fire, and when the hovel was lighted by it, and they saw a man lying under the steps, they were very angry, and called out to their mother, "Who is this man? Have we not forbidden you to let any one in ?" But the mother answered, "Let him alone, he is a poor sinner who is punished for his sins." The robbers asked what it was that he had done, and called out to the old man to tell them all his sins. Then the hermit arose, and related to them how by a single word he had so sinned as to incur the anger of Heaven, and to deserve this punishment. The hearts of the robbers were so moved by his story, and their consciences so strongly stirred, that they thought with terror of their past lives, and began to atone for them by sincere repentance. And after they had confessed their sins to the hermit, the latter laid himself down to sleep again, under the stairs. In the morning he was found dead, and out of the dry wood on which his head rested there had sprung forth three green and living boughs. So had he been received again into mercy.

The Cabinet.

ALL THINGS SERIOUS AROUND US. -Ah, my friends, while we laugh, all things are serious round about us: GoD is serious, Who exerciseth such patience towards us; CHRIST is serious, Who shed His blood for us; the HOLY GHOST is serious, Who striveth against the obstinacy of our hearts; the Holy Scriptures bring to our ears the most serious and important things in the whole world; the holy Sacraments represent the most serious and awful matters; the whole creation is serious in serving GOD and us; all that are in heaven and hell are serious. How, then, can a man that hath one foot in the grave jest and laugh -SIR FRANCIS WALSINGHAM.

THE HAPPINESS OF A CHARITABLE FRAME OF MIND.-How blessed a state is it to enjoy a calm, whilst the world around us is sailing in a storm; to sit free from the torments of anger and revenge, whilst others burn with resentment and indignation; to have the mind at liberty to look into itself, and to look up with pleasure to its great Creator, whilst others sacrifice both their reason and their religion

to transports of passion. It is this happy temper alone that can bring us to expect our great change with any satisfaction. How happy a condition will it be to be found at peace with ourselves and the world, when our great Master summons us to appear! And who would not dread to be called from quarrels, contentions, and strifes, to stand before the judgment seat of GoD?-BP. SHERLOCK.

Poetry.

GOD PRESERVE THE QUEEN.
How glorious is thy calling,
My happy Fatherland,
While all the thrones are falling

In righteousness to stand!
Amid the earthquakes having thus
To rest in pastures green-
Then, God be praised Who helpeth

us,

And-GoD preserve the Queen!

How glorious is thy calling!
In sun and moon and stars
To see the signs appalling
Of prodigies and wars,-

Yet by thy grand example still
From lies the world to wean,
Then, Gon be praised who guards
from ill,

And-GoD preserve the Queen!

Within thy sacred border

Amid the sounding seas, Religion, Right, and Order, Securely dwelt at ease;

And if we lift this beacon bright

Among the nations seen,

We bless the LORD Who loves the right,

And-GoD preserve the Queen!

Fair pastures and still waters

Are ours withal to bless
The thronging sons and daughters
Of exile and distress;

For who so free as English hearts

Are, shall be, and have been? Then, GOD be thanked on our parts,

And-GoD preserve the Queen!

Though strife and fear and madness
Are raging all around,
There still is peace and gladness
On Britain's holy ground:
But not to us the praise-to us
Our glory is to lean

On Him Who giveth freely thus,
And-GoD preserve the Queen!

O nation greatly favoured,
If ever thou shouldst bring
A sacrifice well savoured

Of praise to God the King,
Now, now let all thy children raise
In faith and love serene,
The loyal patriot hymn of praise
Of-GoD preserve the Queen!

MARTIN F. TUPPER.

Miscellaneous.

CARRIER AT NANTES.-The miserable victims at Nantes were either slain with poniards in the prisons, or carried out in a vessel and drowned by wholesale in the Loire. On one occasion a hundred priests were taken out together, stripped of their clothes, and precipitated into the waves. Women big with children, infants of eight, nine, and ten years of age were thrown together into the stream, on the sides of which men armed with sabres were placed to cut off their heads if the waves should throw them undrowned on the shore. On one occasion, by orders of Carrier, twenty-three of the royalists-on another, twenty-four-were guillotined together without any trial. The executioner remonstrated, but

in vain. Among them were many children of seven and eight years of age, and seven women. The execu. tioner died two or three days after with horror at what he himself had done. So great was the multitude of captives who were brought in on all sides, that the executioners declared themselves exhausted with fatigue, and a new method of execution was devised. Two persons of different sexes, generally an old man and an old woman, bereft of every species of dress, were bound together and thrown into the river. It was ascertained by authentic documents, that six hundred children had perished by that inhuman species of death; and such was the quantity of corpses accumulated in the Loire, that the water became infected. The scenes in the prisons which preceded these executions exceeded all that romance had figured of the terrible. On one occasion the inspector entered the prison to seek for a child, where the evening before had left above three hundred infants; they were all gone in the morning, having been drowned the previous night. To all the representations of the citizens in favour of these innocent victims, Carrier only replied, "They are all vipers, let them be stifled." Three hundred young women of Nantes were drowned by him in one night; so far from having had any share in political discussions, they were of the unfortunate class who live by the pleasure of others. On another occasion, five hundred children of both sexes, the eldest of whom was not fourteen years old, were led out to the same spot to be shot. The littleness of their stature caused most of the bullets at their first discharge to fly over their heads; they broke their bonds, rushed into the ranks of the executioners, clung round their knees, and sought for mercy. But nothing could soften the assassins. They put them to death even while lying at their feet. One woman was delivered of an infant on the quay ; hardly were the agonies of childbirth over, when she was pushed with the new-born innocent into the fatal boat. Fifteen thousand persons perished at Nantes under the hands of the executioner, or of disease in prison, in one month. The total number of victims of the reign of terror in that town exceeded thirty thousand.Leaves from the First French Revolution.

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