structing the faithful, exhorted them in these words :-"Be ye subject to every human creature for God's sake; whether it be to the king as excelling, or to the governors as sent by him, for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of the good; for so is the will of God, that by doing well you may silence the ignorance of foolish men." The Catholic Church being directed by these precepts, the most renowned champions of the Christian name replied to the Gentiles when raging against them, as enemies of the empire, with furious hatred; we are all constantly praying that all the emperors may enjoy long life, quiet government, a loyal household, a brave army, a faithful senate, an honest people, and general tranquillity. The Bishops of Rome, successors of Peter, have not ceased to inculcate this doctrine, especially to missionaries, lest any ill will should be excited against the professors of the Catholic faith, in the minds of those who are enemies of the Christian name. We pass over the illustrious proofs of this fact, preserved in the records of ancient Roman Pontiffs; of which yourselves are not ignorant. We think proper, notwithstanding, to remind you of a late admonition of the most wise Pope Benedict XIV., who, in his regulations for the English missions, which are likewise applicable to you, speaks thus:-" The Vicars apostolic2 are to take diligent care that the missionaries behave on all occasions with integrity and decorum, and thus become good models to others, and particularly that they be always ready to celebrate the sacred offices, to communicate proper instructions to the people, and to comfort the sick with their assistance; that they by all means avoid public assemblies of idle men and taverns. The Vicars 1 Tertullian in Apologet., chap. 30. 2 The Roman Catholic Bishops in England, being without Sees in that kingdom, are not ordinaries. They are denominated from some of the ancient flourishing Sees mostly in the Ottoman dominions, and, deriving their jurisdiction entirely from the Apostolical See, they are styled Vicars Apostolic, or Apostolic Vicars. This is the case also in Scotland, Holland, and some other Protestant States. themselves are particularly charged to punish in such manner as they can, but severely, all those who do not speak of the public government with respect." England herself can witness the deep-rooted impressions such admonitions have made on the minds of Catholics. It is well known that in the late war, which had extended to the greater part of America, when most flourishing provinces, inhabited almost by persons separated from the Catholic Church, had renounced the Government of the King of Great Britain, the province of Canada alone, filled as it is with almost innumerable Catholics, although artfully tempted, and not yet forgetful of the old French Government, remained most faithful in its allegiance to England. Do you, most excellent prelates, frequently converse on these principles; often remind your suffragan prelates of them; when preaching to your people, exhort them again and again to honour all men, to love the brotherhood, to fear God, to honour the king. Those duties of a Christian are to be cherished in every kingdom and State, but particularly in your own of Great Britain and Ireland, where, from the benevolence of a most wise king and other most excellent rulers of those kingdoms towards Catholics, no cruel and grievous burden is imposed; and Catholics themselves experience a mild and gentle government. If you pursue this line of conduct unanimously, if you act in the spirit of charity, if, while you direct the people of the Lord, you have nothing in view but the salvation of souls, adversaries will be ashamed (we repeat it) to calumniate, and will freely acknowledge that the Catholic faith is of heavenly descent, and calculated not only to procure a blessed life, but likewise, as St. Augustin observes in his 138th letter, addressed to Marcellinus, to promote the most lasting peace of this earthly city, inasmuch as it is the safest prop and shield of kingdoms. Let those, who say (the words are those of the holy doctor) that the doctrine of Christ is hostile to the republic, produce an army of such soldiers as the doctrine of Christ has required; let them furnish such inhabitants of provinces, such husbands, such wives, such parents, such children, such masters, such servants, such kings, such judges, finally, such payers of debts, and collectors of the revenue, as the doctrine of Christ enjoins; and then they may dare to assert that it is inimical to the republic: rather let them not hesitate to acknowledge that it is, when practised, of great advantage to the republic. The same holy doctor, and all the other fathers of the Church, with one voice, most clearly demonstrate, by invincible arguments, that the whole of this salutary doctrine cannot exist with permanent consistency and stability; or flourish, except in the Catholic Society, which is spread and preserved all over the world by communion with the See of Rome as a sacred bond of union, divinely connecting both. From our very high esteem and affection for you, we earnestly wish that the great God may very long preserve you safe. Farewell. Rome, June 23, 1791. As your Lordship's most affectionate brother, L. CARDINAL ANTONELLI, Prefect. To the Lords Archbishops of the Kingdom of Ireland. From an audience had of his Holiness on the 9th day of June, 1791. The Archbishops metropolitans of the kingdom of Ireland represented to his Holiness that, from the ignorance or malice of some persons, certain expressions in the form of the oath prescribed in the Roman Ritual to be taken by the Bishops at their consecration, and by Archbishops on receiving the pall, have been misinterpreted, which has added new perplexities to those which they daily experience in a kingdom where the Catholic faith is not the religion of the State: wherefore, they humbly requested, if it should appear expedient to his Holiness, that he would vouchsafe to apply a remedy by some act of his apostolical vigilance. His Holiness, on this report being made to him by me, the underwritten, all circumstances of the case maturely considered, was graciously pleased to grant that the Bishops of the kingdom of Ireland, at their consecration, and the Archbishops on receiving the pall, may use the same form of oath, which was taken by the Archbishop of Mohilow,' in the empire of the Moscovites, by permission of his said Holiness, which is as follows: Oath. I, N. N., &c., as in the Roman Pontifical, to the clause: All heretics, schismatics, and rebels, against our said Lord, and his successors aforesaid, I will, to the utmost of my power, prosecute and oppose (Bishop of Cloyne's translation), which is entirely omitted; afterwards the words, the Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for propagating the Faith are substituted instead of the Cardinal Proponent in the Congregation of the Sacred Council. The form concludes with these words:I will observe all and every one of these things the more inviolably, as I am firmly convinced that there is nothing contained in them which can be contrary to the fidelity I owe to the most serene King of Great Britain and Ireland, and to his successors to the throne. So help me God, and those holy Gospels of God! Thus I promise, and engage. I, N. N., Archbishop or Bishop, &c. Dated at Rome, in the house of the said Sacred Congregation, the 23d day of June, 1791. (Seal.) L. CARDINAL ANTONELLI, Prefect. Addition to the Romish Catechism. It is observed, in the preceding summary, that Sir J. Hippisley suggested to the Roman Catholic Prelates of Ireland, 1 Mohilow was erected into an Archbishopric, with a Chapter, by the present Pope. The first Archbishop, Stanislaus Siestrzencewez, was appointed in a consistory at Rome, December 21, 1783, and is still living. the introduction of certain addenda to the ordinary Catechism of their Communion, inculcating the civil and social duties of a good subject, as connected with the obligations of religion, and that the suggestion was adopted. The following addenda was, in consequence, approved in a general meeting of the Irish Roman Catholic Prelacy, and ordered to be incorporated in the Catechism taught universally in the Roman Church throughout Ireland. Additional Questions and Answers to the General Catechism recommended by the Roman Catholic Bishops of Ireland in the year 1800. Lesson 17th.-On the Fourth Commandment. Question. What are the duties of subjects to the temporal Powers?—Answer. To be subject to them, and to honour and obey them, not only for wrath, but also for conscience-sake; for it is the will of God. 1 Pet. 2 and Rom. 13. Does the Scripture require any other duty of subjects ?— Yes, to pray for Kings, and for all who are in high station, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. 1 Tim. 2. Is it sinful to resent or combine against the established Authorities, or to speak with contempt or disrespect of those who rule over us?—Yes; St. Paul says, Let every soul be subject to the higher powers: he that resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist purchase to themselves damnation. Rom. 13. What are the chief duties of masters to their servants, apprentices, and all others under their care?-To lead them to God by word and example, to see that they be exact in their religious duties, to treat them with justice and humanity, and to correct and reprove them when necessary. What does St. Paul say to masters ?-Masters, do to your servants that which is just and equitable, knowing that you also have a master in Heaven. Coloss. iv., 1. What are the chief duties of servants and apprentices to |